Staff Engineer, Project Salary in the United States

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

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Staff Engineer, Project in the United States is $86,810 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $102,179
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $78,301 to $94,855
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,554
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View as table View as graph 25% $78,301 10% $70,554 90% $102,179 75% $94,855 $86,810 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Staff Engineer, Project Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $94,855 $7,905 $1,824 $46
Average $86,810 $7,234 $1,669 $42
25th Percentile $78,301 $6,525 $1,506 $38
Check out Staff Engineer, Project Job Openings in the United States
Senior Project Engineer

King Industries, Inc. - NORWALK, CT

Controls Project Engineer

Lincoln Electric - SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI

Mechanical Project Engineer

Lincoln Electric - COLDWATER, OH

Sr Staff Engineer-CORP

Constellation Energy - HEYWORTH, IL

Search More Staff Engineer, Project Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Staff Engineer, Project Salaries

A Staff Engineer, Project'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 Staff Engineer, Project Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Staff Engineer, Project'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): $85,569
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $86,218
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $87,638
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $88,584
  • Expert (over 8 years): $88,821
Levels Salary
Entry Level Staff Engineer, Project$85,569
Intermediate Level Staff Engineer, Project$86,218
Senior Level Staff Engineer, Project$87,638
Specialist Level Staff Engineer, Project$88,584
Expert Level Staff Engineer, Project$88,821
$85,569 0 yr
$86,218 < 2 yrs
$87,638 2-4 yrs
$88,584 5-8 yrs
$88,821 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Staff Engineer, Project 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 Staff Engineer, Projects. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $96,116.
  • California: $95,751.
  • Massachusetts: $94,475.

Top Paying Cities for Staff Engineer, Projects

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: $109,493
  • San Francisco: $108,417
  • Oakland: $106,012

What Skills Can Increase a Staff Engineer, Project'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 Staff Engineer, Project'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
$92,018
6%
Land Development
$91,150
5%
Consulting
$91,150
5%
Budgeting
$91,150
5%
Civil Engineering
$90,282
4%
AutoCAD
$89,414
3%
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How Education impacts a Staff Engineer, Project's Salary?

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

Staff Engineer, Project Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Staff Engineer, Project
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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Staff Engineer, Project Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Staff Engineer, Project'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Staff Engineer, Project

Salaries for a Staff Engineer, Project can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $80,699 in 2023 to around $81,015 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Staff Engineer, Project salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Staff Engineer, Project Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$80,699
2024
$81,674
2025
$81,015
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $80,699
2024 $81,674
2025 $81,015
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Staff Engineer, Project

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

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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.)

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