What are the main factors that influence a Test Engineer I's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Test Engineer 's salary?

A Test Engineer 's salary grows with experience: a Test Engineer I (0-2 years)earns $72,004, a Test Engineer II (2-4 years)earns $80,985, a Test Engineer III (4-7 years)earns $113,562, a Test Engineer IV (7+ years)earns $137,060, a Test Engineer V (7-10 years)earns $149,540,

What are the highest paying states for a Test Engineer I?

Test Engineer I salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Test Engineer I roles are District of Columbia $78,723, California $78,424, Massachusetts $77,379. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Test Engineer roles make?

Salaries for Test Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Test Engineer V: $147,665; Test Engineer IV: $135,341; Automation Test Engineer: $121,891; Test Engineer: $112,521; Senior Test Engineer: $112,190.

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Test Engineer I Salary in Delaware

How much does a Test Engineer I make in Delaware?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Test Engineer I in Delaware is $72,004 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $81,770
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $66,887 to $77,116
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62,228

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Test Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$77,116	$6,426	$1,483	$37
Average	$72,004	$6,000	$1,385	$35
25th Percentile	$66,887	$5,574	$1,286	$32

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Key Factors That Influence Test Engineer I Salaries

A Test 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.

How Experience Level Affects Test Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Test 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:

Test Engineer I (0-2 years): $72,004
Test Engineer II (2-4 years): $80,985
Test Engineer III (4-7 years): $113,562
Test Engineer IV (7+ years): $137,060
Test Engineer V (7-10 years): $149,540

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Test Engineer I	0-2 years	$72,004
Test Engineer II	2-4 years	$80,985
Test Engineer III	4-7 years	$113,562
Test Engineer IV	7+ years	$137,060
Test Engineer V	7-10 years	$149,540

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Test Engineer I Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Test Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $78,723.
California: $78,424.
Massachusetts: $77,379.

District of Columbia $78,723 California $78,424 Massachusetts $77,379 Washington $77,095 New Jersey $77,066 Alaska $76,967 Connecticut $75,986 New York $75,587

Hawaii $74,315 Rhode Island $73,718 Maryland $73,312 Minnesota $72,758 Colorado $72,544 Illinois $72,473 Oregon $72,203 Delaware $72,004

New Hampshire $71,879 Virginia $71,599 Pennsylvania $70,781 Nevada $70,369 North Dakota $70,234 Michigan $70,020 Wisconsin $69,942 Vermont $69,786

Texas $69,352 Maine $69,323 Arizona $69,281 Ohio $69,231 Georgia $68,577 Indiana $68,250 Wyoming $68,186 Utah $68,086

Iowa $68,044 Kansas $67,702 Louisiana $67,603 North Carolina $67,567 Missouri $67,553 Florida $67,276 Montana $67,126 Nebraska $66,984

Kentucky $66,906 South Carolina $66,622 Tennessee $66,444 Idaho $66,373 New Mexico $65,854 Oklahoma $65,740 Alabama $65,320 South Dakota $64,617

Arkansas $64,233 West Virginia $64,026 Mississippi $63,408

Top Paying Cities for Test Engineer Is

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:

Lincoln: $71,680
Little Creek: $72,204
Magnolia: $72,101

Lincoln, DE $71,680 Little Creek, DE $72,204 Magnolia, DE $72,101 Milford, DE $71,862 Marydel, DE $71,980 Millsboro, DE $71,379 Millville, DE $71,489 Milton, DE $71,613

Nassau, DE $71,665 Ocean View, DE $71,477 Rehoboth Beach, DE $71,614 Seaford, DE $71,655 Selbyville, DE $71,358 Smyrna, DE $72,254 Viola, DE $71,922 Woodside, DE $72,115

Bear, DE $71,949 Newark, DE $71,922 Claymont, DE $72,069 Delaware City, DE $71,993 Hockessin, DE $71,915 Kirkwood, DE $71,980 Middletown, DE $72,008 Montchanin, DE $71,931

New Castle, DE $71,942 Odessa, DE $72,043 Port Penn, DE $72,091 Rockland, DE $71,939 Saint Georges, DE $71,985 Townsend, DE $72,096 Winterthur, DE $71,947 Lewes, DE $71,641

Wilmington, DE $71,919 Dover, DE $72,204 Dover Afb, DE $71,824 Bethany Beach, DE $71,402 Bethel, DE $71,476 Bridgeville, DE $71,644 Camden Wyoming, DE $72,001 Cheswold, DE $72,181

Clayton, DE $72,183 Dagsboro, DE $71,352 Delmar, DE $71,238 Ellendale, DE $71,454 Felton, DE $71,856 Fenwick Island, DE $71,368 Frankford, DE $71,243 Frederica, DE $71,927

Georgetown, DE $71,325 Greenwood, DE $71,656 Harbeson, DE $71,401 Harrington, DE $71,765 Hartly, DE $71,988 Houston, DE $71,663 Kenton, DE $72,187 Laurel, DE $71,282

Yorklyn, DE $71,936

Test Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Test Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $80,536. While startup companies pay approximate $68,109.

Test Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size	Employees	Average Salary
Startup	1~50	$68,109
Growth Stage	51~500	$72,036
Established	501~5000	$77,773
Enterprise	5000+	$80,536

Test Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Test Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Test Engineer positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Test Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Test Engineer I

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services	$90,005	$43.0	25%
Biotechnology	$86,405	$42.0	20%
Internet	$86,405	$42.0	20%
Pharmaceuticals	$86,405	$42.0	20%
Software & Networking	$86,405	$42.0	20%

Test Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Test 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.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

$66,887

Average $72,004/year

$77,116

$5,574

Average $6,000/month

$6,426

$1,286

Average $1,385/week

$1,483

$32

Average $35/hour

$37

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$77,116	$6,426	$1,483	$37
Average	$72,004	$6,000	$1,385	$35
25th Percentile	$66,887	$5,574	$1,286	$32

Test Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Test Engineer I

Test Engineer II

Test Engineer III

For a Test Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Test Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $80,985 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Test Engineer I

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