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Transportation Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Transportation Engineer I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Transportation Engineer I in the United States is $68,465 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $78,537
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $63,629 to $73,737
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $59,226
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Transportation Engineer I Salaries

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

How Experience Level Affects Transportation Engineer I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Transportation 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:

  • Transportation Engineer I (0-2 years): $68,465
  • Transportation Engineer II (2-4 years): $87,215
  • Transportation Engineer III (4-7 years): $105,822
  • Transportation Engineer IV (7+ years): $123,018
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Transportation Engineer I0-2 years$68,465
Transportation Engineer II2-4 years$87,215
Transportation Engineer III4-7 years$105,822
Transportation Engineer IV7+ years$123,018
View as Graph

How Do Transportation 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 Transportation Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $75,804.
  • California: $75,517.
  • Massachusetts: $74,510.

Top Paying Cities for Transportation 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:

  • San Jose: $86,355
  • San Francisco: $85,409
  • Oakland: $83,609

What Skills Can Increase a Transportation Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 10.1% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 2.35% Job Postings): AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers.
  • Sustainability (Mentioned in 1.26% Job Postings): Sustainability is a societal goal that broadly aims for humans to safely co-exist on planet Earth over a long time. Specific definitions of sustainability are difficult to agree on and therefore vary in the literature and over time.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 10.1%
AutoCAD 2.35%
Sustainability 1.26%
See More Skills

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 Transportation Engineer I's salary.

  • Agile: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • RFI: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Sustainability: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Agile $80,789
18%
RFI $79,419
16%
Sustainability $79,419
16%
Get Latest Data

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

Transportation Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $76,512. While startup companies pay approximate $64,722.

Transportation Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $64,722
Growth Stage 51~500 $68,450
Established 501~5000 $73,883
Enterprise 5000+ $76,512

Transportation Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Transportation Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Transportation Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Transportation Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Transportation Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$89,004$43.030%
Aerospace & Defense$85,581$41.025%
Financial Services$82,158$39.020%
Internet$78,735$38.015%
Telecom$78,735$38.015%

How Education impacts a Transportation Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Transportation Engineer I 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 Transportation Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $62,261 and $65,329.

Transportation Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Transportation Engineer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.0%
High School 2.0%
Associates 0.7%
Bachelors 33.8%
Masters 59.6%
Doctorate 4.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Transportation 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 September 01, 2026
$63,629
Average $68,465/year
$73,737
$5,302
Average $5,705/month
$6,145
$1,224
Average $1,317/week
$1,418
$31
Average $33/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $73,737 $6,145 $1,418 $35
Average $68,465 $5,705 $1,317 $33
25th Percentile $63,629 $5,302 $1,224 $31

Transportation Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Transportation Engineer I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Transportation Engineer I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Civil Engineer II $90,282 32%
Structural Engineer II $87,215 27%
Transportation Engineer II $87,215 27%

Most common benefits for Transportation Engineer I

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

Common company salaries for Transportation Engineer I

Here are companies hiring for Transportation Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Transportation Engineer I

1. Where can a Transportation Engineer I earn the most?

A Transportation Engineer I'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 Transportation Engineer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Transportation Engineer I is $86,355.

2. What is the highest pay for Transportation Engineer I?

The highest pay for Transportation Engineer I is $78,537.

3. What is the lowest pay for Transportation Engineer I?

The lowest pay for Transportation Engineer I is $59,226.

4. What are the responsibilities of Transportation Engineer I?

Responsible for the design and planning of transportation facilities and projects. May propose changes to existing roadways to improve the flow of traffic. Ensures compliance with government standards and regulations. May require a bachelor's degree in area of specialty. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Work is closely managed.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Transportation Engineer I?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Transportation Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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