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Chief of Engineering Salary in the United States

How much does a Chief of Engineering make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief of Engineering in the United States is $302,684 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $146.

However, a Chief of Engineering's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $340,876
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $277,395 to $322,675
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $254,371
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Chief of Engineering Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Chief of Engineering Salaries

A Chief of Engineering'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 Chief of Engineering Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chief of Engineering'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): $181,662
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $202,966
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $237,766
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $298,519
  • Expert (over 8 years): $375,313
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Engineering Senior Manager less than 1 year $181,662
Engineering Director 1-2 years $202,966
VP of Engineering 2-4 years $237,766
Chief of Engineering 5-8 years $298,519
Chief Engineering Officer over 8 years $375,313

How Do Chief of Engineering 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 Chief of Engineerings. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $335,132.
  • California: $333,860.
  • Massachusetts: $329,411.

Top Paying Cities for Chief of Engineering

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: $381,775
  • San Francisco: $377,595
  • Oakland: $369,638

Chief of Engineering Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chief of Engineering roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 33% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Chief of Engineering positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chief of Engineering as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chief of Engineering

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet $357,167 $172.0 18%
Energy & Utilities $339,006 $163.0 12%
Pharmaceuticals $335,979 $162.0 11%
Biotechnology $332,952 $160.0 10%
Financial Services $332,952 $160.0 10%

How Education impacts a Chief of Engineering's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Chief of Engineering professionals enter the field with a Bachelor'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 Chief of Engineering with a Bachelor's is between $283,387 and $302,109.

Chief of Engineering Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Chief of Engineering
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.2%
High School 1.9%
Associate's Degree 2%
Bachelor's Degree 32.2%
Master's Degree or MBA 47.4%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 16.1%
View as Graph

Chief of Engineering Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chief of Engineering'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 September 01, 2026
$277,395
Average $302,684/year
$322,675
$23,116
Average $25,224/month
$26,890
$5,335
Average $5,821/week
$6,205
$133
Average $146/hour
$155
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $322,675 $26,890 $6,205 $155
Average $302,684 $25,224 $5,821 $146
25th Percentile $277,395 $23,116 $5,335 $133

Most common benefits for Chief of Engineering

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

Common company salaries for Chief of Engineering

Here are companies hiring for Chief of Engineering and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Chief of Engineering Job

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

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Field Service Technician

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Mechanical Field Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Field Service Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    9 Days Ago

  • CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    SVP Revenue Growth

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    A Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Next Phase of Growth. CyLogic is seeking an experienced revenue leader to oversee Sales and Marketing, strengthen go-... more

    10 Days Ago

  • ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    Staff Accountant

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue is partnering with a well-established and growing organization in Ashburn, VA to identify a Staff Accountant to join its corporate accounting ... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    Senior Account

    Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    About the Opportunity. ACG Systems is a mission-critical communications platform. Through Morcom, an ACG Systems company, we design, deploy, and support wi... more

    10 Days Ago

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FAQ about Chief of Engineering

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Chief of Engineering?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Chief of Engineering roles, with salaries approximately 18% 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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