Automation Engineer Salary in the US
Automation Engineer Salary Range
$112,770
$142,225
Low Range
High Range
Midpoint
This salary range represents a national benchmark in USD. Regional salary adjustment factors can be applied below to estimate how compensation may shift by state.
Salary benchmarks are based on a mix of TQR internal data and external market research for specialized manufacturing and technical roles in the U.S.
Automation Engineer salaries in the Life Sciences Manufacturing industry typically range from $112,770 to $142,225, with a midpoint of approximately $124,850. Compensation varies based on automation experience, PLC/SCADA/DCS expertise, validation knowledge, regulatory compliance experience, manufacturing complexity, and overall technical responsibility.
What the Salary Percentiles Mean
The following range has been generated based on real salary data across North America.
$112,770
$142,225
$112,770
25th percentile
Employees in this section often have a lower level of experience or skills and
are still growing into their role. This role may also be at a small to medium-sized business.
$124,850
50th percentile
Employees in this section typically demonstrate the required level of experience plus many skills that are deemed an asset. This role is likely at a medium-sized business.
$142,225
75th percentile
Employees in this section typically demonstrate a higher-level of expertise and/or enhanced qualifications. They should also have a proven track record and cultural fit. This role is likely at a larger business.
Regional Salary Adjustments
Salary ranges can vary by region based on cost of living, labor competition, industry concentration, and talent availability. The map below shows regional adjustment factors that can be applied to the national salary benchmark as a directional guide.
Factors That Affect an Automation Engineer’s Salary
Automation Engineer compensation can vary based on manufacturing complexity, automation technologies, validation experience, regulatory requirements, programming expertise, facility size, geographic location, and overall engineering responsibility. Employers may need to adjust compensation when the position supports highly automated pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturing facilities, complex process control systems, advanced robotics, or enterprise-wide automation initiatives.
Automation Engineer Job Description:
An Automation Engineer designs, develops, implements, and supports automated systems used in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and other life sciences manufacturing environments. This role helps improve equipment reliability, manufacturing efficiency, product quality, regulatory compliance, and overall operational performance through the effective application of automation and process control technologies.
Automation Engineers typically work with PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, DCS, robotics, instrumentation, sensors, vision systems, process control equipment, and manufacturing execution systems while collaborating with Production, Engineering, Quality, Validation, Maintenance, IT, and Regulatory Affairs teams. Their responsibilities may include programming and troubleshooting automation systems, supporting equipment commissioning and qualification, validating automated processes, maintaining system documentation, improving equipment performance, and ensuring compliance with FDA, cGMP/GMP, GAMP 5, ISO, and 21 CFR Part 11 requirements.
Automation Engineers are expected to understand how automation systems directly impact manufacturing performance, product quality, regulatory compliance, equipment reliability, and operational efficiency. Strong candidates typically combine automation expertise, control systems knowledge, validation experience, analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, communication skills, and continuous improvement experience within highly regulated life sciences manufacturing environments.
Common Responsibilities:
Designing, developing, implementing, and maintaining industrial automation and process control systems that support pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and other life sciences manufacturing operations.
Programming, troubleshooting, optimizing, and supporting PLC, HMI, SCADA, DCS, robotics, and instrumentation systems to maximize equipment reliability, manufacturing efficiency, and process performance.
Supporting equipment installation, commissioning, qualification, validation, startup activities, and automation lifecycle management while ensuring compliance with FDA, cGMP/GMP, GAMP 5, ISO, and 21 CFR Part 11 requirements.
Collaborating with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality Assurance, Validation, Maintenance, IT, Regulatory Affairs, and Operations teams to improve production efficiency, product quality, and regulatory compliance.
Diagnosing automation, instrumentation, and control system issues, performing root cause analysis, implementing corrective actions, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to reduce downtime and optimize manufacturing performance.
Developing and maintaining automation documentation including functional specifications, SOPs, validation protocols, change controls, system configurations, technical manuals, and engineering records to support regulatory compliance.
Monitoring automation system performance using KPIs while supporting preventive maintenance, cybersecurity best practices, system upgrades, technology improvements, and operational excellence initiatives across manufacturing operations.
Explore Current Openings
TQR recruits for specialized roles across industrial automation, manufacturing, packaging, food production, life sciences, and related technical markets. Current openings may include engineering, operations, maintenance, quality, supply chain, and plant leadership roles.
View current opportunities or submit your resume to be considered for future roles that match your background.
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