As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Application Engineer in the United States is $78,232 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.
However, an Application Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Application 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 an Application 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 |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Application Engineer | $77,186 |
| Intermediate Level Application Engineer | $77,900 |
| Senior Level Application Engineer | $79,560 |
| Specialist Level Application Engineer | $79,892 |
| Expert Level Application Engineer | $80,113 |
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 Application Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 4.96% |
| Software Engineering | 2.57% |
| Product Development | 1.68% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Penetration Testing
|
$90,749 |
16%
|
|
Application Security
|
$89,185 |
14%
|
|
Code Review
|
$84,491 |
8%
|
|
Semiconductors
|
$84,491 |
8%
|
|
Information Security
|
$84,491 |
8%
|
|
Web Applications
|
$83,709 |
7%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Application 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 an Application Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $76,094 and $81,084).
Application Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 3.2% |
| High School | 3.2% |
| Associates | 9.3% |
| Bachelors | 57.8% |
| Masters | 25.9% |
| Doctorate | 3.8% |
Understanding how an Application 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.
Last Updated on January 01, 2026Salaries for an Application Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $83,480 in 2023 to around $81,370 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Application Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $83,480 |
| 2024 | $83,086 |
| 2025 | $81,370 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Application Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.
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