An automation engineer works to automate processes like electricity generation and manufacturing. Explore this exciting career, including the automation engineer salary and job outlook.
Automation is an important part of many industries, from manufacturing to energy to finance and health care. While technology can help organizations automate their processes, engineers who specialize in this and related areas are still necessary to develop new tools, solve problems, and implement and test new technology.
An automation engineer's salary is competitive, with an earning potential of over six figures annually. An advanced formal education, living and working in specific cities, and gaining experience may increase your salary. Explore how these factors can impact your salary as an automation engineer.
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An automation engineer helps a company streamline their processes and computer systems. Their ultimate goal is to create and improve technology to increase productivity and reduce costs. This role is needed in organizations specializing in production and manufacturing. For this reason, you may find yourself working in a factory or plant. Throughout your career, you'll help design, test, and implement automation technology, solve problems and find ways to improve existing technology. Some of your specific duties might include:
Identifying automation and efficiency opportunities
Designing automation systems and QA tests for functionality
Maintaining project files
Providing training and consultation on new technology
Designing advanced precision equipment
Installing new applications
Using specifications from clients and customers to create new technology
Identifying and correcting bugs, defects, and problems that arise during the automation process
As an automation engineer, you must develop several workplace and technical skills. Technical skills involve knowledge of computers, programming languages, actuators, robotics, and machine learning. Workplace skills you should possess include leadership, innovation, flexibility, communication, and problem-solving.
Read more: Automation vs. AI: Meaning, Differences, and Real World Uses
An automation engineer's salary is competitive and can sometimes reach over six figures. According to five popular job sites, the average range for this career path in the United States is $84,811 to $107,126. These amounts may not include additional forms of payments, like profit sharing, commission, or tips. The reported average annual salary for an automation engineer is [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]:
Zippia | Glassdoor | Indeed | ZipRecruiter | Payscale |
---|---|---|---|---|
$92,597 | $104,182 | $101,132 | $107,126 | $84,811 |
Many factors can influence your average automation engineer's salary. For example, the more education you have, the more likely you can earn a higher salary. This is also true for the amount of experience you have. Your industry may affect how much you earn, as can the geographic location where you live and work. Take a closer look at how much of a role these factors play in earning potential.
Most automation engineer employers want you to have a bachelor's degree in automation, computer science, or electrical or mechanical engineering. In some cases, an associate degree is acceptable. Also, keep in mind that some organizations may require you to have a more advanced degree to work there.
According to Zippia, 69 percent of automation engineers hold a bachelor’s degree, while 16 percent have a master’s and 11 percent have an associate degree. Even when a more advanced degree isn't necessary, Zippia reports that automation engineers with a master's or doctorate may make more than those with a bachelor's or associate degree [6]:
Degree Type | Associate | Bachelor's | Master's | Doctorate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Average Salary | $83,943 | $96,565 | $105,217 | $105,688 |
As with many careers, the more experience you have working as an automation engineer, the more likely you can earn a higher salary. Many employers want job candidates with an average of three to five years of experience, and some require even more [7]. Take a look at how much you might earn as you gain more experience [2]:
Years of Experience | 0–1 | 1–3 | 4–6 | 7–9 | 10–14 | 15+ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Average base salary | $79,204 | $86,289 | $94,509 | $102,859 | $114,559 | $127,675 |
Automation engineers can work in many industries, though manufacturing is the most common place where you'll find jobs. You may work in a factory or plant that makes vehicles, food, or pharmaceuticals. Waste management and infrastructure are also big fields for automation engineers. You may even find yourself working in software development or fulfillment for e-commerce. Some common employers for automation engineers include:
Apple
Carrier
Amazon
Marriott International
Jobot
Workday
Leidos
Take a look at how much automation engineers earn in various industries, according to Glassdoor [2]:
Manufacturing: $98,265
Aerospace and defense: $113,538
Agriculture: $106,193
Telecommunications: $103,082
Health care: $117,688
Real estate: $100,837
Legal: $104,999
Information technology: $109,773
Zippia reports that the highest-paying industries for automation engineers are [1]:
Retail: $109,438
Technology: $104,780
Hospitality: $92,375
Manufacturing: $87,142
The state and city where you live and work may impact your salary as an automation engineer. For example, California currently pays the most for this role, and most of the highest-paying states are on the West Coast, based on data gathered by Zippia [1]. While San Francisco is the highest-paying city for automation engineers, additional high-paying cities are spread throughout the United States. Take a look at the top 10 highest-paying cities for automation engineers, according to Zippia [1]:
San Francisco, California: $129,922
Seattle, Washington: $101,488
Hillsboro, Oregon: $95,805
Boston, Massachusetts: $92,938
Washington, DC: $89,807
Arlington, Virginia: $89,761
Portland, Maine: $89,563
Phoenix, Arizona: $89,386
Austin, Texas: $88,403
Salt Lake City, Utah: $87,148
Automation engineering job titles vary. Depending on what you do and your level of experience, you may have a unique job title and duties. Some common automation engineer jobs and their average base salaries include:
Automation designer: $101,541
Senior automation engineer: $127,895
Cloud automation engineer: $119,347
Test automation engineer: $97,256
QA automation engineer: $97,686
Project engineer: $94,649
Process controls engineer: $112,146
Junior automation engineer: $95,458
Automation systems engineer: $115,218
Automation engineer II: $116,714
While the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn't have a specific listing for automation engineers, it does have listings for industrial engineers. The outlook for this field from 2023 to 2033 is stronger than average, at 12 percent [8].
On one hand, the need for automation is growing. While companies use technology to increase productivity, businesses still need automation professionals to help with issues like the creativity and problem-solving involved in the automation process. The job market also lacks qualified candidates, and many companies must fill roles left behind by those retiring or switching careers.
Automation engineers use automation to streamline computer systems and other processes, such as manufacturing. To maximize your income potential as an automation engineer, consider finding work in industries such as technology and retail.
Automation engineers need to stay up-to-date on what's going on in the field. One way to do that is by taking online courses on Coursera, offered by some of the world's top colleges, universities, businesses, and organizations. Some options you might enjoy include AI, Business, & the Future of Work, offered by Lund University, and Automation Business Analysis - Concepts and Principles, offered by UiPath.
Zippia. "Automation Engineer Salary, https://www.zippia.com/automation-engineer-jobs/salary/." Accessed January 28, 2025.
Glassdoor. "How much does an Automation Engineer make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-automation-engineer-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,22.htm." Accessed January 28, 2025.
Indeed. "Automation engineer salary in the United States, https://www.indeed.com/career/automation-engineer/salaries." Accessed January 28, 2025.
ZipRecruiter. "Automation Engineer Salary, https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Automation-Engineer-Salary." Accessed January 28, 2025.
Payscale. “Average Automation Engineer Salary, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Automation_Engineer/Salary.” Accessed January 28, 2025.
Zippia. "Best Colleges and Majors for Automation Engineers, https://www.zippia.com/automation-engineer-jobs/education/." Accessed January 28, 2025.
NC State University. “Automation Engineer, https://online-distance.ncsu.edu/career/automation-engineer/.” Accessed January 28, 2025.
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Industrial Engineers, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/industrial-engineers.htm#tab-1." Accessed January 28, 2025.
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