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Drive Test Technician Salary in the United States

How much does a Drive Test Technician make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Drive Test Technician in the United States is $122,178 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.

However, a Drive Test Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $140,514
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $114,110 to $131,776
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $106,765
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Drive Test Technician Salaries

A Drive Test Technician'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Drive Test Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Drive Test Technician'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): $87,956
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $97,757
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $121,472
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $141,269
  • Expert (over 8 years): $174,541
Levels Salary
Radio Fre... Level Drive Test Technician$87,956
Radio Fre... Level Drive Test Technician$97,757
Drive Tes... Level Drive Test Technician$121,472
Radio Fre... Level Drive Test Technician$141,269
Radio Fre... Level Drive Test Technician$174,541
View as Graph

How Do Drive Test Technician 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 Drive Test Technicians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $135,275.
  • California: $134,762.
  • Massachusetts: $132,966.

Top Paying Cities for Drive Test Technicians

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: $154,103
  • San Francisco: $152,416
  • Oakland: $149,204

What Skills Can Increase a Drive Test Technician's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 20.21% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Schematic (Mentioned in 2.33% Job Postings): A schematic, or schematic diagram, is a representation of the elements of a system using abstract, graphic symbols rather than realistic pictures.
  • Computer Science (Mentioned in 1.3% Job Postings): Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to practical disciplines.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 20.21%
Schematic 2.33%
Computer Science 1.3%
See More Skills

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 Drive Test Technician's salary.

  • Hardware Design: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Security Clearance: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Systems Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Hardware Design $140,505
15%
Security Clearance $140,505
15%
Systems Engineering $140,505
15%
Get Latest Data

Drive Test Technician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Drive Test Technician roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 110% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Drive Test Technician positions in Telecom or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Drive Test Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Drive Test Technician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$171,049$82.040%
Pharmaceuticals$158,831$76.030%
Energy & Utilities$146,614$70.020%
Internet$140,505$68.015%
Biotechnology$134,396$65.010%

Drive Test Technician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Drive Test Technician'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 October 01, 2026
$114,110
Average $122,178/year
$131,776
$9,509
Average $10,182/month
$10,981
$2,194
Average $2,350/week
$2,534
$55
Average $59/hour
$63
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $131,776 $10,981 $2,534 $63
Average $122,178 $10,182 $2,350 $59
25th Percentile $114,110 $9,509 $2,194 $55

Most common benefits for Drive Test Technician

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Drive Test Technician

Here are companies hiring for Drive Test Technician and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Drive Test Technician

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Drive Test Technician?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Drive Test Technician roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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