Assistant Engineer Trainee Salary in the United States

How much does an Assistant Engineer Trainee make in the United States? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Engineer Trainee in the United States is $81,278 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $90,858
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $75,282 to $86,293
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $69,823

Key Factors That Influence Assistant Engineer Trainee Salaries

An Assistant Engineer Trainee'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 Assistant Engineer Trainee Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Assistant Engineer Trainee'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): $80,233
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $95,952
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $115,700
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $140,869
  • Expert (over 8 years): $166,209
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Assistant Engineer Trainee less than 1 year $80,233
Reliability Engineer II 1-2 years $95,952
Reliability Engineer III 2-4 years $115,700
Reliability Engineer IV 5-8 years $140,869
Reliability Engineer V over 8 years $166,209

Top Paying Cities for Assistant Engineer Trainee

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: $102,516
  • San Francisco: $101,393
  • Oakland: $99,256

Assistant Engineer Trainee Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Assistant Engineer Trainee 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, Assistant Engineer Trainee positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Assistant Engineer Trainee as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Assistant Engineer Trainee

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction $97,533 $47.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $97,533 $47.0 20%
Energy & Utilities $93,469 $45.0 15%
Aerospace & Defense $89,405 $43.0 10%
MFG Durable $89,405 $43.0 10%

How Education impacts an Assistant Engineer Trainee's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Assistant Engineer Trainee 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 an Assistant Engineer Trainee with a Associate's is between $75,790 and $78,928.

Assistant Engineer Trainee Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Assistant Engineer Trainee
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%

Assistant Engineer Trainee Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Assistant Engineer Trainee'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
$75,282
Average $81,278/year
$86,293
$6,273
Average $6,773/month
$7,191
$1,448
Average $1,563/week
$1,659
$36
Average $39/hour
$41
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $86,293 $7,191 $1,659 $41
Average $81,278 $6,773 $1,563 $39
25th Percentile $75,282 $6,273 $1,448 $36

Most common benefits for Assistant Engineer Trainee

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

Common company salaries for Assistant Engineer Trainee

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

Find Your Next Assistant Engineer Trainee Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Assistant Engineer Trainee 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

    18 Days Ago

  • Titan Medical Group, LLC | Columbus, OH

    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

    18 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

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

    21 Days Ago

  • C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    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

    26 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

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

    28 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

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

    28 Days Ago

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FAQ about Assistant Engineer Trainee

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

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Assistant Engineer Trainee 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.)

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