Engineer Salary Levels – Learn More

The Engineering classification varies in the matrix so does the salary. The responsibilities change as one grows up the ladder so does the salary.  Statistics and logic do state, that the more experience you acquire, the more responsibility you have, and the more you get responsible you become, the more the salary. Keep reading to know about Engineer salary levels.

Engineer Salary Levels - Learn More

Engineering has a wide range of careers and each sector is classified into levels to divide responsibilities. Starting at Staff Engineer 1 up to Staff Engineer 3 before moving up to more senior roles, senior and principal staff engineers. The salary range is also classified into different levels with an arguable increase of 10%-20% with each level.

The Different Engineer Levels

Staff Engineer 1 

This role can also be classified as entry-level. This role does not require any work experience but does require a university-accredited science degree. The candidate for this role has very little if any responsibility at all. This is an early stage of my career with a salary range of almost $90000 annually. 

Staff Engineer 2

The responsibilities in this role move up a bit as one has gained a bit of experience (+4 years) in the industry. Just as in level 1, one continues to work on projects, in addition to simple projects, one works on more complex projects to continue to expand their skillsets and prepare for a much bigger one if one chooses to grow. This can be classified as mid-career, coming in with more skillset than when you started when you left college. The skills you acquire, the more responsibilities you have and begin to work on more projects, placing one at the salary range of about $176,900 annually. But at an average salary of $110,000.

Staff Engineer 3

The staff Engineer 3 works independently and works on more complex projects. Due to working independently, more experience (has acquired more skillsets) and almost at the senior level, thus placing them at a leadership level, which goes without saying that of the skills acquired over time are interpersonal skills enhancing your communication skills. Although one has more skillset on this level, it is still perceived as a Mid-career with the same salary of $176,900 per year just as the Staff Engineer 2.

Senior Staff Engineer 

Every organization has goals and mission statements and at the top of the management chain, some people ought to ensure these are met, the engineering sector is no different. The Senior Staff Engineer is responsible for ensuring company goals are being pursued. An accredited university degree and 15+ years of experience, thus makes them eligible to manage a large group in the organization with minimal supervision and also responsible for planning most of the company’s projects, from simple to the most complex projects for the company. The senior engineer ranges a bit higher than the average, depending on the organization.

Principal Staff Engineer 

Every work environment has goals and missions as stated earlier, the responsibility of the principal is to ensure the Lab’s (work environment) missions are met. The Principal Engineer works solely independently with outcomes reviewed by top Lab management, leaving the principal in charge of a very large group working in the Lab, it is safe, to sum up, that they are responsible for all the other Staff Engineers, from Staff Engineer 1 to the Senior Staff Engineer. Ranges higher in salary than all.

What is the Engineer salary level (Salary scale)?

Engineers start their early careers with a pay of $94,500 and a mid-career salary range of $176,900 placing them at an average salary range of about $110,000.

How to become an Engineer?

It takes up to 4/5 years to complete a university degree and become an accredited Engineer followed by post-education examinations, specialization, supervised training, and continued education which can take up to 8-12 years (known as an advanced engineering degree). However, one can obtain an engineering qualification in a period of two years through technical schools and some community colleges.

How does one grow in the engineering sector?

It is simple to grow in the Engineering sector, one just has to be hard working. Work on projects that extend your horizon and skills. Moving up the ladder means more management which involves different skillsets.

What do Engineers do?

Engineers use the principles of Mathematics and Science in their work to obtain results that are then further used to better and shape the world’s economy or even improve the quality of life through technology and many other scientific factors.

What is the Engineering salary rank in comparison to other careers?

The overall average salary range is $110,000, This places Engineering careers at least top two of the most paying occupations at number 1 in the Medical Sector with an early career pay of $107,446 annually going up to $351,827 annually.

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics career sector, also known as STEM, advocates for all careers that use and apply the principles of both Math and Science with the salary start-up being fairly high at an amount of about $94 000 in comparison with some of the careers which can start as low as $11 000 per year (with the potential to grow over time). Different engineering levels also call for different salary levels with the potential to grow.

Frequently Asked Questions.
  1. Who are Engineers?

Engineers, as defined by most dictionaries worldwide are people who design, build, or even maintain machines and engines together with structures. 

You can read more about an Engineer and Engineering as a whole here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineer

  1. How much do Engineers make yearly?

Engineers’ average salary is $92,781 per year but varies in experience and development background. 

  1. Where do Engineers work?

Most engineers work in office buildings, laboratories, and/or industrial plants, and those who specialize in structures are likely to spend some time outdoors on construction sites and travel all around… 

  1. Where to obtain an Engineer’s qualification?

Known as the B.Eng. and/or BSc, the Engineering qualification can be obtained in multiple universities worldwide. 

Engineer Salary Levels – Learn More

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to top