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As of October 2025, the average salary for an Engineer in Charge stands at $98,834 per year. This position plays a crucial role in overseeing engineering projects, coordinating teams, and ensuring the successful execution of tasks. Factors influencing salary include geographical location, years of experience, and the specific industry sector.
Salaries for Engineers in Charge can differ widely by state. For instance, states with a high demand for engineering talent, such as California and Texas, often provide higher compensation. It’s essential to consider where you are based when evaluating job offers.
Entry-level Engineers in Charge might expect to earn less, whereas those with significant experience and advanced skills can command salaries well above the average. As you gain expertise, you can explore opportunities that not only enhance your job satisfaction but also your earning potential.
With the right qualifications, the Engineer in Charge role offers a pathway to a rewarding career. Explore job listings that match your skills and ambitions to maximize your opportunities in this vital industry.
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| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level engineer in charge | $65,900 | $31.69 |
| Mid-level engineer in charge | $105,000 | $50.51 |
| Senior-level engineer in charge | $155,000 | $74.69 |
The highest-paying states for engineers in charge are New Jersey, Hawaii, and California. The lowest average engineer in charge salary states are Tennessee, Arkansas, and Kentucky.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $111,729 | $53.72 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $111,437 | $53.58 |
| 3 | Washington | $111,416 | $53.57 |
| 4 | Vermont | $110,391 | $53.07 |
| 5 | California | $115,692 | $55.62 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $122,733 | $59.01 |
| 7 | Alabama | $100,546 | $48.34 |
| 8 | Texas | $104,221 | $50.11 |
| 9 | Delaware | $104,549 | $50.26 |
| 10 | District of Columbia | $114,299 | $54.95 |
| 11 | New York | $113,292 | $54.47 |
| 12 | Maryland | $111,266 | $53.49 |
| 13 | Florida | $104,603 | $50.29 |
| 14 | Hawaii | $115,891 | $55.72 |
| 15 | Alaska | $109,003 | $52.41 |
| 16 | Louisiana | $109,624 | $52.70 |
| 17 | Missouri | $100,661 | $48.39 |
| 18 | Oklahoma | $100,085 | $48.12 |
| 19 | North Carolina | $98,450 | $47.33 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $99,389 | $47.78 |
| 21 | Michigan | $94,799 | $45.58 |
| 22 | Maine | $96,494 | $46.39 |
| 23 | Minnesota | $98,622 | $47.41 |
| 24 | Illinois | $99,850 | $48.00 |
| 25 | Indiana | $96,585 | $46.44 |
| 26 | Virginia | $95,540 | $45.93 |
| 27 | Iowa | $91,114 | $43.80 |
| 28 | Idaho | $96,434 | $46.36 |
| 29 | Wyoming | $90,138 | $43.34 |
| 30 | Georgia | $92,754 | $44.59 |
| 31 | South Dakota | $93,606 | $45.00 |
| 32 | Rhode Island | $95,388 | $45.86 |
| 33 | Kansas | $90,464 | $43.49 |
| 34 | Wisconsin | $91,622 | $44.05 |
| 35 | Colorado | $88,980 | $42.78 |
| 36 | Arizona | $85,946 | $41.32 |
| 37 | Connecticut | $91,906 | $44.19 |
| 38 | Nebraska | $89,855 | $43.20 |
| 39 | Oregon | $86,708 | $41.69 |
| 40 | Pennsylvania | $90,403 | $43.46 |
| 41 | New Hampshire | $90,716 | $43.61 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $90,426 | $43.47 |
| 43 | Nevada | $87,697 | $42.16 |
| 44 | West Virginia | $86,416 | $41.55 |
| 45 | Utah | $73,876 | $35.52 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $84,938 | $40.84 |
| 47 | Tennessee | $85,515 | $41.11 |
| 48 | Mississippi | $87,023 | $41.84 |
| 49 | Ohio | $82,794 | $39.80 |
| 50 | Kentucky | $83,715 | $40.25 |
| 51 | Montana | $78,689 | $37.83 |
The highest-paying cities for engineers in charge are Palo Alto, CA, Los Angeles, CA, and Pittsfield, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palo Alto, CA | $120,251 | $57.81 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $114,151 | $54.88 |
| 3 | Pittsfield, MA | $111,740 | $53.72 |
| 4 | Houma, LA | $110,438 | $53.10 |
| 5 | Youngsville, LA | $110,315 | $53.04 |
| 6 | Alice, TX | $105,508 | $50.73 |
| 7 | Minot, ND | $99,641 | $47.90 |
| 8 | Luxemburg, WI | $92,533 | $44.49 |
| 9 | Greenville, SC | $89,947 | $43.24 |
| 10 | Platteville, CO | $89,106 | $42.84 |
| 11 | Hillsboro, OR | $86,908 | $41.78 |
An engineer in charge's salary ranges from $80,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $120,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $120,000 | $10,000 | $58 |
| 75th Percentile | $109,000 | $9,083 | $52 |
| Average | $98,834 | $8,236 | $48 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,000 | $7,417 | $43 |
| 10th Percentile | $80,000 | $6,667 | $38 |
The highest paying types of engineers in charge are electrical engineer lead, senior electrical engineer, and system design engineer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical & Instrumentation Designer | $81,188 | $6,766 | $39.03 | 81,243 |
| Electrical Designer | $64,930 | $5,411 | $31.22 | 82,332 |
| Instrumentation & Control Engineer | $92,464 | $7,705 | $44.45 | 51,065 |
| Electrical Controls Engineer | $82,681 | $6,890 | $39.75 | 54,037 |
| Electrical Project Engineer | $84,342 | $7,029 | $40.55 | 67,802 |
| Electrical Design Engineer | $83,944 | $6,995 | $40.36 | 87,121 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for Engineers in charge, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Michael Rudisill
Department Head and Professor of Engineering Technology, Northern Michigan University
Top companies hiring engineers in charge now:
Engineer in charge salaries at WMSN FOX 47 News, Madison and Tesla are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average engineer in charge salary at companies like Daifuku Webb Holding and Berkshire Medical Center are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WMSN FOX 47 News, Madison | $107,962 | $51.90 |
| 2 | Tesla | $103,861 | $49.93 |
| 3 | Daifuku Webb Holding | $102,555 | $49.31 |
| 4 | Berkshire Medical Center | $101,468 | $48.78 |
| 5 | Daifuku Usa Inc | $97,541 | $46.89 |
| 6 | Smith International South America Inc | $97,541 | $46.89 |
The average engineer in charge salary has risen by $14,615 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average engineer in charge earned $84,219 annually, but today, they earn $98,834 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for engineers in charge over the last decade.
Compare engineer in charge salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare engineer in charge salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $98,800 | $47.52 | +2.3% |
| 2025 | $96,600 | $46.43 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $94,700 | $45.54 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $93,200 | $44.80 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | $92,300 | $44.40 | +1.3% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATCS | Responsible Charge Engineer | Newport News, VA | 05/16/2025 | $110,000 |
| ATSC, PLC | Responsible Charge Engineer | Newport News, VA | 05/15/2025 | $110,000 |
| Apple Inc. | Engineer In Charge | Culver City, CA | 03/09/2025 | $129,600 |
| Wnet | Engineer-In-Charge, NJ PBS-Fixed-Term/Temporary | Newark, NJ | 02/28/2025 | $162,786 |
| City of New York | Engineer-In-Charge | Hope, IN | 02/18/2025 | $90,667 |
| Scoutmotors | Engineer, Charging Controls and Calibration | Novi, MI | 02/18/2025 | $125,000 |
| Scout Motors Forum | Engineer, Charging Controls and Calibration Novi, Michigan, United States | Bowne, MI | 02/18/2025 | $125,000 |
| City of New York | Engineer-IN-Charge | Lincoln, NE | 02/17/2025 | $81,108 |
| ATCS | Responsible Charge Engineer | Herndon, VA | 02/16/2025 | $110,000 |
| ATSC, PLC | Responsible Charge Engineer | Charlottesville, VA | 02/14/2025 | $110,000 |
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