As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Technical Support Engineer I in Virginia is $66,892 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.
However, a Technical Support Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Technical Support Engineer I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $72,632 | $6,053 | $1,397 | $35 |
| Average | $66,892 | $5,574 | $1,286 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,179 | $4,932 | $1,138 | $28 |
ManTech International - Wolf Trap, VA
ManTech International - Wolf Trap, VA
Twinthread - Charlottesville, VA
Michael Page - Richmond, VA
A Technical Support 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 Technical Support 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Support Engineer I | 0-2 years | $66,892 |
| Technical Support Engineer II | 2-4 years | $80,341 |
| Technical Support Engineer III | 4-7 years | $106,099 |
| Technical Support Engineer IV | 7+ years | $123,367 |
| Technical Support Engineer V | 7-10 years | $151,692 |
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 Technical Support Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Technical Support Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $74,818. While startup companies pay approximate $63,274.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $63,274 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $66,922 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $72,251 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $74,818 |
For Technical Support Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 120% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Technical Support Engineer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Technical Support Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $100,338 | $48.0 | 50% |
| Biotechnology | $90,304 | $43.0 | 35% |
| Financial Services | $86,960 | $42.0 | 30% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $83,615 | $40.0 | 25% |
| Software & Networking | $83,615 | $40.0 | 25% |
Understanding how a Technical Support 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $72,632 | $6,053 | $1,397 | $35 |
| Average | $66,892 | $5,574 | $1,286 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,179 | $4,932 | $1,138 | $28 |
For a Technical Support Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Technical Support Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $80,341 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Technical Support Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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