As of May 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Production Engineer I in the United States is $38, which translates to an annual salary of about $79,061.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
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A Production 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Production 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Production Engineer I | 0-2 years | $79,061 |
| Production Engineer II | 2-4 years | $89,633 |
| Production Engineer III | 4-7 years | $100,017 |
| Production Engineer IV | 7+ years | $125,849 |
| Production Engineer V | 7-10 years | $144,606 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Production Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Problem Solving | 7.04% |
| Metal Fabrication | 2.14% |
| Microsoft Office | 1.71% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
ERP
|
$107,523 |
36%
|
|
Metal Fabrication
|
$98,036 |
24%
|
|
Salesforce
|
$91,711 |
16%
|
|
Manufacturing Engineering
|
$86,967 |
10%
|
|
Production Control
|
$86,967 |
10%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$86,967 |
10%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Production Engineer Is enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Production Engineer I with a Associate's Degree is between $73,914 and $77,633).
Production Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 10.4% |
| High School | 10.4% |
| Associates | 7.8% |
| Bachelors | 69.6% |
| Masters | 11.3% |
| Doctorate | 0.9% |
Understanding how a Production 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 May 01, 2026Salaries for a Production Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $68,679 in 2023 to around $68,694 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Production Engineer I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $68,679 |
| 2024 | $68,907 |
| 2025 | $68,694 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Production Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.
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Plans and designs methods to improve production processes. Reviews existing processes and develops solutions to increase productivity or reduce costs. Ensures compliance with approved production methods and quality standards. May require bachelor's degree in engineering. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Work is closely managed.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Problem Solving: Analyzing and identifying the root cause of problems and applying critical thinking skills to solve problems.
Metal Fabrication: Metal fabrication is defined as creating products or structures by cutting, bending, and/or assembling metal material.
Microsoft Office: Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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