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Product Design Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Product Design Engineer I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Product Design Engineer I in the United States is $78,961 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

However, a Product Design Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $88,336
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $75,189 to $83,868
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $71,755
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Product Design Engineer I Salaries

A Product Design Engineer I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Product Design Engineer I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Product Design Engineer I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Product Design Engineer I (0-2 years): $78,961
  • Product Design Engineer II (2-4 years): $89,568
  • Product Design Engineer III (4-7 years): $111,965
  • Product Design Engineer IV (7+ years): $136,712
  • Product Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $160,156
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Product Design Engineer I0-2 years$78,961
Product Design Engineer II2-4 years$89,568
Product Design Engineer III4-7 years$111,965
Product Design Engineer IV7+ years$136,712
Product Design Engineer V7-10 years$160,156
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How Do Product Design Engineer Is Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Product Design Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $87,426.
  • California: $87,094.
  • Massachusetts: $85,933.

Top Paying Cities for Product Design Engineer I

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $99,594
  • San Francisco: $98,503
  • Oakland: $96,427

What Skills Can Increase a Product Design Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 17.02% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 0.88% Job Postings): A continual improvement process, also often called a continuous improvement process (abbreviated as CIP or CI), is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek "incremental" improvement over time or "breakthrough" improvement all at once. Delivery (customer valued) processes are constantly evaluated and improved in the light of their efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility. Some see CIPs as a meta-process for most management systems (such as business process management, quality management, project management, and program management). W. Edwards Deming, a pioneer of the field, saw it as part of the 'system' whereby feedback from the process and customer were evaluated against organisational goals. The fact that it can be called a management process does not mean that it needs to be executed by 'management'; but rather merely that it makes decisions about the implementation of the delivery process and the design of the delivery process itself.
  • CNC (Mentioned in 0.49% Job Postings): Numerical control is the automated control of machining tools by means of a computer. A CNC machine processes a piece of material to meet specifications by following coded programmed instructions
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 17.02%
Continuous Improvement 0.88%
CNC 0.49%
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What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Product Design Engineer I's salary.

  • Square: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Networking: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Brand Design: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Square $82,909
5%
Networking $82,909
5%
Brand Design $82,119
4%
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Product Design Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Product Design Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $88,392. While startup companies pay approximate $74,778.

Product Design Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $74,778
Growth Stage 51~500 $79,086
Established 501~5000 $85,358
Enterprise 5000+ $88,392

Product Design Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Product Design Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Product Design Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Product Design Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Product Design Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$90,805$44.015%
Pharmaceuticals$88,436$43.012%
Biotechnology$86,857$42.010%
Energy & Utilities$85,278$41.08%
Aerospace & Defense$82,909$40.05%

How Education impacts an Product Design Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Product Design Engineer I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Product Design Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $76,251 and $80,097.

Product Design Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Product Design Engineer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 5.3%
Associates 10.6%
Bachelors 56.2%
Masters 25.2%
Doctorate 2.5%
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Product Design Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Product Design Engineer I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$75,189
Average $78,961/year
$83,868
$6,266
Average $6,580/month
$6,989
$1,446
Average $1,518/week
$1,613
$36
Average $38/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $83,868 $6,989 $1,613 $40
Average $78,961 $6,580 $1,518 $38
25th Percentile $75,189 $6,266 $1,446 $36

Product Design Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Product Design Engineer I

Next Role

Advancement

For a Product Design Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Product Design Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $89,568 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Product Design Engineer I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Product Design Engineer I

Here are companies hiring for Product Design Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Product Design Engineer I

1. Where can a Product Design Engineer I earn the most?

A Product Design Engineer I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Product Design Engineer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Product Design Engineer I is $99,594.

2. What is the highest pay for Product Design Engineer I?

The highest pay for Product Design Engineer I is $88,336.

3. What is the lowest pay for Product Design Engineer I?

The lowest pay for Product Design Engineer I is $71,755.

4. What are the responsibilities of Product Design Engineer I?

Designs, develops, and enhances new and existing products/product lines. Evaluates and recommends specifications and ensures products meet the technical and functional requirements. Recommends and follows reliable, efficient, and cost-effective procedures. Performs feasibility, functional, and quality testing of designs. Works with other members of the engineering staff to ensure project milestones are met and that projects are completed according to established timelines. Requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Product Design Engineer I?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Product Design Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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