As of May 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Design Engineer, Senior in the United States is $111,350. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $102,050 to $125,240, with most professionals earning between $93,583 and $137,886.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $125,240 | $10,437 | $2,408 | $60 |
| Average | $111,350 | $9,279 | $2,141 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,050 | $8,504 | $1,963 | $49 |
An entry-level Design Engineer, Senior with less than 1 year of experience earns about $107,186. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $107,880. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $109,268. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $115,496, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $119,228.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Design Engineer, Senior | $107,186 |
| Intermediate Level Design Engineer, Senior | $107,880 |
| Senior Level Design Engineer, Senior | $109,268 |
| Specialist Level Design Engineer, Senior | $115,496 |
| Expert Level Design Engineer, Senior | $119,228 |
| Entry Level | 4% |
| Mid Level | 3% |
| Senior Level | 2% |
| Top Level | 4% |
| Experienced | 7% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of May 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Design Engineer, Senior compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $121,126 in 2023 to approximately $121,234 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Design Engineer, Senior salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Design Engineer, Senior information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Design Engineer, Senior job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Design Engineer, Senior and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $111,350 | 65.3% | ||
| Bonus | $11,860 | 7.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $9,426 | 5.5% | ||
| 401K/403B | $5,175 | 3.0% | ||
| Disability | $2,464 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 4.9% | ||
| Pension | $6,653 | 3.9% | ||
| Time Off | $15,164 | 8.9% | ||
| Total Compensation | $170,444 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.4% |
| High School | 3.3% |
| Associates | 7.2% |
| Bachelors | 48.7% |
| Masters | 35.1% |
| Doctorate | 5.4% |
What Am I Worth?
The highest salary for a Design Engineer is ₹1,29,170 per year. The average starting salary in India is around ₹1.8 Lakhs annually, requiring at least 1 year of experience. While the maximum salary for a Design Engineer can reach ₹60.0 Lakhs per year, the provided data indicates a more specific range for this role.
Among engineering roles, Design Engineers earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $106,200, a mid-range of $116,610, and a maximum of $129,170. While various engineering fields offer high pay, Design Engineers are well-compensated, reflecting their critical role in product development and innovation.
Yes, design engineers are in high demand due to their critical role in product development and innovation. With a salary range from $106,200 to $129,170, including a mid-salary of $116,610, the profession offers competitive compensation, reflecting the value placed on skilled engineers in various industries.
Can a design engineer make $500,000? Yes, but it's important to note that the typical salary range for design engineers is between $106,200 and $129,170. While some may achieve higher earnings through experience or specialized skills, not all design engineers will reach that level of compensation.
As of January 16, 2025, a Senior Design Engineer in the United States earns between $106,200 and $129,170 annually, with a median salary of $116,610. This translates to approximately $51.06 to $62.05 per hour, or $2,040 to $2,500 per week, and $8,840 to $10,833 per month.
While many engineering jobs can offer competitive salaries, positions like Senior Design Engineer typically range from a minimum of $106,200 to a mid-salary of $116,610, with a maximum of $129,170. To reach a salary of $200k, you may need to consider specialized roles or leadership positions in high-demand sectors.
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.
