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2nd Assistant Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a 2nd Assistant Engineer make in the United States? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a 2nd Assistant Engineer in the United States is $78,495 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

However, a 2nd Assistant Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $87,747
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $72,704 to $83,338
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $67,432
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out 2nd Assistant Engineer Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence 2nd Assistant Engineer Salaries

A 2nd Assistant 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.

How Experience Level Affects 2nd Assistant Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 2nd Assistant 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $77,486
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $92,666
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $111,739
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $136,046
  • Expert (over 8 years): $160,518
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
2nd Assistant Engineer less than 1 year $77,486
Reliability Engineer II 1-2 years $92,666
Reliability Engineer III 2-4 years $111,739
Reliability Engineer IV 5-8 years $136,046
Reliability Engineer V over 8 years $160,518

How Do 2nd Assistant Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 2nd Assistant Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $86,910.
  • California: $86,580.
  • Massachusetts: $85,426.

Top Paying Cities for 2nd Assistant Engineer

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $99,006
  • San Francisco: $97,922
  • Oakland: $95,858

2nd Assistant Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For 2nd Assistant Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, 2nd Assistant Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view 2nd Assistant Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a 2nd Assistant Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction $94,194 $45.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $94,194 $45.0 20%
Energy & Utilities $90,269 $43.0 15%
Aerospace & Defense $86,344 $42.0 10%
MFG Durable $86,344 $42.0 10%

How Education impacts a 2nd Assistant Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many 2nd Assistant Engineer professionals enter the field with a Associate's 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 2nd Assistant Engineer with a Associate's is between $75,790 and $78,928.

2nd Assistant Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for 2nd Assistant Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 2.6%
High School 2.6%
Associate's Degree 9%
Bachelor's Degree 56.4%
Master's Degree or MBA 26.9%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 5.1%
View as Graph

2nd Assistant Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a 2nd Assistant 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$72,704
Average $78,495/year
$83,338
$6,059
Average $6,541/month
$6,945
$1,398
Average $1,510/week
$1,603
$35
Average $38/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $83,338 $6,945 $1,603 $40
Average $78,495 $6,541 $1,510 $38
25th Percentile $72,704 $6,059 $1,398 $35

Most common benefits for 2nd Assistant Engineer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for 2nd Assistant Engineer

Here are companies hiring for 2nd Assistant Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next 2nd Assistant Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current 2nd Assistant Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Ohio State Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital | Columbus, OH

    RN

    Ohio State Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital | Columbus, OH

    Travel Rn Stepdown (Pcu) Shift. Night shift - 12 hours. Start date: 09/21/2026. End date: 12/21/2026. Duration: 13 weeks. City: Columbus. State: OH more

    17 Days Ago

  • Titan Medical Group, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Travel OR RN

    Titan Medical Group, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Travel Or Position. Titan Medical is looking for travelers to fill a travel OR position for a 13-week assignment in Columbus, OH more

    17 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President Internal Communications

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President, Internal Communications. About the Company. National consulting & advisory services firm focused on the healthcare industry. Indu... more

    20 Days Ago

  • C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Local CDL

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    25 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President Payments Engineering

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Payments Engineering. About the Company. Globally-recognized provider of corporate payment solutions. Industry. Financial Services. Type. P... more

    27 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Senior Vice President of Project Delivery

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Senior Vice President of Project Delivery. About the Company. A multi-billion-dollar construction organization with collaborative, servant-minded leadershi... more

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FAQ about 2nd Assistant Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for 2nd Assistant Engineer?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for 2nd Assistant Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.

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