As of July 01, 2026, the average annual salary for automobile engineer in the US is $157,489, equivalent to $76 per hour, $3,029 weekly, or $13,124 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 $174,826. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($146,832) and 75th percentile ($166,564), while top earners (90th percentile) make $174,826 per year. This $19,732 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 July 01, 2026
25th Percentile automobile engineer Salary $146,832 US July 01, 2026
50th Percentile automobile engineer Salary $157,489 US July 01, 2026
75th Percentile automobile engineer Salary $166,564 US July 01, 2026
90th Percentile automobile engineer Salary $174,826 US July 01, 2026
25% $146,832 10% $137,129 90% $174,826 75% $166,564 $157,489 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
Change Search Criteria
Check out automobile engineer jobs in Columbus, Ohio

Dental Hygienist

Wood Creek Dental - GREENVILLE, SC

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

REACH Behavioral Health - RAVENNA, OH

Nurse Practitioner Outpatient Neurology

Peak Neurology PC - COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

Search More automobile engineer Jobs in Columbus, Ohio

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

See user submitted job responsibilities for automobile engineer.

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

 
 
 
146832
166564
157489

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
155896
189202
171423
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 $146,832 to $166,564 with the average base salary of $157,489. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $155,896 to $189,202 with the average total cash compensation of $171,423.

Discover how your pay is adjusted for skills, experience, and other factors

How much should you be paid?

For a real-time salary target, tell us more about your role in the four categories below.

146832
166564

 

Jobs with a similar salary range to automobile engineer : Automotive Engineering, Airline Captain, Engineering Officer