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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Design Engineer in North Carolina is $76,870 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.
However, an Associate Design Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Associate Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $81,696 | $6,808 | $1,571 | $39 |
| Average | $76,870 | $6,406 | $1,478 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,187 | $6,099 | $1,407 | $35 |
SunEnergy1LLC - Shawboro, NC
Aalberts integrated piping systems - Charlotte, NC
Cross Technologies Inc. - Greensboro, NC
Computer Task Group, Inc - Charlotte, NC
An Associate Design 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Design 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 |
|---|---|
| Associate... Level Associate Design Engineer | $76,515 |
| Product D... Level Associate Design Engineer | $86,793 |
| Product D... Level Associate Design Engineer | $108,496 |
| Product D... Level Associate Design Engineer | $132,477 |
| Product D... Level Associate Design Engineer | $155,195 |
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 Associate Design Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Associate Design Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Associate Design Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Design Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet | $88,400 | $43.0 | 15% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $86,094 | $41.0 | 12% |
| Biotechnology | $84,557 | $41.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $83,019 | $40.0 | 8% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $80,713 | $39.0 | 5% |
Understanding how an Associate Design 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 | $81,696 | $6,808 | $1,571 | $39 |
| Average | $76,870 | $6,406 | $1,478 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,187 | $6,099 | $1,407 | $35 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Associate Design Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
ISAT Total Support
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ISAT Total Support | Matthews, NC
Job Description. Job Description. Join Our Team. At Tomarco Contractor Specialties / ISAT Total Support, our employees are thriving both inside and outside... more
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Job Description. Job Description. Job Title: Design Engineer. Location: Charlotte, NC. Company Overview. Bendel Tank and Heat Exchanger, LLC, a division of... more
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Bolton & Menk, Inc
Charlotte, NC
Bolton & Menk, Inc | Charlotte, NC
Job Description. Job Description. Bolton & Menk has an exciting opportunity for a Design Engineer, EIT, to join our Transportation team in our Charlotte of... more
3 Days Ago
Bennett & Pless Inc
Raleigh, NC
Bennett & Pless Inc | Raleigh, NC
Job Description. Job Description. Who We Are. For more than 60 years, Bennett & Pless has been a growing leader in structural engineering, delivering speci... more
4 Days Ago
Highlander Consultants
Charlotte, NC
Highlander Consultants | Charlotte, NC
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5 Days Ago
SigSauer
Sanford, NC
SigSauer | Sanford, NC
Job Description. Job Description. Design Engineer II. SIG SAUER, Inc. is a leading provider and manufacturer of firearms, electro-optics, ammunition, airgu... more
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