Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Engineering trainee salary
Average engineering trainee salary
$60,235
Average Engineering Trainee Salary
The average salary for an engineering trainee in the United States is approximately $60,235 per year, translating to around $29 per hour. This figure can vary based on location, experience, and the specific engineering discipline. For example, trainees in high-demand areas or specialized fields may earn more.
Engineering Trainee Salaries by Experience Level
Experience significantly impacts salary levels. Entry-level positions typically start lower, while those with more experience can command higher wages. As trainees gain skills and responsibilities, their earning potential increases.
Highest Paying Cities for Engineering Trainees
Certain cities offer more competitive salaries for engineering trainees. Areas with high concentrations of engineering firms or technology companies often provide better pay. Cities like San Francisco and Seattle are known for higher salary ranges, reflecting the cost of living and demand for talent.
Explore Opportunities
To maximize your earning potential, consider relocating to states or cities with higher average salaries for engineering trainees. Researching job openings in these areas can help you find positions that match your career goals and financial aspirations.
Let Zippia find your next engineering trainee job
Let Zippia find your next engineering trainee job
Where can an Engineering Trainee earn more?
Engineering trainee salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level engineering trainee | $53,900 | $25.92 |
| Mid-level engineering trainee | $67,100 | $32.25 |
| Senior-level engineering trainee | $84,700 | $40.72 |
Average engineering trainee salary by state
The average engineering trainee salary in New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Michigan are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average engineering trainee salary states are West Virginia, Wisconsin, and South Dakota.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for engineering trainees
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $77,404 | $37.21 |
| 2 | Michigan | $76,206 | $36.64 |
| 3 | Washington | $66,226 | $31.84 |
| 4 | Virginia | $66,766 | $32.10 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $79,006 | $37.98 |
| 6 | Illinois | $69,056 | $33.20 |
| 7 | Texas | $64,756 | $31.13 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $63,656 | $30.60 |
| 9 | Delaware | $62,414 | $30.01 |
| 10 | District of Columbia | $73,403 | $35.29 |
| 11 | North Dakota | $57,290 | $27.54 |
| 12 | Alaska | $63,170 | $30.37 |
| 13 | California | $73,636 | $35.40 |
| 14 | Maine | $59,544 | $28.63 |
| 15 | Massachusetts | $63,831 | $30.69 |
| 16 | Vermont | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| 17 | Arizona | $60,233 | $28.96 |
| 18 | Maryland | $66,320 | $31.88 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | $61,919 | $29.77 |
| 20 | Oklahoma | $62,066 | $29.84 |
| 21 | Minnesota | $62,048 | $29.83 |
| 22 | North Carolina | $60,432 | $29.05 |
| 23 | Ohio | $59,622 | $28.66 |
| 24 | Alabama | $56,147 | $26.99 |
| 25 | Wyoming | $53,673 | $25.80 |
| 26 | Mississippi | $54,984 | $26.43 |
| 27 | Arkansas | $53,568 | $25.75 |
| 28 | Colorado | $57,968 | $27.87 |
| 29 | Idaho | $55,641 | $26.75 |
| 30 | Georgia | $59,774 | $28.74 |
| 31 | New York | $60,967 | $29.31 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $57,779 | $27.78 |
| 33 | Indiana | $56,304 | $27.07 |
| 34 | Connecticut | $54,010 | $25.97 |
| 35 | Hawaii | $56,128 | $26.98 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $53,979 | $25.95 |
| 37 | Utah | $50,252 | $24.16 |
| 38 | Iowa | $53,402 | $25.67 |
| 39 | West Virginia | $45,922 | $22.08 |
| 40 | Oregon | $49,469 | $23.78 |
| 41 | Missouri | $53,650 | $25.79 |
| 42 | South Dakota | $43,589 | $20.96 |
| 43 | Florida | $50,962 | $24.50 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $50,875 | $24.46 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $48,745 | $23.44 |
| 46 | Wisconsin | $44,998 | $21.63 |
| 47 | Kansas | $50,880 | $24.46 |
| 48 | Nevada | $52,111 | $25.05 |
| 49 | Montana | $40,955 | $19.69 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $40,560 | $19.50 |
| 51 | Kentucky | $42,013 | $20.20 |
Highest paying cities for engineering trainees
The highest-paying cities for engineering trainees are Livingston, NJ, Modesto, CA, and Troy, MI.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Livingston, NJ | $79,103 | $38.03 |
| 2 | Modesto, CA | $77,253 | $37.14 |
| 3 | Troy, MI | $76,342 | $36.70 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $69,191 | $33.26 |
| 5 | Houston, TX | $65,105 | $31.30 |
| 6 | Tulsa, OK | $62,257 | $29.93 |
| 7 | Harrisburg, PA | $61,883 | $29.75 |
| 8 | Owatonna, MN | $61,695 | $29.66 |
| 9 | Buffalo, NY | $60,742 | $29.20 |
| 10 | Cleveland, OH | $60,247 | $28.96 |
| 11 | Tucson, AZ | $60,191 | $28.94 |
| 12 | Post Falls, ID | $57,847 | $27.81 |
| 13 | Colorado Springs, CO | $57,811 | $27.79 |
| 14 | Columbus, IN | $55,906 | $26.88 |
| 15 | Council Bluffs, IA | $52,453 | $25.22 |
| 16 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $51,007 | $24.52 |
| 17 | Beaverton, OR | $49,695 | $23.89 |
| 18 | Baton Rouge, LA | $40,592 | $19.52 |
Engineering trainee salary details
An engineering trainee's salary ranges from $43,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $82,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an engineering trainee's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $82,000 | $6,833 | $39 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,000 | $5,917 | $34 |
| Average | $60,235 | $5,020 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
| 10th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
Highest paying engineering trainee jobs
The highest paying types of engineering trainees are electronics engineer, radio frequency engineer, and controls engineer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer Internship | $63,398 | $5,283 | $30.48 | 80,744 |
| Radio Frequency Engineer | $88,301 | $7,358 | $42.45 | 35,158 |
| Co-Operations Engineer | $42,618 | $3,552 | $20.49 | 86,804 |
| Process Engineer Internship | $39,495 | $3,291 | $18.99 | 87,030 |
| Project Engineer Internship | $40,356 | $3,363 | $19.40 | 69,593 |
| Design Engineer Internship | $55,346 | $4,612 | $26.61 | 139,842 |
Top companies hiring engineering trainees now:
Which companies pay engineering trainees the most?
Engineering trainee salaries at Crown Holdings and InDepth Engineering Solutions are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average engineering trainee salary at companies like National Railroad Passenger Corporation and Testengeer are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crown Holdings | $68,987 | $33.17 |
| 2 | InDepth Engineering Solutions | $66,684 | $32.06 |
| 3 | National Railroad Passenger Corporation | $66,609 | $32.02 |
| 4 | Testengeer | $66,581 | $32.01 |
| 5 | RBC Bearings | $66,076 | $31.77 |
| 6 | Smiths Group | $64,912 | $31.21 |
| 7 | City of Modesto | $64,155 | $30.84 |
| 8 | Oklahoma Natural Gas | $63,631 | $30.59 |
| 9 | Anheuser-Busch | $62,536 | $30.07 |
| 10 | ONEOK | $62,169 | $29.89 |
| 11 | The Mountain | $61,571 | $29.60 |
| 12 | San Bernardino County | $61,194 | $29.42 |
| 13 | Bridgestone | $61,135 | $29.39 |
| 14 | Lincoln Electric | $60,766 | $29.21 |
| 15 | Craneveyor | $60,375 | $29.03 |
| 16 | Sage Hospitality | $60,286 | $28.98 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania State Treasurer | $60,199 | $28.94 |
| 18 | Nunhems U.S. | $60,198 | $28.94 |
| 19 | JLL | $60,011 | $28.85 |
| 20 | ENSCO | $59,945 | $28.82 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Engineering Trainee salary by industry
The average engineering trainee salary varies across industries:
- The average engineering trainee salary in the energy industry is $63,253, the highest of any industry.
- The average engineering trainee salary in the finance industry is $62,220.
- Engineering trainees in the manufacturing industry earn an average salary of $59,813, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for engineering trainees
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Energy | $63,253 | $30.41 |
| 2 | Construction | $62,220 | $29.91 |
| 3 | Automotive | $61,363 | $29.50 |
| 4 | Transportation | $61,102 | $29.38 |
| 5 | Technology | $60,177 | $28.93 |
| 6 | Manufacturing | $59,813 | $28.76 |
High paying engineering trainee jobs
Engineering trainee salary trends
The average engineering trainee salary has risen by $8,984 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average engineering trainee earned $51,251 annually, but today, they earn $60,235 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for engineering trainees over the last decade.
Compare engineering trainee salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average engineering trainee salary over time
Compare engineering trainee salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Engineering trainee salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $60,200 | $28.96 | +1.8% |
| 2025 | $59,100 | $28.43 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $57,500 | $27.66 | +0.5% |
| 2023 | $57,200 | $27.52 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | $55,600 | $26.72 | +0.9% |
Recently added engineering trainee salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loyola University of Chicago Inc. | Engineer Trainee | Chicago, IL | 06/28/2025 | $33,809 |
| CCC Social Sourcing | Engineer-Trainee | Chicago, IL | 06/21/2025 | $37,566 |
| City Colleges of Chicago | Engineer-Trainee | Chicago, IL | 06/20/2025 | $37,566 |
| Madison, City of | Traffic Signal Priority Engineer (Trainee Eligible)* | Madison, WI | 06/18/2025 | $83,479 |
| City of Madison (Wi | Traffic Signal Priority Engineer (Trainee Eligible)* | Madison, WI | 06/18/2025 | $83,479 |
| State of West Virginia | Engineer Trainee-DEP-Environmental Protection-Kanawha CO. | Charleston, WV | 06/18/2025 | $50,242 |
| Division of Financial Institutions | Engineer Trainee-DEP-Environmental Protection-Kanawha CO. | Charleston, WV | 06/18/2025 | $50,242 |
| State of New York | Engineer Trainee/Assistant Engineer (Civil/Transportation) NY Helps Region 4 | Rochester, NY | 06/13/2025 | $66,951 |
| State of Florida | Engineer Trainee | DeLand, FL | 05/24/2025 | $56,146 |
| City of Beaverton | Engineering Trainee | Beaverton, OR | 05/24/2025 | $45,664 |
Engineering trainee salary FAQs
Search for engineering trainee jobs