How Much Does a Design Engineer Make?

Experience is a significant factor that influences a Design Engineer's salary. As you gain practical skills and experience in the field, your value as an Engineer increases, and so does your salary. Starting as an entry-level Design Engineer, you have the potential to grow into senior roles, such as a Senior Design Engineer or a Design Engineering Manager, with each leap bringing a significant salary boost. An Engineer with a wealth of experience is considered more competent to handle complex tasks, and hence, is more desirable to employers.

Another influential factor is the level of education and specialization. Design Engineers with advanced degrees or specialized certifications often command higher salaries, as this higher level of education often translates into enhanced skills and knowledge. Moreover, specialization in high-demand areas such as robotics, AI, or renewable energy, for instance, could lead to increased pay due to the scarcity of experts in these fields. Lastly, location also plays a crucial role. Salaries vary significantly from city to city and state to state, frequently reflecting the cost of living or the concentration of particular industries in those areas.

Design Engineer Estimated Salary

High
$61.05/hour/hr
National Average
$50.59/hour/hr
Low
$38.06/hour/hr

Top Salary Locations for Design Engineer Jobs

Top Salary Locations for Design Engineer Jobs
25%+
15% to 24%
5% to 14%
Industry Average
-5% to -14%
-15% to -24%
-25% or more

Salary for Design Engineer Jobs Nationwide

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireEngineering research efforts.
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How Do You Negotiate Salary as a Design Engineer?

One of the most important aspects of securing a job as a Design Engineer is negotiating your salary. To ensure a favorable outcome, it's crucial to be equipped with accurate and relevant salary data. A fantastic resource for this is the iHireEngineering Salary Research Tool, which allows you to research salaries specific to your career title and location. This tool provides an understanding of the market rate, which forms a strong foundation for your negotiations.

If you're already in a Design Engineer role and seeking a raise, first establish your value and contribution to the company. Highlight your accomplishments, the skills you've developed, and the extra responsibilities you've taken on. Use your research from the iHireEngineering Salary Research Tool to benchmark your current salary against industry standards and use this information to develop a compelling argument for your raise. New hires, on the other hand, should be prepared to discuss their expected salary openly and confidently. Use the data from your research to negotiate a salary that both reflects your skills and experience and aligns with the market rate. Remember, negotiation is a skill that demonstrates your professionalism and value.

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Design Engineers
4-6 years
26.4%
2-4 years
25.9%
6-8 years
17.6%
Less than 1 year
10.4%
1-2 years
7.0%
8-10 years
5.9%
None
4.2%
10+ years
2.6%