Project Design Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Project Design Engineer make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Design Engineer in the United States is $84,779 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $99,866
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $76,449 to $92,676
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $68,865
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View as table View as graph 25% $76,449 10% $68,865 90% $99,866 75% $92,676 $84,779 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Project Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $92,676 $7,723 $1,782 $45
Average $84,779 $7,065 $1,630 $41
25th Percentile $76,449 $6,371 $1,470 $37
Check out Project Design Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Senior Engineer, Planning, Design & Construction

University of Cincinnati - Mt Auburn, OH

TOOL DESIGN ENGINEER

Hi-Tek Manufacturing Inc - Mason, OH

Design Engineer III

ACO, Inc. - Mentor, OH

TOOL DESIGN ENGINEER

Hi-Tek Manufacturing Inc - Mason, OH

Search More Project Design Engineer Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Project Design Engineer Salaries

A Project 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Project Design Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Project 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $84,198
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $95,885
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $114,288
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $130,733
  • Expert (over 8 years): $153,415
Levels Salary
Project D... Level Project Design Engineer$84,198
Project E... Level Project Design Engineer$95,885
Project E... Level Project Design Engineer$114,288
Project E... Level Project Design Engineer$130,733
Project E... Level Project Design Engineer$153,415
$84,198 0 yr
$95,885 < 2 yrs
$114,288 2-4 yrs
$130,733 5-8 yrs
$153,415 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Project Design 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: $106,932
  • San Francisco: $105,761
  • Oakland: $103,532

What Skills Can Increase a Project Design Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 7.18% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • Cost Control (Mentioned in 1.97% Job Postings): Managing and analyzing financial data in determining and reducing business expenses to increase revenue and profitability.
  • Project Engineering (Mentioned in 1.17% Job Postings): Project engineering includes all parts of the design of manufacturing or processing facilities, either new or modifications to and expansions of existing facilities. A "project" consists of a coordinated series of activities or tasks performed by engineers, designers, drafters and others from one or more engineering disciplines or departments. Project tasks consist of such things as performing calculations, writing specifications, preparing bids, reviewing equipment proposals and evaluating or selecting equipment and preparing various lists, such as equipment and materials lists, and creating drawings such as electrical, piping and instrumentation diagrams, physical layouts and other drawings used in design and construction. A small project may be under the direction of a project engineer. Large projects are typically under the direction of a project manager or management team. Some facilities have in house staff to handle small projects, while some major companies have a department that does internal project engineering. Large projects are typically contracted out to engineering companies. Staffing at engineering companies varies according to the work load and duration of employment may only last until an individual's tasks are completed.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 7.18%
Cost Control 1.97%
Project Engineering 1.17%
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 Project Design Engineer's salary.
  • Earned Value Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Land Development: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Earned Value Management
$89,866
6%
Land Development
$89,018
5%
Consulting
$89,018
5%
Budgeting
$89,018
5%
Civil Engineering
$88,170
4%
AutoCAD
$87,322
3%
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Project Design Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Project Design Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Project Design Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Project Design Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Project Design Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$110,213$53.030%
Software & Networking$110,213$53.030%
Financial Services$105,974$51.025%
Energy & Utilities$101,735$49.020%
Internet$101,735$49.020%

How Education impacts a Project Design Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Project Design Engineers enter the field with a No Diploma 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 Project Design Engineer with a No Diploma is between $75,964 and $79,944).

Project Design Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Project Design Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.4%
High School 73.6%
Associates 1.4%
Bachelors 73.6%
Masters 25.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Project Design Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Project 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.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Project Design Engineer

Salaries for a Project Design Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $78,821 in 2023 to around $79,129 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Project Design Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Project Design Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$78,821
2024
$79,773
2025
$79,129
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $78,821
2024 $79,773
2025 $79,129
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Project Design Engineer

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

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

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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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