▼37%
$169,299
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
/ year
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
10%
$108k
MEDIAN
$169k
90%
$242k
The average salary for a Chief Engineer is $169,299 in 2025
Base Salary
$108k - $242k
Bonus
$3k - $46k
Profit Sharing
$251 - $41k
Total Pay
$119k - $273k
Is Average Late-Career Chief Engineer with Engineering Design Skills Salary your job title? Find out what you should be paid
Use our tool to get a personalized report on your market worth.What's this?
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What is the Pay by Experience Level for Chief Engineers?
What Do Chief Engineers Do?
Find your market worth – how it works:
Common Health Benefits for a Chief Engineer
Medical
95%
Dental
90%
Vision
80%
None
5%
Gender Breakdown for Chief Engineers
Male
89.4%
Female
10.6%
This data is based on 47 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
FAQs About Chief Engineers
What is the highest pay for Chief Engineers?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Chief Engineer is $242k / year
What is the lowest pay for Chief Engineers?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Chief Engineer is $108k / year
How can Chief Engineers increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Chief Engineer is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Chief Engineer that oversees more junior Chief Engineers, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.