Development Engineer Sr Salary in the United States

How much does a Development Engineer Sr make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Development Engineer Sr in the United States is $118,833 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $138,287
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $110,001 to $129,016
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $101,960

Key Factors That Influence Development Engineer Sr Salaries

A Development Engineer Sr'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 Development Engineer Sr Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Development Engineer Sr'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $115,169
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $115,434
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $116,494
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $121,079
  • Expert (over 8 years): $123,325
Levels Salary
Entry Level Development Engineer Sr$115,169
Intermediate Level Development Engineer Sr$115,434
Senior Level Development Engineer Sr$116,494
Specialist Level Development Engineer Sr$121,079
Expert Level Development Engineer Sr$123,325

How Do Development Engineer Sr 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 Development Engineer Srs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $131,572.
  • California: $131,073.
  • Massachusetts: $129,326.

Top Paying Cities for Development Engineer Srs

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: $149,884
  • San Francisco: $148,243
  • Oakland: $145,119

What Skills Can Increase a Development Engineer Sr's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.08% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Computer Vision (Mentioned in 2.84% Job Postings): Designing and utilizing digital systems process, analyze, and interpret visual data.
  • Deep Learning (Mentioned in 2.06% Job Postings): Analyzing, developing, and applying big data and algorithms to imitate how humans think and learn.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.08%
Computer Vision 2.84%
Deep Learning 2.06%

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 Development Engineer Sr's salary.

  • Deep Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Computer Vision: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Artificial Intelligence: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Deep Learning $129,528
9%
Computer Vision $127,151
7%
Artificial Intelligence $125,963
6%

Development Engineer Sr Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Development Engineer Sr roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Development Engineer Sr positions in Telecom or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Development Engineer Sr as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Development Engineer Sr

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$178,250$86.050%

How Education impacts a Development Engineer Sr's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Development Engineer Srs 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 a Development Engineer Sr with a Bachelor's Degree is between $115,563 and $123,542).

Development Engineer Sr Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Development Engineer Sr
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 14.7%
Associates 0.9%
Bachelors 14.7%
Masters 25.7%
Doctorate 58.7%

Development Engineer Sr Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Development Engineer Sr'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 September 01, 2026
$110,001
Average $118,833/year
$129,016
$9,167
Average $9,903/month
$10,751
$2,115
Average $2,285/week
$2,481
$53
Average $57/hour
$62
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $129,016 $10,751 $2,481 $62
Average $118,833 $9,903 $2,285 $57
25th Percentile $110,001 $9,167 $2,115 $53

Most common benefits for Development Engineer Sr

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

Common company salaries for Development Engineer Sr

Here are companies hiring for Development Engineer Sr and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Development Engineer Sr

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Development Engineer Sr?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Development Engineer Sr roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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