As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Engineer in the United States is $112,028 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.
However, an Associate Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Associate 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 Associate 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 |
|---|---|
| Engineer ... Level Associate Engineer | $80,210 |
| Engineer ... Level Associate Engineer | $92,758 |
| Associate... Level Associate Engineer | $111,501 |
| Engineer ... Level Associate Engineer | $141,081 |
| Engineer ... Level Associate Engineer | $162,934 |
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 Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 6.08% |
| API | 2.09% |
| Java | 1.71% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
DevOps
|
$123,231 |
10%
|
|
JavaScript
|
$120,990 |
8%
|
|
Test Automation
|
$119,870 |
7%
|
|
AWS
|
$119,870 |
7%
|
|
Java
|
$118,750 |
6%
|
|
Team Development
|
$118,750 |
6%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Associate Engineers enter the field with a Bachelor'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 Associate Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $105,951 and $111,242).
Associate Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.2% |
| High School | 2.6% |
| Associates | 3.5% |
| Bachelors | 36.5% |
| Masters | 41.6% |
| Doctorate | 15.5% |
Understanding how an Associate 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 March 01, 2026Salaries for an Associate Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $118,699 in 2023 to around $117,574 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Associate Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $118,699 |
| 2024 | $118,857 |
| 2025 | $117,574 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Associate Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.
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