As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for a Chief Maintenance Engineer in the United States is $104,899 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.
However, a Chief Maintenance Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Chief Maintenance Engineer'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Chief Maintenance Engineer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Chief Maintenance Engineer | $99,060 |
| Intermediate Level Chief Maintenance Engineer | $99,625 |
| Senior Level Chief Maintenance Engineer | $100,943 |
| Specialist Level Chief Maintenance Engineer | $102,449 |
| Expert Level Chief Maintenance Engineer | $105,036 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Chief Maintenance Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 9.42% |
| Food Safety | 2.17% |
| Hydraulics | 1.45% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Collaboration
|
$114,340 |
9%
|
|
Microsoft Word
|
$113,291 |
8%
|
|
Leadership
|
$111,193 |
6%
|
|
Problem Solving
|
$109,095 |
4%
|
|
Scheduling
|
$106,997 |
2%
|
|
Customer Service
|
$106,997 |
2%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Chief Maintenance Engineers enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Chief Maintenance Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $104,822 and $115,552).
Chief Maintenance Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 2.3% |
| High School | 50.4% |
| Associates | 22.1% |
| Bachelors | 22.9% |
| Masters | 2.3% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Chief Maintenance Engineer'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, 2021Salaries for a Chief Maintenance Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $114,367 in 2023 to around $113,027 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Chief Maintenance Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $114,367 |
| 2024 | $114,079 |
| 2025 | $113,027 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Chief Maintenance Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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