As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Release Engineer II in the United States is $99,333 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.
However, a Release Engineer II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
AI Onboarding
A Release Engineer II'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 II'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 | $73,895 |
| Release Engineer II | 2-4 years | $99,333 |
| Release Engineer III | 4-7 years | $123,003 |
| Release Engineer IV | 7+ years | $139,224 |
| Release Engineer V | 7-10 years | $171,951 |
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 IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 4% |
| DevOps | 3.77% |
| Container | 2% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Networking
|
$111,253 |
12%
|
|
Coaching
|
$109,266 |
10%
|
|
Scrum
|
$107,280 |
8%
|
|
Debugging
|
$107,280 |
8%
|
|
Team Operations
|
$106,286 |
7%
|
|
Java
|
$106,286 |
7%
|
Release Engineer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $111,103. While startup companies pay approximate $93,960.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $93,960 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $99,377 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $107,291 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $111,103 |
For Release Engineer II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 72% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Release Engineer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Release Engineer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $124,166 | $60.0 | 25% |
| Energy & Utilities | $117,213 | $56.0 | 18% |
| Insurance | $111,253 | $53.0 | 12% |
| Chemicals | $109,266 | $53.0 | 10% |
| Financial Services | $109,266 | $53.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Release Engineer II'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 July 01, 2026For a Release Engineer II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Release Engineer III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $123,003 - a projected growth of 24% over your current level.
Salaries for a Release Engineer II can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $108,996 in 2023 to around $108,758 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Release Engineer II salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $108,996 |
| 2024 | $109,523 |
| 2025 | $108,758 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Release Engineer II and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Release Engineer II job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
A Release Engineer II'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 Release Engineer II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Release Engineer II is $125,289.
The highest pay for Release Engineer II is $118,829.
The lowest pay for Release Engineer II is $89,401.
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. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gains exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2 -4 years of related experience.
The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Release Engineer II roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
