As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Transportation Engineer in the United States is $88,189 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.
However, a Transportation Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Transportation 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 a Transportation 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 |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Transportation Engineer | $85,203 |
| Intermediate Level Transportation Engineer | $85,407 |
| Senior Level Transportation Engineer | $86,738 |
| Specialist Level Transportation Engineer | $91,132 |
| Expert Level Transportation Engineer | $92,604 |
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 Transportation Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Planning | 10.1% |
| AutoCAD | 2.32% |
| Sustainability | 1.26% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
AWS
|
$104,063 |
18%
|
|
Systems Engineering
|
$97,008 |
10%
|
|
Electrical Engineering
|
$95,245 |
8%
|
|
Consulting
|
$95,245 |
8%
|
|
Project Management
|
$95,245 |
8%
|
|
Agile
|
$95,245 |
8%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Transportation Engineers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Transportation Engineer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $78,234 and $82,610).
Transportation Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 2.1% |
| High School | 35.8% |
| Associates | 2.1% |
| Bachelors | 35.8% |
| Masters | 53.7% |
| Doctorate | 8.4% |
Understanding how a Transportation 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 January 01, 2026Salaries for a Transportation Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $92,367 in 2023 to around $90,236 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Transportation Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $92,367 |
| 2024 | $91,292 |
| 2025 | $90,236 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Transportation Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.
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