Chief Project Engineer Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Project Engineer in the United States is $79,699 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $106,314
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $70,724 to $93,630
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62,553
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View as table View as graph 25% $70,724 10% $62,553 90% $106,314 75% $93,630 $79,699 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Chief Project Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $93,630 $7,803 $1,801 $45
Average $79,699 $6,642 $1,533 $38
25th Percentile $70,724 $5,894 $1,360 $34
Check out Chief Project Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Chief Engineer

Twin Tier Hospitality - Columbus, OH

Project Engineer

Phillips Infrastructure - Columbus, OH

Project Engineer

BlastOne - Columbus, OH

Project Engineer

Marous Brothers Construction - Columbus, OH

Search More Chief Project Engineer Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Chief Project Engineer Salaries

A Chief Project 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 Chief Project Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chief Project 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): $76,583
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $77,206
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $81,470
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $87,894
  • Expert (over 8 years): $89,041
Levels Salary
Entry Level Chief Project Engineer$76,583
Intermediate Level Chief Project Engineer$77,206
Senior Level Chief Project Engineer$81,470
Specialist Level Chief Project Engineer$87,894
Expert Level Chief Project Engineer$89,041
$76,583 0 yr
$77,206 < 2 yrs
$81,470 2-4 yrs
$87,894 5-8 yrs
$89,041 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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

  • District of Columbia: $88,243.
  • California: $87,908.
  • Massachusetts: $86,737.

Top Paying Cities for Chief Project 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: $100,525
  • San Francisco: $99,424
  • Oakland: $97,329

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 4.97% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Patient Education (Mentioned in 2.28% Job Postings): Patient education is the process by which health professionals and others impart information to patients and their caregivers that will alter their health behaviors or improve their health status.
  • Quality Assurance (Mentioned in 1.47% Job Postings): Verifying the adherence of product with required specifications and expectations to track and resolve deficiencies prior to product release.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 4.97%
Patient Education 2.28%
Quality Assurance 1.47%
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 Chief Project Engineer's salary.
  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Communication Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Management
$84,481
6%
Communication Skills
$82,887
4%
Accountability
$82,090
3%
Facilitation
$82,090
3%
Customer Service
$82,090
3%
Integrity
$82,090
3%
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Chief Project Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chief Project Engineer roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Chief Project Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Chief Project Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Chief Project Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$87,669$42.010%

How Education impacts a Chief Project Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Chief Project Engineers enter the field with a Bachelor'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 Chief Project Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $84,167 and $89,031).

Chief Project Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Chief Project Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.4%
High School 5.4%
Associates 17.6%
Bachelors 51.4%
Masters 24.3%
Doctorate 1.4%
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Chief Project Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chief Project 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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Chief Project Engineer

Salaries for a Chief Project Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $69,677 in 2023 to around $69,245 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Chief Project Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Chief Project Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$69,677
2024
$69,640
2025
$69,245
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $69,677
2024 $69,640
2025 $69,245
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Chief Project Engineer

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

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

Find Your Next Chief Project Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Chief Project Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Ben Hur

    Columbus, OH

    Ben Hur | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. About Ben Hur ConstructionWith over a century of excellence, Ben Hur Construction has been a trusted name in the construc... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Purge Rite LLC

    Columbus, OH

    Purge Rite LLC | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). (Exempt/Non-Exempt): Exempt. Job Description. Job Title. Project Engineer. ... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Limbach Company LLC

    Columbus, OH

    Limbach Company LLC | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Who We Are…. Since our founding in 1901, Limbach’s primary core value has always been simple: We Care. That commitment ex... more

    3 Days Ago

  • George J. Igel &amp; Co., Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    George J. Igel &amp; Co., Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. George J. Igel & Co., Inc. . Project Engineer (PE). Reports to. Project Manager/Assistant Project Manager. FLSA Status. E... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Western Partitions, Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    Western Partitions, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Project Engineer - Onsite. Western Partitions, Inc. (WPI) is one of the largest and most reputable interior and exterior ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Elford Inc

    Columbus, OH

    Elford Inc | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Looking to launch your construction career with a company that invests in your growth. Elford is seeking a Project Engine... more

    6 Days Ago

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FAQ about Chief Project Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Chief Project Engineer?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Chief Project Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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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