As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Vehicle Test Engineer in the United States is $115,782 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.
However, a Vehicle Test Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Vehicle Test 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 Vehicle Test 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 |
|---|---|
| Test Engi... Level Vehicle Test Engineer | $73,000 |
| Test Engi... Level Vehicle Test Engineer | $82,117 |
| Vehicle T... Level Vehicle Test Engineer | $115,110 |
| Test Engi... Level Vehicle Test Engineer | $138,921 |
| Test Engi... Level Vehicle Test Engineer | $151,644 |
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 Vehicle Test Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 7.75% |
| Python | 3% |
| Automated Testing | 2.08% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Python
|
$119,255 |
3%
|
|
Debugging
|
$119,255 |
3%
|
|
Networking
|
$119,255 |
3%
|
|
Linux
|
$118,098 |
2%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$118,098 |
2%
|
|
Innovation
|
$116,940 |
1%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Vehicle Test 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 Vehicle Test Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $105,164 and $109,208).
Vehicle Test Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.6% |
| High School | 1.2% |
| Associates | 6.8% |
| Bachelors | 52.4% |
| Masters | 35.4% |
| Doctorate | 3.3% |
Understanding how a Vehicle Test 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 April 01, 2026Salaries for a Vehicle Test Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $98,427 in 2023 to around $98,237 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Vehicle Test Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $98,427 |
| 2024 | $98,848 |
| 2025 | $98,237 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Vehicle Test Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.
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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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