Sales Engineer Salary
by City (2026)
Provide technical expertise and demos that help close complex product sales. National median: $120K/year. See how your city compares.
Sales Engineer salary by city
Sorted by median salaryCOL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?
A $120K Sales Engineer salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.
Try COL Calculator βSales Engineer Salary Guide (2026)
The national median salary for a Sales Engineer is $120,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $90,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $150,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Sales Engineers nationally earn $185,000+.
Education and requirements
Bachelor's degree. This role is 50% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.
Salary growth outlook
Sales Engineer compensation is growing at 5% annually, well above the national average wage growth rate.
Sales Engineer salary FAQ
How much does a Sales Engineer make?
The median Sales Engineer salary in the US is $120,000 per year β about $58/hour. Most earn between $90,000 (25th percentile) and $150,000 (75th percentile).
What is the starting salary for a Sales Engineer?
Entry-level Sales Engineer positions typically start around $90,000 per year. Pay rises with experience, specialization, and location.
How much do the highest-paid Sales Engineers earn?
The top 10% of Sales Engineers earn $185,000 or more per year β usually senior, lead, or specialized professionals in high-cost or high-demand markets.
Which city pays Sales Engineers the most?
San Francisco has the highest median Sales Engineer salary at $180K among the cities we track. But high-cost metros like San Francisco and New York often have lower real purchasing power once cost of living and taxes are factored in.
Are Sales Engineer salaries going up?
Yes β Sales Engineer pay is growing about 5% year over year, above the US average wage-growth rate.