As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Communications Engineer in the United States is $70,176 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.
However, a Communications Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Communications 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 Communications 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 |
|---|---|
| Communica... Level Communications Engineer | $70,823 |
| Telecommu... Level Communications Engineer | $91,005 |
| Telecommu... Level Communications Engineer | $120,597 |
| Telecommu... Level Communications Engineer | $140,012 |
| Telecommu... Level Communications Engineer | $157,631 |
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 Communications Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Troubleshooting | 7.37% |
| Semiconductors | 2.41% |
| Dialysis | 1.6% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Corrective Maintenance
|
$84,211 |
20%
|
|
Pneumatics
|
$82,807 |
18%
|
|
Innovation
|
$78,597 |
12%
|
|
Preventive Maintenance
|
$78,597 |
12%
|
|
Semiconductors
|
$77,895 |
11%
|
|
Customer Focus
|
$77,193 |
10%
|
For Communications Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 26% above the average. In contrast, Communications Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Communications Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $88,421 | $43.0 | 26% |
| Energy & Utilities | $84,912 | $41.0 | 21% |
| Construction | $81,404 | $39.0 | 16% |
| Software & Networking | $81,404 | $39.0 | 16% |
| Financial Services | $77,895 | $37.0 | 11% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Communications 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 Communications Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $71,760 and $76,475).
Communications Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.8% |
| High School | 14.7% |
| Associates | 10.1% |
| Bachelors | 51.9% |
| Masters | 19.4% |
| Doctorate | 3.1% |
Understanding how a Communications 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 July 01, 2026Salaries for a Communications Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $80,932 in 2023 to around $79,280 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Communications Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $80,932 |
| 2024 | $80,252 |
| 2025 | $79,280 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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