SMT Process Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a SMT Process Engineer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a SMT Process Engineer in the United States is $86,366 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

However, a SMT Process Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $100,552
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $79,702 to $93,792
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $73,635

Key Factors That Influence SMT Process Engineer Salaries

A SMT 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.

How Experience Level Affects SMT Process Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a SMT 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $85,820
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $98,354
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $109,168
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $133,445
  • Expert (over 8 years): $116,409
Levels Salary
SMT Proce... Level SMT Process Engineer$85,820
Process E... Level SMT Process Engineer$98,354
Process E... Level SMT Process Engineer$109,168
Process E... Level SMT Process Engineer$133,445
Process E... Level SMT Process Engineer$116,409

Top Paying Cities for SMT Process Engineers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $108,934
  • San Francisco: $107,741
  • Oakland: $105,471

What Skills Can Increase a SMT Process Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.14% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Design Engineering (Mentioned in 1.88% Job Postings): Creating a system, component, or process to develop new products and systems.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1.46% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.14%
Design Engineering 1.88%
PowerPoint 1.46%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a SMT Process Engineer's salary.

  • Semiconductors: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Mechanical Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Six Sigma: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Semiconductors $95,003
10%
Mechanical Engineering $93,276
8%
Six Sigma $93,276
8%

SMT Process Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For SMT Process Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, SMT Process Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Construction typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view SMT Process Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a SMT Process Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$103,640$50.020%
Energy & Utilities$99,321$48.015%
Aerospace & Defense$95,003$46.010%
Software & Networking$95,003$46.010%
Telecom$95,003$46.010%

How Education impacts a SMT Process Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many SMT Process 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 a SMT Process Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $75,272 and $78,139).

SMT Process Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for SMT Process Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.3%
High School 2.3%
Associates 3.5%
Bachelors 62.6%
Masters 27.0%
Doctorate 4.6%

SMT Process Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a SMT 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 September 01, 2026
$79,702
Average $86,366/year
$93,792
$6,642
Average $7,197/month
$7,816
$1,533
Average $1,661/week
$1,804
$38
Average $42/hour
$45
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $93,792 $7,816 $1,804 $45
Average $86,366 $7,197 $1,661 $42
25th Percentile $79,702 $6,642 $1,533 $38

Most common benefits for SMT Process Engineer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for SMT Process Engineer

Here are companies hiring for SMT Process Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about SMT Process Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for SMT Process Engineer?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for SMT Process Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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