How much does a sales engineer make?
a year · about $60 an hour
A typical sales engineer in the United States makes $124,900 a year, about $60 an hour, about 2.4× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They meet customers or teammates, ask what a business needs, then give a demo showing how software or equipment could solve the problem. They also answer technical questions, tailor a solution, and may travel to customer sites.
Did you know? Sometimes, sales engineers work with research teams to help develop new products—not just sell the ones already made.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $73,870 and $195,270How do you become one?
Most U.S. sales engineers study engineering or a related field in college and start work after a bachelor's degree, often around age 22. On-the-job training is usual; sales plus technical experience can also qualify, and some states require a license.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
Pay in the U.S. can vary with experience, technical specialty, employer or product, and location. Many sales engineers earn commissions or bonuses, so personal, team, or company sales results can change their total pay.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Maryland ($153,410), lowest in Indiana ($74,960).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $73,870 | $124,900 | $195,270 | about 52,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $153,410 | about 850 |
| Washington | $147,620 | about 760 |
| Colorado | $139,990 | about 3,000 |
| California | $139,160 | about 6,000 |
| New Jersey | $139,010 | about 2,000 |
Official definition: Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering. Excludes “Engineers” (17-2011 through 17-2199) whose primary function is not marketing or sales.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/sales-engineers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/41-9031.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.energy.gov/cmei/water/sales-engineer
- www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx?keywor
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY