Solutions Engineer Salary: Your 2026 Guide

Key takeaways

• Solutions engineers in the US earn $166,000 per year on average [1].

• Factors like industry, company, location, experience level, and certifications can impact your solutions engineer salary.

• You can increase your earning potential as a solutions engineer by pursuing in-demand skills and earning career credentials for upward mobility.

Learn more about how much money solutions engineers can earn and factors that influence job outlook in the following article. If you're looking to prepare for a role in solutions engineering, consider enrolling in IBM's Systems and Solutions Architect Professional Certificate program.

Solutions engineer salary

The average salary range for a solutions engineer is between $135,000 and $209,000 per year [1]. This figure includes a base salary range of $91,000-$127,000, plus $44,000-$81,000 per year in additional pay, which could include bonuses, profit-sharing, or commissions.

Factors that impact solutions engineer salary

Several factors can impact a solutions engineer's earning potential. For example, some companies may offer more money to those with advanced degrees. Let's take a closer look.

Education 

According to Zippia, 67 percent of solutions engineers have a bachelor’s degree, 14 percent have an associate, and 13 percent have a master’s [2]. Degrees in computer science, electrical engineering, business, and related subjects are most common. No matter your major, it's important to take math, science, and computer courses.

Here is an average salary breakdown based on education level in the US [2]: 

• Associate degree: $90,525

• Bachelor’s degree: $103,507

• Master’s degree: $107,431

Experience

As a solutions engineer, gaining experience can lead to other advancements in addition to salary. If you work for an organization that pays based on commission, you might see higher rates as you advance your career. You may also receive assignments for larger sales territories, or you may earn a promotion to a managerial position.  

According to Glassdoor, years of experience could impact your average annual pay [1]:  

* The table above shows base pay and does not include additional income, such as profit sharing, commission, or bonuses. 

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Industry

Solutions engineers may work across many industries, but you'll find that most jobs are in industries that sell science and technology products. Take a look at some average annual salaries for solutions engineers by industry, according to Glassdoor [1]: 

• Information technology: $118,923

• Energy, mining, and utilities: $111,435

• Insurance: $117,170

• Pharmaceutical and biotechnology: $125,468

• Media and communications: $103,306

Location

Where you live can impact how much you make. In some states, it's easier to find a job as a solutions engineer and will often pay a higher salary [3]. The top five states for this career are. 

1. California: $127,382

2. Virginia: $109,146

3. Washington DC: $108,073

4. New York: $105,038  

5. Maryland: $104,023

Job outlook

The job outlook for solutions engineer careers is positive for the near future. According to the BLS, the need for people in this role will grow 5 percent between 2024 and 2034 [1]. That's faster than the average growth rate predicted across most industries. 

As the economy grows, sales jobs will generally grow, but highly specialized sales jobs, particularly those in the tech industry, are expected to grow even more. As products and services become more sophisticated, the knowledge required to sell them will also become more refined.

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