As of April 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Release Engineer I in the United States is $36, which translates to an annual salary of about $73,906.
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 Release 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Release 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Engineer I | 0-2 years | $73,906 |
| Release Engineer II | 2-4 years | $99,336 |
| Release Engineer III | 4-7 years | $123,009 |
| Release Engineer IV | 7+ years | $139,236 |
| Release Engineer V | 7-10 years | $171,945 |
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 Release Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | 13.04% |
| Product Quality | 1.84% |
| Linux | 1.09% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Continuous Improvement
|
$84,253 |
14%
|
|
Scheduling
|
$84,253 |
14%
|
|
AWS
|
$82,775 |
12%
|
|
Coordination
|
$82,036 |
11%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$82,036 |
11%
|
|
Leadership
|
$81,297 |
10%
|
Understanding how a Release 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 April 01, 2026Salaries for a Release Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $83,686 in 2023 to around $83,697 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Release Engineer I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $83,686 |
| 2024 | $84,338 |
| 2025 | $83,697 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Responsible for software builds and releases. Responsible for the design and development of builds, scripts, installation procedures, and systems including source code control and issue tracking. Works closely with a quality assurance team to ensure final version is up to organizational standards. Requires a bachelor's degree. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.
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.
Customer Service: 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.
Product Quality: Product quality refers to how well a product satisfies customer needs, serves its purpose and meets industry standards. When evaluating product quality, businesses consider several key factors, including whether a product solves a problem, works efficiently or suits customers' purposes.
Linux: Managing a system's hardware and resources using a Unix-like open-source operating system.
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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