Robotics Engineer Salary Guide: How Much Can You Make?

Key takeaways

Your robotics engineer salary can increase significantly based on factors such as experience, education, and the company you work for.

• Robotics engineers earn a median total salary of $140,000 [1].

• You can potentially increase your salary as a robotics engineer by expanding your expertise in the C programming language, for example.

• You can also typically increase your salary by staying up to date on current industry trends and adding your skills to your resume.

Learn more about robotics engineer salaries and responsibilities. Afterward, consider enrolling in the Modern Robotics: Mechanics, Planning, and Control Specialization offered by Northwestern University. You’ll have the opportunity to learn to apply tools to the analysis, planning, and control of robot motion. Upon completion, add this shareable credential to your resume or LinkedIn profile.

Average robotics engineer salary in the US

The median total robotics engineer salary in the US is $140,000 per year [1]. This figure includes additional income, such as profit sharing, bonuses, or commissions. Factors influencing your salary as a robotics engineer include years of experience, educational background, specialization, and industry. 

Top 5 highest-paying cities for robotics engineers

Remember that factors like the cost of living may influence robotics engineer salaries across the US.

*The salary insights below were sourced from ZipRecruiter in November 2025 [2].

Top 5 companies hiring robotics engineers 

To determine the top companies, we looked at Glassdoor’s list of the top companies hiring for robotics engineering jobs [3]. We further curated it to adequately represent several industries and eliminate companies with low employee ratings. Employee ratings are measured on a scale of one to five stars. They are calculated based on six categories: culture and values, diversity and inclusion, work-life balance, senior management, compensation and benefits, and career opportunities.

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of November 2025. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Salary of a robotics engineer by level of expertise

Many robotics engineers obtain a degree in engineering, computer science, or mathematics to start their careers. In the US, 65 percent of robotics engineers have a bachelor's degree, 15 percent have an associate degree, and 13 percent have a master's degree [9]. Examples of degrees for aspiring robotics engineers to pursue include a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Employers may also prefer candidates with Professional Certificates in robotics engineering.

Entry-level robotics engineer salary

The median total salary in the US for someone with zero to one year of experience as a robotics engineer is $105,000 per year. [1]. This figure includes additional pay such as bonuses, profit-sharing, and other compensation. 

Entry-level robotics engineer skills and experience

Qualifications for entry-level robotics engineers may include:

• A degree in an engineering-related field or demonstrated technical ability

• Familiarity with robot operating systems (ROS)

• Knowledge of software development and programming principles

Preparing for an entry-level robotics engineering role

If you don’t yet qualify for an entry-level position, try not to feel discouraged. Consider expanding your skill set with an introductory robotics course, such as the Fundamentals of Robotics & Industrial Automation from L&T EduTech. It's 100 percent online and self-paced, and you'll earn a certificate for your resume upon completion.

Mid-level robotics engineer salary

The median total US salary for someone with one to three years of experience as a robotics engineer is $120,000 per year [1]. This figure includes additional pay, such as bonuses, profit-sharing, and other forms of compensation. 

Mid-level robotics engineer skills and experience

Qualifications for mid-level robotics engineers may include:

• Experience working with computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software

• Understanding of cost efficiency and product optimization methods

• Proficient in programming and engineering mechanics

Preparing for a mid-level robotics engineering role

You can strengthen your candidacy for a mid-level robotics engineer position with a course in one of the disciplines above. For example, you can earn a certificate for completing this online Introduction to Engineering Mechanics course from the Georgia Institute of Technology. 

Senior robotics engineer salary

The median total US salary for a robotics engineer with four to six years of experience is $140,000 per year [1]. This figure includes additional pay, such as bonuses, profit sharing, and other forms of compensation.

Senior robotics engineer skills and experience

Qualifications for senior robotics engineers may include:

• Understanding of control theory and linear algebra

• Strong knowledge of localization, perception, and mapping algorithms

• Experience with software engineering, hardware prototyping, and data analysis

Preparing for an advanced robotics engineering role

You can prepare for a senior-level role by expanding your skill set in advanced engineering concepts. For example, you can broaden your knowledge of static and dynamic object detection and survey common computer vision methods for robotic perception with the Visual Perception for Self-Driving Cars from the University of Toronto:

What do robotics engineers do?

Robotics engineers design and build robotic systems using mechanical, computer, and electrical engineering knowledge. They strive to develop robotic systems and models that mimic human actions. After designing these systems, robotics engineers are responsible for testing, analyzing, and maintaining them. They work in a variety of industries, including aerospace, manufacturing, defense, and health care.

How to increase your robotics engineer salary: 3 tips

Several factors can influence robotics engineer salaries, including geographical location, industry, education, and experience. You can also enhance your resume with the following three techniques. 

1. Expand the scope of your expertise.

Robotics engineering is a multidisciplinary field. It combines electrical and mechanical engineering with computer science. You may consider strengthening your core robotics engineering skills to build upon your expertise. For example, C is one of the most commonly used programming languages in robotics. You can increase your proficiency in C programming with a Specialization such as the Introductory C Programming Specialization from Duke University on Coursera. This Specialization will assist you in developing your knowledge of C programming fundamentals and writing and fixing code in C.

Read more: C Programming: The Basics You Need to Know

2. Enhance your resume.

One way to enhance your robotics engineering resume is to earn professional certifications in relevant areas of expertise. You might consider taking an advanced-level class to earn a specialized certificate for your resume. For instance, someone who wants to work in the transportation equipment manufacturing industry might consider learning more about self-driving cars. You can earn a certificate from the University of Toronto with the Introduction to Self-Driving Cars:

3. Stay current.

Another great way to demonstrate your expertise to employers is to stay current with industry trends and technologies in the robotics field. You might consider:

• Following industry leaders on social media

• Reading relevant blogs and watching YouTube videos

• Joining a community of fellow robotics engineers

You can stay up to date and even learn about upcoming robotics conferences to attend with Robohub.org.

Explore career resources

Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat, for industry updates, tips, and trends. Then, explore free, digital resources designed to elevate your professional growth:

• Watch on YouTube: What Can You Do with a Computer Science Degree?

• Take a quiz: Which Software Engineering Course Should You Take? Find Out in 1 Minute

• Test your knowledge: C++ Programming Skill Assessment

With Coursera Plus, you can learn and earn credentials at your own pace from over 350 leading companies and universities. With a monthly or annual subscription, you’ll gain access to over 10,000 programs—just check the course page to confirm your selection is included.

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