How much does a Design Engineer make?

The average salary for a Design Engineer is $117,173 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 20875 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Design Engineer employees in United States.

The highest salary for a Design Engineer in United States is $144,744 per year.

The lowest salary for a Design Engineer in United States is $95,730 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Design Engineer or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Design Engineer.

Design engineering salaries are high, reflecting the field’s significant barriers to entry. A bachelor’s in engineering degree is considered a minimum qualification, although many firms strongly prefer candidates with internship experience. Once hired, design engineers typically work full time and are paid a salary with full benefits. Candidates with a Master of Engineering degree are typically paid higher salaries than candidates with only a bachelor’s degree. Successful engineers can earn a Professional Engineering (PE) license that indicates they are ready for more leadership responsibility, or they may choose to transition into a project manager role.

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Anonymous ratings collected by Glassdoor indicate that 71% of design engineers are satisfied with their current salary. A design engineer's salary may be qualified as "good" based on their base salary as well as the possibility of bonuses, profit sharing, and commissions, which can lead to about $17,196.75 in additional pay.

Are you looking to earn a higher salary as a design engineer? The first step is to make your portfolio the best it can be. A strong portfolio demonstrates your abilities and makes your value as a design engineer clear. Advancing your education may also help to increase your pay. A design engineer career typically begins with a bachelor's degree, so earning a master's degree sets you apart. You can also pursue several certifications to expand your knowledge and earn more money, such as management certifications from the American Society for Engineering Management or certification in AutoCAD software.

When it comes time to negotiate your salary, your portfolio will be one of your best tools. Whether you're negotiating a higher salary in your current position or you're making a counteroffer after receiving a formal job offer, a strong portfolio demonstrates your abilities to an employer at a glance. Use phrasing that highlights your value to the employer, and bring in numbers if possible. Showing them a project you've completed and the revenue it brought in is a good way to demonstrate why you deserve a higher salary in your design engineer job.