As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a 2nd Assistant Engineer in the United States is $78,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.
However, a 2nd Assistant Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A 2nd Assistant 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 2nd Assistant 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 2nd Assistant Engineer | $77,005 |
| Intermediate Level 2nd Assistant Engineer | $77,627 |
| Senior Level 2nd Assistant Engineer | $78,635 |
| Specialist Level 2nd Assistant Engineer | $78,836 |
| Expert Level 2nd Assistant Engineer | $78,970 |
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 2nd Assistant Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 3.28% |
| Linux | 3.28% |
| Open Source | 2.48% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Open Source
|
$91,845 |
17%
|
|
Microservices
|
$89,490 |
14%
|
|
Docker
|
$87,920 |
12%
|
|
Team Operations
|
$87,920 |
12%
|
|
Ansible
|
$87,920 |
12%
|
|
Configuration Management
|
$87,920 |
12%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many 2nd Assistant Engineers enter the field with a Associate'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 2nd Assistant Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $75,790 and $78,928).
2nd Assistant Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 2.6% |
| High School | 2.6% |
| Associates | 9.0% |
| Bachelors | 56.4% |
| Masters | 26.9% |
| Doctorate | 5.1% |
Understanding how a 2nd Assistant 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 2nd Assistant Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $82,377 in 2023 to around $79,926 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of 2nd Assistant Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $82,377 |
| 2024 | $81,211 |
| 2025 | $79,926 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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