As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Watch Engineer in the United States is $78,050 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.
However, a Watch Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Watch Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $83,458 | $6,955 | $1,605 | $40 |
| Average | $78,050 | $6,504 | $1,501 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,461 | $5,955 | $1,374 | $34 |
A Watch Engineer'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Watch Engineer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Watch Eng... Level Watch Engineer | $79,422 |
| Nuclear E... Level Watch Engineer | $92,844 |
| Nuclear E... Level Watch Engineer | $112,604 |
| Nuclear E... Level Watch Engineer | $136,037 |
| Nuclear E... Level Watch Engineer | $157,064 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Troubleshooting | 18.57% |
| Construction Management | 0.34% |
| Python | 0.34% |
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 Watch Engineer's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Cybersecurity | $108,489 | |
| Test Plans | $106,928 | |
| Consulting | $106,147 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Watch Engineers enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Watch Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $85,860 and $89,841).
| Typical Education for Watch Engineer | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 3.8% |
| High School | 3.8% |
| Associates | 1.3% |
| Bachelors | 58.2% |
| Masters | 27.8% |
| Doctorate | 8.9% |
Understanding how a Watch Engineer'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 | $83,458 | $6,955 | $1,605 | $40 |
| Average | $78,050 | $6,504 | $1,501 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,461 | $5,955 | $1,374 | $34 |
Salaries for a Watch Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $79,063 in 2023 to around $77,451 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Watch Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $79,063 |
| 2024 | $78,782 |
| 2025 | $77,451 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Watch Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.
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