As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Design Engineer in the United States is $118,175 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.
However, an Entry Level Design Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Entry Level Design 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 an Entry Level Design 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 Entry Level Design Engineer | $113,474 |
| Intermediate Level Entry Level Design Engineer | $114,257 |
| Senior Level Entry Level Design Engineer | $115,041 |
| Specialist Level Entry Level Design Engineer | $117,862 |
| Expert Level Entry Level Design Engineer | $123,450 |
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 Entry Level Design Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 17.05% |
| Sales Support | 2.07% |
| Tableau | 1.27% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Coordination
|
$139,447 |
18%
|
|
Sales Support
|
$138,265 |
17%
|
|
Team Management
|
$137,083 |
16%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$135,901 |
15%
|
|
Innovation
|
$134,720 |
14%
|
|
Business Analytics
|
$128,811 |
9%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Level Design 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 an Entry Level Design Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $119,268 and $127,678).
Entry Level Design Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.9% |
| High School | 0.9% |
| Associates | 4.7% |
| Bachelors | 49.5% |
| Masters | 42.1% |
| Doctorate | 1.9% |
Understanding how an Entry Level Design 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 an Entry Level Design Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $117,969 in 2023 to around $116,146 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Entry Level Design Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $117,969 |
| 2024 | $117,318 |
| 2025 | $116,146 |
| 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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