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 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Automation Engineer Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Automation Engineer.
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
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Automation Engineer Salary FAQ
How much does a Automation Engineer make in 2026?
Salario's modeled median salary for a Automation Engineer in the United States is $108,000 per year in 2026. Entry-level positions start around $75,000, while senior professionals earn up to $155,000. Top earners in the field can make $185,000 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Automation Engineer?
A Automation Engineer typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 3-5 years of experience. Key skills include Python, Selenium, CI/CD. Relevant certifications such as ISTQB Certification can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Automation Engineers?
The job market for Automation Engineers is projected to grow by 20% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 95K Automation Engineer positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 15%, reflecting strong demand for this role.
Which states pay Automation Engineers the most?
The highest-paying states for Automation Engineers include California, Texas, Michigan. In California, the median salary is approximately $127,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Automation Engineer salary?
To increase your Automation Engineer salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Python and Selenium. Pursue certifications such as ISTQB Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like San Francisco. With 3-5 years of experience, you can progress from $75,000 to $155,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Automation Engineer Salary
How we calculate Automation Engineer salary data: Automation Engineer has no defensible BLS occupation crosswalk, so the national median, tiers, state and city figures on this page are Salario estimates built from public wage references and job-posting data, not BLS survey values.
- National median salary: $108,000, Salario estimate (not a BLS value).
- Entry-level ($75,000) and senior-level ($155,000) are Salario tiers; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +20% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 95K total positions nationwide (Salario estimate).
- 5-year salary growth: 15% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Technology sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $108,000; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Automation Engineer compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Automation Engineer job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Technology
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Automation Engineer salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Python, Selenium, CI/CD), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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