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Reliability Engineer II Salary in the United States

How much does a Reliability Engineer II make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Reliability Engineer II in the United States is $93,329 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.

However, a Reliability Engineer II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $104,467
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $86,474 to $99,159
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $80,233

Key Factors That Influence Reliability Engineer II Salaries

A Reliability 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Reliability Engineer II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Reliability 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:

  • Reliability Engineer I (0-2 years): $78,040
  • Reliability Engineer II (2-4 years): $93,329
  • Reliability Engineer III (4-7 years): $112,538
  • Reliability Engineer IV (7+ years): $137,019
  • Reliability Engineer V (7-10 years): $161,666
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Reliability Engineer I0-2 years$78,040
Reliability Engineer II2-4 years$93,329
Reliability Engineer III4-7 years$112,538
Reliability Engineer IV7+ years$137,019
Reliability Engineer V7-10 years$161,666

Top Paying Cities for Reliability Engineer II

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: $117,716
  • San Francisco: $116,427
  • Oakland: $113,973

What Skills Can Increase a Reliability Engineer II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 23.76% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Mechanical Engineering (Mentioned in 1.98% Job Postings): Mechanical engineering is the discipline that applies engineering, physics, engineering mathematics, and materials science principles to design, analyze, manufacture, and maintain mechanical systems. It is one of the oldest and broadest of the engineering disciplines. The mechanical engineering field requires an understanding of core areas including mechanics, dynamics, thermodynamics, materials science, structural analysis, and electricity. In addition to these core principles, mechanical engineers use tools such as computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and product life cycle management to design and analyze manufacturing plants, industrial equipment and machinery, heating and cooling systems, transport systems, aircraft, watercraft, robotics, medical devices, weapons, and others. It is the branch of engineering that involves the design, production, and operation of machinery.
  • Agile (Mentioned in 1.41% Job Postings): Agile is a development process where feedback is continuously gathered from users to create the best user experience.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 23.76%
Mechanical Engineering 1.98%
Agile 1.41%

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 Reliability Engineer II's salary.

  • Test Design: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Program Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Test Design $100,795
8%
Program Management $97,062
4%
Products and Services $97,062
4%

Reliability Engineer II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Reliability Engineer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $104,476. While startup companies pay approximate $88,385.

Reliability Engineer II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $88,385
Growth Stage 51~500 $93,477
Established 501~5000 $100,891
Enterprise 5000+ $104,476

Reliability Engineer II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Reliability Engineer II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Reliability Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Reliability Engineer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Reliability Engineer II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$102,662$49.010%
Biotechnology$102,662$49.010%
Chemicals$102,662$49.010%
Energy & Utilities$102,662$49.010%
Financial Services$102,662$49.010%

How Education impacts an Reliability Engineer II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Reliability Engineer II 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 Reliability Engineer II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $92,208 and $96,113.

Reliability Engineer II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Reliability Engineer II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 51.0%
High School 44.9%
Associates 4.1%
Bachelors 51.0%
Masters 44.9%
Doctorate 4.1%

Reliability Engineer II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Reliability 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 August 01, 2026
$86,474
Average $93,329/year
$99,159
$7,206
Average $7,777/month
$8,263
$1,663
Average $1,795/week
$1,907
$42
Average $45/hour
$48
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $99,159 $8,263 $1,907 $48
Average $93,329 $7,777 $1,795 $45
25th Percentile $86,474 $7,206 $1,663 $42

Reliability Engineer II Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Reliability Engineer II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Reliability Engineer III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $112,538 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Reliability Engineer II

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

Common company salaries for Reliability Engineer II

Here are companies hiring for Reliability Engineer II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Reliability Engineer II

1. Where can a Reliability Engineer II earn the most?

A Reliability 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 Reliability Engineer II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Reliability Engineer II is $117,716.

2. What is the highest pay for Reliability Engineer II?

The highest pay for Reliability Engineer II is $104,467.

3. What is the lowest pay for Reliability Engineer II?

The lowest pay for Reliability Engineer II is $80,233.

4. What are the responsibilities of Reliability Engineer II?

Analyzes and evaluates the reliability of products, equipment, components, and processes using engineering methodologies and tools. Develops the methods and measures utilized for reliability analysis based on product specifications, tolerances, or operating standards. Utilizes analysis techniques like FMEA, fault tree, and root cause analysis to identify problems. Oversees testing activities and reviews results. Creates risk-based failure mitigation plans. Proposes new or revised product designs, manufacturing processes and testing specifications that utilize best practices and will increase reliability. Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering. Typically reports to an engineering manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Reliability Engineer II?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Reliability Engineer II roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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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