Sales Engineer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Sales Engineers Make?
Sales Engineers earn a median annual salary of $121,520 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $70,580 at the 10th percentile to $202,670 at the 90th percentile — a range of $132,090. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $179,490.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $70,580 |
| 25th percentile | $90,690 |
| Median (50th) | $121,520 |
| 75th percentile | $159,200 |
| 90th percentile | $202,670 |
Sales Engineer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $179,490 |
| Arizona | $169,470 |
| Delaware | $166,400 |
| New Jersey | $145,410 |
| Tennessee | $144,030 |
| New York | $137,700 |
| Colorado | $136,080 |
| Virginia | $135,080 |
| California | $134,990 |
| Montana | $134,900 |
| West Virginia | $132,590 |
| Texas | $126,810 |
| Nevada | $124,990 |
| Maryland | $123,980 |
| Louisiana | $122,250 |
| Washington | $122,240 |
| Wisconsin | $117,410 |
| Oregon | $117,070 |
| Florida | $114,770 |
| Vermont | $113,290 |
| Utah | $110,400 |
| Oklahoma | $107,260 |
| Georgia | $105,850 |
| North Carolina | $103,480 |
| South Dakota | $103,460 |
| Michigan | $103,350 |
| South Carolina | $100,430 |
| Idaho | $100,000 |
| Illinois | $98,820 |
| Pennsylvania | $98,810 |
| Connecticut | $96,970 |
| Maine | $96,660 |
| Kentucky | $95,000 |
| Minnesota | $94,950 |
| Rhode Island | $94,200 |
| Arkansas | $91,260 |
| Ohio | $90,360 |
| Alabama | $89,770 |
| Kansas | $88,990 |
| Iowa | $87,690 |
| Nebraska | $80,790 |
| Indiana | $77,160 |
| Missouri | $73,700 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Sales Engineers
Sales Engineer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$70,580 – $90,690 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$121,520 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$159,200 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $202,670+ |
How to Earn More as a Sales Engineer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Sales Engineers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $173,640 — $52,120 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($159,200) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Sales Engineer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Sales Engineerthis career | $121,520 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $167,740 |
| Logistics Engineer | $80,880 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,790 |
| Software Developer | $133,080 |
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SOC: 41-9031.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.