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Release Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Release Engineer I make in the United States?

As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for a Release Engineer I in the United States is $73,921 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

However, a Release Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $78,048
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $66,662 to $76,081
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $60,053
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View as table View as graph 25% $66,662 10% $60,053 90% $78,048 75% $76,081 $73,921 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Release Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $76,081 $6,340 $1,463 $37
Average $73,921 $6,160 $1,422 $36
25th Percentile $66,662 $5,555 $1,282 $32
Check out Release Engineer I Job Openings in the United States
Release Train Engineer

eTek IT Services, Inc. - Cincinnati, OH

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JPMorganChase - PLANO, TX

VERTICAL SALES ENGINEER SPECTRUM ENTERPRISE

Spectrum - CHARLOTTE, NC

VERTICAL SALES ENGINEER SPECTRUM ENTERPRISE

Spectrum - MAITLAND, FL

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Key Factors That Influence Release Engineer I Salaries

A Release Engineer I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Release Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Release Engineer I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Release Engineer I (0-2 years): $73,921
  • Release Engineer II (2-4 years): $99,341
  • Release Engineer III (4-7 years): $123,018
  • Release Engineer IV (7+ years): $139,253
  • Release Engineer V (7-10 years): $171,936
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Release Engineer I0-2 years$73,921
Release Engineer II2-4 years$99,341
Release Engineer III4-7 years$123,018
Release Engineer IV7+ years$139,253
Release Engineer V7-10 years$171,936
$73,921 Release E...
$99,341 Release E...
$123,018 Release E...
$139,253 Release E...
$171,936 Release E...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Release Engineer Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $93,237
  • San Francisco: $92,320
  • Oakland: $90,272

What Skills Can Increase a Release Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 13.04% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Product Quality (Mentioned in 1.84% Job Postings): Product quality refers to how well a product satisfies customer needs, serves its purpose and meets industry standards. When evaluating product quality, businesses consider several key factors, including whether a product solves a problem, works efficiently or suits customers' purposes.
  • Linux (Mentioned in 1.09% Job Postings): Managing a system's hardware and resources using a Unix-like open-source operating system.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 13.04%
Product Quality 1.84%
Linux 1.09%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Release Engineer I's salary.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Computer Science: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Leadership
$81,313
10%
Python
$79,835
8%
Computer Science
$79,835
8%
Jenkins
$79,835
8%
Git
$79,835
8%
DevOps
$79,095
7%
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Release Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Release Engineer I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 18, 2021

Release Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Release Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Release Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $99,341 - a projected growth of 34% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Release Engineer I

Salaries for a Release Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $83,686 in 2023 to around $83,697 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Release Engineer I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Release Engineer I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$83,686
2024
$84,338
2025
$83,697
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $83,686
2024 $84,338
2025 $83,697
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Release Engineer I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Release Engineer I

Here are companies hiring for Release Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Release Engineer I

1. Where can a Release Engineer I earn the most?

A Release Engineer I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Release Engineer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Release Engineer I is $93,237.

2. What is the highest pay for Release Engineer I?

The highest pay for Release Engineer I is $78,048.

3. What is the lowest pay for Release Engineer I?

The lowest pay for Release Engineer I is $60,053.

4. What are the responsibilities of Release Engineer I?

Responsible for software builds and releases. Responsible for the design and development of builds, scripts, installation procedures, and systems including source code control and issue tracking. Works closely with a quality assurance team to ensure final version is up to organizational standards. Requires a bachelor's degree. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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