CDCareer Decision

Automotive Engineers Salary in WA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Automotive Engineers in WA have a median annual salary of $110,430, with 8,240 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $79,400 at the 10th percentile to $167,680 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$110,430

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$53.09

Employment

8,240

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$79,400
10th
$94,560
25th
$110,430
Median
$139,870
75th
$167,680
90th

Local compared with national

WA

$110,430

Median annual · 2025

United States

$104,110

Median annual · 2025

The WA median is 6.1% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $6,320).

Top skills

  1. 1.Critical ThinkingImportance 4.1
  2. 2.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 4.1
  3. 3.Reading ComprehensionImportance 4.0
  4. 4.WritingImportance 3.9
  5. 5.SpeakingImportance 3.9
  6. 6.MathematicsImportance 3.9
  7. 7.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.9
  8. 8.Active ListeningImportance 3.8
  9. 9.Operations AnalysisImportance 3.8
  10. 10.Systems AnalysisImportance 3.8
  11. 11.Systems EvaluationImportance 3.8
  12. 12.CoordinationImportance 3.5

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
None
Job zone
4

Technology used

  • Gamma Technologies GT-SUITE
  • Git
  • GNU Image Manipulation Program GIMP
  • Hardware-in-the-loop HIL simulation software
  • IBM Notes
  • International Material Data System IMDS
  • IronCAD
  • JavaScript
  • JavaScript Object Notation JSON
  • Jenkins CI
  • JUnit
  • Linux
  • LMS Imagine.Lab AMESim
  • Magellan Firmware
  • MAHLE Powertrain

Common tasks

  • Conduct or direct system-level automotive testing.
  • Provide technical direction to other engineers or engineering support personnel.
  • Perform failure, variation, or root cause analyses.
  • Calibrate vehicle systems, including control algorithms or other software systems.
  • Design or analyze automobile systems in areas such as aerodynamics, alternate fuels, ergonomics, hybrid power, brakes, transmissions, steering, calibration, safety, or diagnostics.
  • Prepare or present technical or project status reports.
  • Conduct research studies to develop new concepts in the field of automotive engineering.
  • Establish production or quality control standards.
  • Alter or modify designs to obtain specified functional or operational performance.
  • Research or implement green automotive technologies involving alternative fuels, electric or hybrid cars, or lighter or more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Automotive Engineers salary in other locations

Other occupations in WA