Process Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Process Engineer make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Process Engineer in the United States is $102,119 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $116,799
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $94,992 to $109,803
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $88,503
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View as table View as graph 25% $94,992 10% $88,503 90% $116,799 75% $109,803 $102,119 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Process Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $109,803 $9,150 $2,112 $53
Average $102,119 $8,510 $1,964 $49
25th Percentile $94,992 $7,916 $1,827 $46
Check out Process Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Process Engineer

Advanced Plastic Systems - Columbus, OH

RN - Weekend Contract

Alto Health Care Staffing - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Process Engineer Salaries

A Process 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.

How Experience Level Affects Process Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Process 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $88,611
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $101,554
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $112,724
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $137,788
  • Expert (over 8 years): $120,208
Levels Salary
Process E... Level Process Engineer$88,611
Process E... Level Process Engineer$101,554
Process E... Level Process Engineer$112,724
Process E... Level Process Engineer$137,788
Process E... Level Process Engineer$120,208
$88,611 0 yr
$101,554 < 2 yrs
$112,724 2-4 yrs
$137,788 5-8 yrs
$120,208 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Process Engineers

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: $128,803
  • San Francisco: $127,392
  • Oakland: $124,708

What Skills Can Increase a Process Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.36% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Design Engineering (Mentioned in 1.83% Job Postings): Creating a system, component, or process to develop new products and systems.
  • Chemical Engineering (Mentioned in 1.47% Job Postings): Chemical engineering is a branch of engineering that uses principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and economics to efficiently use, produce, design, transport and transform energy and materials. The work of chemical engineers can range from the utilisation of nano-technology and nano-materials in the laboratory to large-scale industrial processes that convert chemicals, raw materials, living cells, microorganisms, and energy into useful forms and products. Chemical engineers are involved in many aspects of plant design and operation, including safety and hazard assessments, process design and analysis, modeling, control engineering, chemical reaction engineering, nuclear engineering, biological engineering, construction specification, and operating instructions. Chemical engineers typically hold a degree in Chemical Engineering or Process Engineering. Practising engineers may have professional certification and be accredited members of a professional body. Such bodies include the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) or the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). A degree in chemical engineering is directly linked with all of the other engineering disciplines, to various extents.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.36%
Design Engineering 1.83%
Chemical Engineering 1.47%
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 Process Engineer's salary.
  • Semiconductors: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Process Development: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Material Science: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Semiconductors
$107,225
5%
Process Development
$106,204
4%
Material Science
$106,204
4%
Alignment
$104,161
2%
SOP
$104,161
2%
Process Manufacturing
$104,161
2%
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Process Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Process Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 120% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Process Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Process Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Process Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$153,178$74.050%
Pharmaceuticals$132,755$64.030%
Biotechnology$127,649$61.025%
Energy & Utilities$122,543$59.020%
Aerospace & Defense$112,331$54.010%

How Education impacts a Process Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Process 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 a Process Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $87,914 and $91,683).

Process Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Process Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.5%
High School 1.5%
Associates 2.1%
Bachelors 51.7%
Masters 37.9%
Doctorate 6.7%
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Process Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Process 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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Process Engineer

Salaries for a Process Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $88,013 in 2023 to around $87,416 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Process Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Process Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$88,013
2024
$87,768
2025
$87,416
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $88,013
2024 $87,768
2025 $87,416
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Process Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Process Engineer

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

Find Your Next Process Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Process Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • AMN Healthcare, Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    AMN Healthcare, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description & Requirements Gastroenterology Physician StartDate: ASAP Available Shifts: 32 Days of Paid Time Off A nationally recognized organization c... more

    4 Days Ago

  • XPO

    Columbus, OH

    CDL

    XPO | Columbus, OH

    XPO is Hiring Driver Teams. XPO Teams. As an XPO Team, you’ll run dedicated routes between XPO facilities in. new sleeper. trucks equipped with microwaves ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Summit Recruiting Group

    Columbus, OH

    Summit Recruiting Group | Columbus, OH

    NP/PA Dermatology job opening in Columbus, OHPosition Details. Full-time, permanent opening. Experience required. Well-Established Practice. Seeking a NP/P... more

    7 Days Ago

  • GO Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

    8 Days Ago

  • The Curare Group, Inc

    Columbus, OH

    The Curare Group, Inc | Columbus, OH

    Hospital is seeking a Board Certified/Board Eligible Pediatrician to join a well-respected and growing practice located an hour from Columbus. Only Pediatr... more

    8 Days Ago

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FAQ about Process Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Process Engineer?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Process Engineer 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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