Engineering Salary Calculator
What you should earn — by discipline, years, state, and P.E. status.
Typical range $104,000 – $136,000 (base only)
How this is calculated+
base = discipline_median + (discipline_senior − discipline_median) × log₁₀(years+1) / log₁₀(21)
total = base × state_multiplier × (1.15 if P.E.) × (1.12 if manager)
Range shown is base × 0.88 (10th-pct) to base × 1.15 (75th-pct). Bonus and equity not included.
Estimates use BLS OEWS medians and EngineerMint's verified roster. Actual offers vary ±20% based on employer, metro within state, and negotiation.
Frequently asked questions
How are these salary estimates calculated?+
We start from national median base pay by discipline (BLS OEWS plus EngineerMint's verified roster). The number is scaled by years of experience using a log-linear progression, a state cost-of-labor multiplier, and a P.E. license premium of ~15%.
Does this include bonus and equity?+
No. The output is base salary only. Add 5-20% for bonus in industry, 10-40% for cash bonus + equity at tech and energy majors.
Why is software so much higher than civil?+
Software trades against a tech labor market that competes with FAANG total comp. Civil trades against public-works budgets. Same intelligence and rigor, different markets.
Does a P.E. license really pay off?+
On average yes — about 10-25% lift in base, plus access to engineer-of-record roles you cannot hold without one. Over a 30-year career the present value is six figures.
How accurate is this for cities vs. states?+
The state multiplier captures cost-of-labor but not metro premium. SF and Seattle pay above state median; rural CA and rural WA pay below. Treat the number as ±15% within a state.
Where do you get the data?+
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, state-board PE rosters, and self-reported verified comp from engineers using EngineerMint. We re-baseline twice a year.