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Validation Engineer I Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Validation Engineer I in the United States is $79,316 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $93,115
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $72,217 to $86,539
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,754
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Validation Engineer I Salaries

A Validation 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 Validation Engineer I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Validation 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:

  • Validation Engineer I (0-2 years): $79,316
  • Validation Engineer II (2-4 years): $96,851
  • Validation Engineer III (4-7 years): $114,505
  • Validation Engineer IV (7+ years): $138,508
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Validation Engineer I0-2 years$79,316
Validation Engineer II2-4 years$96,851
Validation Engineer III4-7 years$114,505
Validation Engineer IV7+ years$138,508
View as Graph

How Do Validation Engineer Is 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 Validation Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $87,819.
  • California: $87,486.
  • Massachusetts: $86,320.

Top Paying Cities for Validation Engineer I

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: $100,041
  • San Francisco: $98,946
  • Oakland: $96,861

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 5.18% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Civil Engineering (Mentioned in 2.37% Job Postings): Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewerage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and railways. Civil engineering is traditionally broken into a number of sub-disciplines. It is considered the second-oldest engineering discipline after military engineering, and it is defined to distinguish non-military engineering from military engineering. Civil engineering takes place in the public sector from municipal through to national governments, and in the private sector from individual homeowners through to international companies.
  • Technical Skills (Mentioned in 1.78% Job Postings): Technical skills are the specialized knowledge and expertise required to perform specific tasks and use specific tools and programs in real world situations.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 5.18%
Civil Engineering 2.37%
Technical Skills 1.78%
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 Validation Engineer I's salary.

  • Android: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Land Development: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Computer Science: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Android $89,627
13%
Land Development $88,834
12%
Computer Science $88,041
11%
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Validation Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Validation Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $89,017. While startup companies pay approximate $75,379.

Validation Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $75,379
Growth Stage 51~500 $79,697
Established 501~5000 $85,982
Enterprise 5000+ $89,017

Validation Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Validation Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 135% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Validation Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Validation Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Validation Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$126,906$61.060%
Pharmaceuticals$111,042$53.040%
Biotechnology$103,111$50.030%
Energy & Utilities$99,145$48.025%
Aerospace & Defense$95,179$46.020%

How Education impacts an Validation Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Validation 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 Validation Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $63,275 and $69,752.

Validation Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Validation Engineer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.4%
High School 3.4%
Associates 3.4%
Bachelors 60.5%
Masters 32.8%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Validation 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 August 01, 2026
$72,217
Average $79,316/year
$86,539
$6,018
Average $6,610/month
$7,212
$1,389
Average $1,525/week
$1,664
$35
Average $38/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $86,539 $7,212 $1,664 $42
Average $79,316 $6,610 $1,525 $38
25th Percentile $72,217 $6,018 $1,389 $35

Validation Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Validation Engineer I

Next Role

Advancement

For a Validation Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Validation Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $96,851 - a projected growth of 22% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Validation Engineer I

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

Common company salaries for Validation Engineer I

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

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FAQ about Validation Engineer I

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

A Validation 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 Validation Engineer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Validation Engineer I is $100,041.

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

The highest pay for Validation Engineer I is $93,115.

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

The lowest pay for Validation Engineer I is $65,754.

4. What are the responsibilities of Validation Engineer I?

Prepares all protocols and reports for validation work. Coordinates all validation activities by constant communication with affected departments and personnel; oversees and reviews validation area processes and procedures. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Work is closely managed. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Validation Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 60% 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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