What is the Yearly Salary of an Automotive Engineer?
The automotive engineering field combines different types of engineering, including mechanical, electronic, electrical and safety engineering. Read on to find out how your salary can vary based on different factors, including your employer and level of experience.
Automotive Engineer Salary Overview
How much do automotive engineers make? In its most recent report, PayScale.com reported that most made between $49,000 to $103,000, as of July 2019, with the average salary being $76,526. Salaries can also be dependent on the engineer's location and experience, as well as the automotive industry sector.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutACareerInAutomotiveEngineering">Important Facts About a Career in Automotive Engineering</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td>Required Education</td><td> <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_are_Some_Major_Colleges_and_Universities_that_Offer_Automobile_Engineering_Degree_Programs.html">Bachelor's degree in automotive engineering</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Work Environment</td><td> Office setting</td></tr>
<tr><td>Key Skills</td><td> Attention to detail, adaptability, hand-eye coordination</td></tr>
<tr><td>Similar Occupations</td><td> Engineering manager, mathematician, mechanical engineering technician</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---SalariesByPopularEmployer">Salaries by Popular Employer</h3><p>According to <i>PayScale.com</i> in July 2019, automotive engineers employed by Ford Motor Company earned the most, with an average salary of $89,561. Chrysler Group LLC offers a lucrative salary, with top-end employees earning around $117,000 and a median salary of only $88,000. The top earners at General Motors can get up to $104,000 annually and the average salary at the company is $84,150. The average annual salary for those who work at FCA Corp earn $85,000, with salaries ranging from $74,000 at the low end to $97,000 at the high end.
</p><h3 id="section---SalariesByYearsOfExperience">Salaries by Years of Experience</h3><p>The amount of time you work as an automotive engineer has quite a bit to do with the amount of money you'll earn. <i>PayScale.com</i> confirmed that most of these professionals with one to four years of experience earned an average of $71,937 as of July 2019, and those with five to nine years of experience earned average salaries of $79,003 . Average salaries rose to $89,203 with 10-19 years of experience. Those with 20 or more years of experience earned an average salary of $97,119.
</p><h3 id="section---SalariesByCity">Salaries by City</h3><p>According to <i>Payscale.com</i>, automotive engineers can make a different salaries depending on the city in which they are located. Professionals in this field who work in Detroit, Michigan, a city known for its car manufacturing, make an average of $81,307, while those in Auburn Hills, Michigan make less at $76,867. The lowest salaries for automotive engineers can be found in Los Angeles, California with an average annual salary of $74,500 and in New York, New York at $60,500 annually. In the south of the country, those in Dallas, Texas make an average of $77,500 per year.
</p><h3 id="section---SalariesForUnionizedWorkers">Salaries for Unionized Workers</h3><p>Another factor that can affect your salary as an automotive engineer is whether or not you are a member of The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). Those who are members are covered by a contract negotiated on behalf of union members. This union comprises more than 700,000 workers, including engineers, and has a presence at all of the major U.S. car companies.
</p><h3 id="section---JobOutlook">Job Outlook</h3><p>The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects a growth of nine percent for all mechanical engineers, including automotive engineers, from 2016 to 2026. Those who know how to use the latest technology will have better prospects. In addition, the BLS expects continued growth in the transportation equipment and machinery manufacturing industry.</p>