Plant Engineer Salary Range
$98,500
$137,000
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.
Plant Engineer salaries in the Food & Beverage Manufacturing industry typically range from $98,500 to $137,000, with a midpoint of approximately $118,500. Compensation varies based on engineering experience, capital project management, manufacturing process expertise, continuous improvement experience, food safety knowledge, and overall technical responsibility.
What the Salary Percentiles Mean
The following range has been generated based on real salary data across North America.
$98,500
$137,000
$98,500
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.
$118,500
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.
$137,000
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 a Plant Engineer’s Salary
Plant Engineer compensation can vary based on manufacturing complexity, plant size, production volume, capital project responsibility, engineering expertise, food manufacturing experience, location, and technical leadership. Employers may need to adjust compensation when the position supports highly automated production lines, large capital investments, process optimization initiatives, or complex manufacturing operations.
Plant Engineer Job Description:
A Plant Engineer is responsible for planning, designing, implementing, and optimizing manufacturing equipment, production processes, and facility systems within a manufacturing environment. This role helps improve equipment reliability, production efficiency, food safety, product quality, and overall plant performance through engineering expertise, technical problem-solving, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Plant Engineers typically support manufacturing operations, maintenance, capital projects, process optimization, equipment installations, and facility improvements while working closely with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Sanitation, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Operations teams. Their responsibilities may include troubleshooting equipment issues, improving manufacturing processes, supporting new product introductions, managing capital projects, implementing Lean Manufacturing initiatives, and ensuring compliance with food safety, safety, and regulatory standards.
Plant Engineers are expected to understand how manufacturing equipment, utilities, and production processes affect plant performance, product quality, food safety, operating costs, and customer satisfaction. Strong candidates typically combine engineering knowledge, project management experience, continuous improvement expertise, analytical thinking, communication skills, and the ability to solve complex technical challenges in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
Common Responsibilities:
Planning, designing, and implementing manufacturing equipment, process improvements, facility upgrades, and capital engineering projects.
Troubleshooting production equipment and manufacturing processes to improve reliability, efficiency, product quality, and overall plant performance.
Supporting Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste and increase productivity.
Developing manufacturing procedures, engineering documentation, equipment specifications, layouts, and standard operating procedures to support plant operations.
Coordinating equipment installations, commissioning, process validations, vendor activities, and capital expenditure projects while ensuring projects are completed safely and within budget.
Ensuring compliance with FDA, USDA (where applicable), SQF, HACCP, GMP, OSHA, environmental regulations, and company engineering and safety standards.
Collaborating with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Sanitation, Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering teams to optimize manufacturing performance, support new product introductions, and achieve operational objectives.
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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