Distinguished Engineer Salary & Pay Rates in United States
Market analysis based on live job data.
Salary range based on experience level
The median salary and typical pay rates for a Distinguished Engineer in United States is $218,995 per year as of May 2026, based on 120 active job listings. Entry-level roles typically start at $161,044, while senior specialists can earn up to $311,149. Equivalent contract day rates are approximately $1,700 per day.
Salary Trend
Salary distribution trend for jobs in United States citing Distinguished Engineer.
📊 Salary Histogram
Salary distribution for jobs citing Distinguished Engineer over the last 6 months in United States.
📊 Market Demand
Number of live job vacancies over time for Distinguished Engineer in United States.
Historical Market Data
| Metric | 2026 | Same Period 2025 | Same Period 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | 182 | - | - |
| Rank change year-on-year | - | - | - |
| Permanent jobs citing Distinguished Engineer | 120 | 0 | 0 |
| As % of all permanent jobs in United States | 0.12% | 0.11% | 0.10% |
| Number of salaries quoted | 68 | 0 | 0 |
| Entry Level | $161,044 | ||
| Junior | $176,840 | ||
| Median Salary | $218,995 | ||
| Median salary change vs last year | - | - | - |
| Senior | $267,331 | ||
| Expert / Top Earners | $311,149 |
How ready are you for this role?
Free 30-second skills check — see which skills you're missing for Distinguished Engineer positions.
Top Skills in Demand
| Skill Name | Frequency % | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Python |
3%
|
Learn This |
| Java |
3%
|
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| AWS |
3%
|
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| Google Cloud Platform |
7%
|
Learn This |
| Artificial Intelligence |
6%
|
Learn This |
| C++ |
3%
|
Learn This |
| Microsoft Azure |
3%
|
Learn This |
| SQL |
6%
|
Learn This |
🌎 Compare Salaries by Location
See how much Distinguished Engineer roles pay in other regions and markets.
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