Automation Engineer Salary in 2026
Design and implement automated testing and deployment systems to improve software quality.
Median Salary
$108,000
$9,000/mo
Entry Level
$75,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$155,000
experienced
Job Growth
+20%
10-yr outlook
Automation Engineer Overview
Design and implement automated testing and deployment systems to improve software quality.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
3-5 years
Industry
Technology
Total Jobs (US)
95K
5-Year Growth
+15%
Category
Technology
Hourly Rate
$51.92/hr
Monthly Pay
$9,000
Automation Engineer Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Automation Engineer salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Automation Engineer Salary
$128,000
$10,667/month · $4,923/biweekly · $61.54/hr
Automation Engineer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Automation Engineer field.
Entry-level Automation Engineers earn around $75,000, while the top 10% earn $170,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Automation Engineers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $127,000 | +$19,000 |
| Washington | $121,000 | +$13,000 |
| Texas | $106,000 | $-2,000 |
| Michigan | $103,000 | $-5,000 |
| Ohio | $103,000 | $-5,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Automation Engineers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $135,000 | +$27,000 |
| Seattle | $123,000 | +$15,000 |
| Austin | $111,000 | +$3,000 |
| Houston | $107,000 | $-1,000 |
| Detroit | $103,000 | $-5,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Automation Engineer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Automation Engineer from entry level to expert.
$75,000
0-2 years
$115,000
3-7 years
$155,000
8-14 years
$185,000
15+ years
Related Technology Jobs
Automation Engineer Salary FAQ
Explore More Job Salaries
Compare salary data for hundreds of jobs across all industries. Find out what you should be earning.