As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Release Engineer V in the United States is $171,951 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $83.
However, a Release Engineer V's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Release Engineer V'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 V'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 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 |
| Release Engineering Manager | 10+ years | $148,259 |
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 Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 3.95% |
| Release Engineering | 3.69% |
| API | 1.98% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Team Operations
|
$208,061 |
21%
|
|
Flexibility
|
$201,183 |
17%
|
|
Kubernetes
|
$196,024 |
14%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$190,866 |
11%
|
|
Coordination
|
$185,707 |
8%
|
|
Products and Services
|
$183,988 |
7%
|
Release Engineer V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $192,326. While startup companies pay approximate $162,650.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $162,650 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $172,028 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $185,727 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $192,326 |
For Release Engineer V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Release Engineer positions in Software & Networking or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Release Engineer V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet | $240,731 | $116.0 | 40% |
| Financial Services | $223,536 | $107.0 | 30% |
| Biotechnology | $214,939 | $103.0 | 25% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $206,341 | $99.0 | 20% |
| Insurance | $197,744 | $95.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Release Engineer V'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 V, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Release Engineering Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $148,259 - a projected growth of -14% over your current level.
Salaries for a Release Engineer V can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $164,859 in 2023 to around $160,590 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Release Engineer V salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $164,859 |
| 2024 | $162,045 |
| 2025 | $160,590 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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A Release Engineer V'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 V earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Release Engineer V is $216,882.
The highest pay for Release Engineer V is $189,153.
The lowest pay for Release Engineer V is $155,529.
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. May provide consultation on complex projects. Requires a bachelor's degree. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience.
The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Release Engineer V roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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.)
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