As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Plant Process Engineer in the United States is $99,128 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.
However, a Plant Process Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Plant Process 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 Plant Process 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 Plant Process Engineer | $95,498 |
| Intermediate Level Plant Process Engineer | $95,772 |
| Senior Level Plant Process Engineer | $99,128 |
| Specialist Level Plant Process Engineer | $102,558 |
| Expert Level Plant Process Engineer | $102,803 |
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 Plant Process Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 4.79% |
| Web Applications | 2.22% |
| Technical Support | 1.77% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Service Oriented Architecture
|
$106,067 |
7%
|
|
Team Development
|
$105,075 |
6%
|
|
Jira
|
$104,084 |
5%
|
|
Agile
|
$104,084 |
5%
|
|
Atlassian
|
$104,084 |
5%
|
|
Product Development
|
$104,084 |
5%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Plant Process 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 Plant Process Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $91,232 and $97,253).
Plant Process Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.3% |
| High School | 1.8% |
| Associates | 5.5% |
| Bachelors | 54.9% |
| Masters | 33.8% |
| Doctorate | 3.8% |
Understanding how a Plant Process 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 a Plant Process Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $101,254 in 2023 to around $98,201 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Plant Process Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $101,254 |
| 2024 | $100,058 |
| 2025 | $98,201 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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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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