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Design and Development Engineer Salary in North Carolina

How much does a Design and Development Engineer make in North Carolina? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Design and Development Engineer in North Carolina is $77,763 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, a Design and Development Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $87,548
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $74,021 to $82,885
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,615
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Design and Development Engineer Job Openings in North Carolina

Key Factors That Influence Design and Development Engineer Salaries

A Design and Development 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Design and Development Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Design and Development 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): $76,696
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $86,995
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $108,754
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $132,791
  • Expert (over 8 years): $155,555
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Design and Development Engineer less than 1 year $76,696
Product Design Engineer II 1-2 years $86,995
Product Design Engineer III 2-4 years $108,754
Product Design Engineer IV 5-8 years $132,791
Product Design Engineer V over 8 years $155,555

How Do Design and Development 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 Design and Development Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $90,602.
  • California: $90,258.
  • Massachusetts: $89,055.

Top Paying Cities for Design and Development 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:

  • Morven: $74,192
  • Mount Holly: $78,703
  • Mount Mourne: $77,588

Design and Development Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Design and Development Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Design and Development Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Design and Development Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Design and Development Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet $89,427 $43.0 15%
Pharmaceuticals $87,095 $42.0 12%
Biotechnology $85,539 $41.0 10%
Energy & Utilities $83,984 $40.0 8%
Aerospace & Defense $81,651 $39.0 5%

Design and Development Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Design and Development 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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$74,021
Average $77,763/year
$82,885
$6,168
Average $6,480/month
$6,907
$1,423
Average $1,495/week
$1,594
$36
Average $37/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $82,885 $6,907 $1,594 $40
Average $77,763 $6,480 $1,495 $37
25th Percentile $74,021 $6,168 $1,423 $36

Find Your Next Design and Development Engineer Job

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

  • Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems | Charlotte, NC

    Design Engineer ll

    Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems | Charlotte, NC

    Job Description. Job Description. Design Engineer ll. Ready to change the future, your way. This is an excellent opportunity for a driven Design Engineer I... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Renesas Electronics | Morrisville, NC

    Staff Mask Design Engineer

    Renesas Electronics | Morrisville, NC

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Description. Job Summary. We are looking for an experienced Staff Mask Design Engineer to join a highly skilled layou... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Celito Communications | Raleigh, NC

    Fiber Design Engineer

    Celito Communications | Raleigh, NC

    Job Description. Job Description. Position. Fiber Design Engineer. Location. Raleigh, NC . Job Type. Full Time, Salary. Celito Communications is seeking a ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems | Charlotte, NC

    Design Engineer Manager

    Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems | Charlotte, NC

    Job Description. Job Description. Design Engineering Manager. Ready to change the future, your way. This is an excellent opportunity for a driven Design En... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Prolec-GE Waukesha,Inc | Goldsboro, NC

    Electrical Design Engineer

    Prolec-GE Waukesha,Inc | Goldsboro, NC

    Job Description. Job Description.  . Prolec GE is now part of The GE Vernova Group. JOB SUMMARY.  . This position is responsible for executing portions of ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Bennett & Pless Inc | Charlotte, NC

    Structural Design Engineer

    Bennett & Pless Inc | Charlotte, NC

    Job Description. Job Description. Bring your structural design experience to a growing Charlotte team and help deliver high-quality project solutions. Abou... more

    8 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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