As of September 01, 2026, the average annual salary for automobile engineer in the US is $157,496, equivalent to $76 per hour, $3,029 weekly, or $13,125 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for automobile engineer in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for automobile engineer in the US vary widely, spanning from $137,129 to $174,844. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($146,835) and 75th percentile ($166,576), while top earners (90th percentile) make $174,844 per year. This $19,741 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or AWS, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia automobile engineer often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 51 companies and industry startups. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
automobile engineer Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile automobile engineer Salary $137,129 US September 01, 2026
25th Percentile automobile engineer Salary $146,835 US September 01, 2026
50th Percentile automobile engineer Salary $157,496 US September 01, 2026
75th Percentile automobile engineer Salary $166,576 US September 01, 2026
90th Percentile automobile engineer Salary $174,844 US September 01, 2026
25% $146,835 10% $137,129 90% $174,844 75% $166,576 $157,496 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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What is An automobile engineer ?

Automobile engineers design, develop, and test vehicles and their systems, ensuring safety, efficiency, and performance. They work on various components, including engines, transmissions, and electrical systems, utilizing advanced software and tools for simulations and modeling. Responsibilities include conducting research, analyzing data, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to improve vehicle designs. Salaries for automobile engineers vary based on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions typically start around $60,000 annually, while experienced engineers can ea...

Source: (as of 06/04/2025). Read more from

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Job Openings for automobile engineer

Career Path for this job

  1. Down a level:

    Engineer III

    4 - 7 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  2. This Job:

    automobile engineer

    7 + years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  3. Up a level:

    Engineer V

    10 + years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

Understand the total compensation opportunity for An automobile engineer, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
146835
166576
157496

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
156684
190161
172291
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of automobile engineer in the United States. The base salary for automobile engineer ranges from $146,835 to $166,576 with the average base salary of $157,496. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $156,684 to $190,161 with the average total cash compensation of $172,291.

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146835
166576

 

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