Sales engineers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$121,520
~$58/hr · ~$10,127/mo
US Jobs
57K
Faster than average
AI & Automation Risk
7/10
High Risk
AI & Automation Risk
High Risk 7/10
Sales engineers perform high-level knowledge work that is increasingly digital, including technical presentations, product customization, and troubleshooting. While AI can automate technical documentation, demo generation, and data-driven customer insights, the role's heavy reliance on complex interpersonal relationships, negotiation, and trust-building provides a significant buffer against full automation.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TNBEST VALUE | $163,270 | Below avg (92.2) | $177,017 |
| Lafayette, LA | $154,010 | Below avg (87.6) | $175,905 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $170,400 | Average (97.0) | $175,627 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $169,560 | Above avg (104.7) | $161,986 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $149,910 | Average (97.3) | $154,057 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,640 | Above avg (113.1) | $153,584 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $135,740 | Below avg (93.1) | $145,841 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $129,100 | Below avg (91.2) | $141,566 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $128,530 | Below avg (91.9) | $139,787 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $137,210 | Average (98.3) | $139,617 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $156,170 | Above avg (112.6) | $138,639 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $126,270 | Below avg (92.3) | $136,754 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $123,560 | Below avg (90.5) | $136,479 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $138,200 | Average (101.3) | $136,397 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $148,020 | Above avg (109.5) | $135,125 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
10-Year Growth
+5% (Faster than average)
Hourly Rate
~$58/hr
Monthly Income
~$10,127/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)