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Reliability Engineer IV Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Reliability Engineer IV in the United States is $137,019 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $150,640
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $128,087 to $144,149
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $119,955

Key Factors That Influence Reliability Engineer IV Salaries

A Reliability Engineer IV'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 IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Reliability Engineer IV'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 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
  • Reliability Engineering Supervisor (10+ years): $125,306
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
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
Reliability Engineering Supervisor10+ years$125,306

Top Paying Cities for Reliability Engineer IV

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: $172,822
  • San Francisco: $170,930
  • Oakland: $167,328

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 23.49% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Preventative Maintenance (Mentioned in 2.11% Job Postings): Developing and implementing maintenance strategies to increase equipment life expectancy and avoid unplanned downtime.
  • Product Quality (Mentioned in 1.51% Job Postings): 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 23.49%
Preventative Maintenance 2.11%
Product Quality 1.51%

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 IV's salary.

  • Teamwork: Can increase your salary by up to 24%.
  • Systems Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Time Management: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Teamwork $169,904
24%
Systems Engineering $168,533
23%
Time Management $158,942
16%

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

Reliability Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $153,385. While startup companies pay approximate $129,760.

Reliability Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $129,760
Growth Stage 51~500 $137,237
Established 501~5000 $148,120
Enterprise 5000+ $153,385

Reliability Engineer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Reliability Engineer IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 39% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Reliability Engineer positions in Transportation or Media typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Reliability Engineer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Reliability Engineer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$164,423$79.020%
Pharmaceuticals$161,682$78.018%
Financial Services$157,572$76.015%
Aerospace & Defense$153,461$74.012%
Construction$150,721$72.010%

How Education impacts an Reliability Engineer IV's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Reliability Engineer IV 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 IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $136,052 and $141,635.

Reliability Engineer IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Reliability Engineer IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.8%
High School 39.3%
Associates 1.8%
Bachelors 39.3%
Masters 44.6%
Doctorate 14.3%

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

Understanding how a Reliability Engineer IV'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
$128,087
Average $137,019/year
$144,149
$10,674
Average $11,418/month
$12,012
$2,463
Average $2,635/week
$2,772
$62
Average $66/hour
$69
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $144,149 $12,012 $2,772 $69
Average $137,019 $11,418 $2,635 $66
25th Percentile $128,087 $10,674 $2,463 $62

Reliability Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Reliability Engineer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Reliability Engineer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $161,666 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Reliability Engineer IV

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

Common company salaries for Reliability Engineer IV

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

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FAQ about Reliability Engineer IV

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

A Reliability Engineer IV'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 IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Reliability Engineer IV is $172,822.

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

The highest pay for Reliability Engineer IV is $150,640.

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

The lowest pay for Reliability Engineer IV is $119,955.

4. What are the responsibilities of Reliability Engineer IV?

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. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

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

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Reliability Engineer IV roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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