Salary guide, May 2025
Manufacturing Systems / OT Engineer pay, United States
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Software Developers in the United States was $135,980 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $105,210 and $171,980.
Broader occupation · SOC 15-1252 Software Developers
BLS measures this broader occupation across industries. It does not publish a separate wage for this manufacturing title.
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $82,460 | $105,210 | $135,980 | $171,980 | $214,670 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39.64 | $50.58 | $65.38 | $82.68 | $103.21 |
BLS estimated 1,687,890 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 15-1252 Software Developers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
How does pay compare in the target metros?
| Metro | Median | 25th to 75th | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $132,650 | $102,710 to $165,710 | 18,900 | 0.62 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $130,450 | $100,450 to $165,430 | 14,230 | 0.91 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $129,620 | $103,360 to $162,860 | 13,440 | 0.88 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $132,770 | $103,480 to $166,650 | 12,580 | 1.56 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $166,830 | $130,650 to $205,970 | 121,000 | 1.17 |
| Northern New Jersey within New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $166,830 | $130,650 to $205,970 | 121,000 | 1.17 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $133,290 | $105,660 to $164,100 | 67,030 | 1.52 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $134,380 | $104,530 to $167,650 | 40,370 | 0.82 |
Rank every metro for Manufacturing Systems / OT Engineer
What should you know about pay by manufacturing industry, United States?
Same BLS occupation, national estimates for each manufacturing industry (NAICS) BLS publishes, May 2025. Industry names are BLS labels.
- Motor Vehicle Manufacturing$172,360
- Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing$169,030
- Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing$168,400
- Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing$161,360
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing$154,470
- Other Food Manufacturing$151,710
- Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media$140,930
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$136,490
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$136,490
- Communications Equipment Manufacturing$136,430
- Manufacturing$136,330
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing$135,490
- Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing$135,210
- Household Appliance Manufacturing$134,980
- Transportation Equipment Manufacturing$134,930
Bars show up to 15 industries with exact annual medians. The table lists every published industry.
| NAICS | Industry | Employment | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-33 | Manufacturing | 136,390 | $106,150 | $136,330 | $174,210 |
| 334000 | Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | 77,040 | $124,500 | $161,360 | $194,290 |
| 334500 | Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 33,020 | $108,830 | $154,470 | $175,230 |
| 336000 | Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 28,070 | $108,700 | $134,930 | $175,140 |
| 336400 | Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 22,750 | $109,200 | $135,490 | $176,050 |
| 334400 | Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 19,770 | $131,590 | $169,030 | $215,580 |
| 334100 | Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | 13,430 | $132,260 | $168,400 | $209,010 |
| 333000 | Machinery Manufacturing | 12,340 | $94,700 | $107,450 | $134,960 |
| 334200 | Communications Equipment Manufacturing | 8,870 | $106,370 | $136,430 | $169,440 |
| 3330A1 | Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 6,950 | $92,490 | $105,960 | $135,150 |
| 339000 | Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 4,570 | $101,620 | $130,840 | $163,350 |
| 333300 | Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | 3,650 | $96,360 | $106,690 | $134,530 |
| 335000 | Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | 3,610 | $92,420 | $115,570 | $145,330 |
| 339100 | Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 3,100 | $104,000 | $134,540 | $165,510 |
| 332000 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 2,700 | $83,040 | $106,540 | $133,170 |
| 325000 | Chemical Manufacturing | 2,450 | $101,350 | $128,670 | $157,940 |
| 336300 | Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 2,400 | $94,810 | $127,030 | $143,760 |
| 3320A1 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | 1,710 | $86,200 | $110,850 | $135,650 |
| 335900 | Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | 1,680 | $91,250 | $115,570 | $139,420 |
| 325400 | Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 1,630 | $103,750 | $132,750 | $160,750 |
| 323000 | Printing and Related Support Activities | 1,620 | $80,080 | $98,660 | $124,130 |
| 323100 | Printing and Related Support Activities | 1,620 | $80,080 | $98,660 | $124,130 |
| 336100 | Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | 1,600 | $142,180 | $172,360 | $196,560 |
| 335300 | Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | 1,480 | $92,740 | $112,820 | $143,130 |
| 339900 | Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 1,470 | $86,410 | $110,290 | $135,010 |
| 333600 | Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | 1,140 | $106,250 | $128,440 | $139,430 |
| 326000 | Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | 1,040 | $90,000 | $106,010 | $128,580 |
| 334300 | Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing | 1,010 | $105,010 | $135,210 | $171,010 |
| 334600 | Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media | 940 | $108,820 | $140,930 | $171,150 |
| 311000 | Food Manufacturing | 780 | $92,410 | $117,350 | $144,920 |
| 326100 | Plastics Product Manufacturing | 760 | $92,060 | $108,660 | $132,780 |
| 3320A2 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 650 | $80,660 | $103,500 | $131,090 |
| 333500 | Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 610 | $84,440 | $104,630 | $130,080 |
| 3250A1 | Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | 590 | $99,780 | $118,910 | $139,740 |
| 331000 | Primary Metal Manufacturing | 480 | $84,760 | $104,730 | $132,340 |
| 337000 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 420 | $80,630 | $97,640 | $120,270 |
| 3370A1 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | 360 | $79,870 | $96,830 | $117,970 |
| 322000 | Paper Manufacturing | 320 | $99,500 | $124,550 | $158,940 |
| 332700 | Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 300 | $75,690 | $84,320 | $111,870 |
| 326200 | Rubber Product Manufacturing | 270 | $85,390 | $104,110 | $123,510 |
| 311900 | Other Food Manufacturing | 260 | $117,000 | $151,710 | $175,340 |
| 322200 | Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | 260 | $97,360 | $122,800 | $151,930 |
| 312000 | Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing | 230 | $86,540 | $120,230 | $133,700 |
| 3250A2 | Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only) | 230 | $89,020 | $108,070 | $139,970 |
| 332710 | Machine Shops | 230 | $75,660 | $82,750 | $105,480 |
| 335100 | Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | 230 | $95,510 | $127,100 | $144,350 |
| 335200 | Household Appliance Manufacturing | 220 | $96,040 | $134,980 | $167,030 |
| 312100 | Beverage Manufacturing | 210 | $86,540 | $112,670 | $133,070 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 200 | $84,710 | $106,520 | $127,260 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 200 | $84,710 | $106,520 | $127,260 |
| 331300 | Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 160 | $89,800 | $118,960 | $154,330 |
| 321000 | Wood Product Manufacturing | 150 | $72,850 | $96,990 | $133,400 |
| 336900 | Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 140 | $86,980 | $114,170 | $134,920 |
| 311500 | Dairy Product Manufacturing | 130 | $82,830 | $105,000 | $117,580 |
| 315000 | Apparel Manufacturing | 130 | $116,840 | $132,380 | $158,820 |
| 336500 | Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing | 130 | $98,000 | $110,550 | $136,080 |
| 315200 | Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing | 120 | $118,160 | $131,360 | $167,460 |
| 311400 | Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing | 110 | $80,740 | $97,950 | $130,710 |
| 321900 | Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 110 | $69,510 | $86,640 | $110,780 |
| 324000 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 110 | $101,640 | $136,490 | $173,150 |
| 324100 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 110 | $101,640 | $136,490 | $173,150 |
| 331100 | Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 100 | $84,760 | $102,210 | $120,260 |
| 331500 | Foundries | 100 | $93,870 | $114,310 | $132,090 |
| 331200 | Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 70 | $84,550 | $92,550 | $105,470 |
| 332720 | Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 70 | $80,230 | $93,990 | $115,680 |
| 311100 | Animal Food Manufacturing | 60 | $92,330 | $121,930 | $137,770 |
| 311800 | Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing | 60 | $99,830 | $101,490 | $135,690 |
| 314000 | Textile Product Mills | 60 | $95,370 | $107,390 | $127,310 |
| 322100 | Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | 60 | $109,500 | $134,500 | $174,040 |
| 337900 | Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing | 60 | $84,730 | $101,440 | $135,900 |
| 311200 | Grain and Oilseed Milling | 50 | $60,140 | $116,710 | $124,790 |
| 311300 | Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | 50 | $76,970 | $84,580 | $110,810 |
| 311600 | Animal Slaughtering and Processing | 50 | $95,040 | $110,810 | $130,320 |
| 331400 | Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | 50 | $82,470 | $98,360 | $127,800 |
| 339910 | Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing | 50 | $86,090 | $94,440 | $108,090 |
| 313000 | Textile Mills | 40 | $74,890 | $88,780 | $103,820 |
| 314100 | Textile Furnishings Mills | 40 | $96,240 | $124,810 | $130,290 |
| 332800 | Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | 40 | $86,310 | $114,450 | $136,220 |
| 321200 | Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | 30 | $98,860 | $119,300 | $133,400 |
| 336200 | Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | Not published by BLS | $77,860 | $95,140 | $101,640 |
What should you know about manufacturing pay mix?
For Manufacturing Systems / OT Engineer, clarify the base pay before discussing call-outs, travel or extra shifts. OEWS includes base rate, guaranteed pay and production incentive pay. It excludes overtime premium, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses. An attendance bonus is not a production bonus; confirm its purpose and treatment rather than adding every bonus to the BLS figure.
Skills-based pay steps affect the base rate when they are part of straight-time pay; BLS does not publish a separate rate for each plant's skill grade. Ask whether a tool allowance is expense reimbursement or wage pay. OEWS does not publish a separate tool-allowance component. Keep these items separate in the offer so the published wage is not mistaken for the whole package.
Pay mix here means how published medians for this one BLS occupation differ across manufacturing industries and against the all-industry median. It does not split pay into base, incentive or overtime. BLS wages are straight-time gross pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $103,050 | $133,080 | $169,000 |
| May 2025 | $105,210 | $135,980 | $171,980 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Recruiter's read. Qualitative, not BLS data.
What should you know about a move that can hold up?
Someone working in OT engineers supporting connected production equipment and manufacturing systems needs a clear reason to leave. If the answer depends on authority over production networks and the systems joining equipment to plant information that you cannot offer, that mismatch belongs in the conversation before an offer.
What should you know about questions?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
What is the median pay for a Manufacturing Systems / OT Engineer?
The median annual wage for Software Developers in the United States was $135,980 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $105,210 and $171,980. This is the broader occupation BLS publishes, not a figure for this exact title.
What does the 10th percentile mean here?
10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than $82,460. 90% earned less than $214,670.
Does this include overtime or bonuses?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
Is this the pay for a Manufacturing Systems / OT Engineer at a plant?
BLS measures this broader occupation across industries. It does not publish a separate wage for this manufacturing title. These are occupation estimates across all industries, not an offer for a particular manufacturing title.
How many people work in this occupation?
BLS estimated 1,687,890 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
What should you know about related?
Controls Engineer pay Automation Engineer pay PLC Programmer pay Robotics Engineer pay Machine Vision Engineer pay Manufacturing Systems / OT Engineer pay ranked across all metros Open jobs Manufacturing Systems / OT Engineer recruiting Check an offer for this role
What does this data mean for your opening?
Manufacturing Headhunters provides this salary analysis for the Manufacturing Systems / OT Engineer, mapped to the SOC 15-1252 Software Developers. The national median for this category is $135,980, marking an increase of $2,900 from May 2024. The middle-band width is $66,770, defined by the P25 of $105,210 and the P75 of $171,980.
This significant bandwidth underscores the disparity in compensation for software-intensive roles based on seniority and sector. Given the broad nature of the SOC 15-1252 classification, these figures reflect a general population of developers rather than just those focused on operational technology.
National industry rows indicate how manufacturing leaders value OT and systems support. Motor Vehicle Manufacturing leads with a median of $172,360, while Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing follows at $169,030. Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing reports a median of $168,400. These are national sector averages and do not represent localized, plant-specific pay. The BLS does not include variable performance pay, stock awards, or retention benefits in these figures, which means the reported medians represent a baseline for base salary only.
Regional analysis shows New York-Newark-Jersey City with a median of $166,830 and a middle-band width of $75,320, and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue with a median of $167,280 and a $79,060 middle-band width. These metros serve as hubs due to their high occupational employment. A location quotient confirms the density of the occupation but does not offer insight into local pay premiums or the availability of specialized OT talent. These figures represent the local market for the software developer occupation broadly, rather than the niche of manufacturing systems engineering.
The screening criteria focus on a network change that preserved equipment communication and recovery, prioritizing OT availability over general IT administration. Because the underlying SOC is broad, these figures are generalized across diverse software developer career paths. These figures are exact as provided; no adjustments were made for the manufacturing-specific nature of this role. Always verify that the OT engineer role's technical requirements align with the broader expectations of the software developer SOC before utilizing these ranges for compensation planning.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
What is the primary limitation of using SOC 15-1252 for Manufacturing Systems / OT Engineers?
The primary limitation is the breadth of the category. It aggregates all software development roles, including those in non-manufacturing sectors, which may have different pay structures than operational technology.
How does the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue median compare to the national average?
The Seattle median of $167,280 is significantly higher than the national median of $135,980, reflecting local labor market competition for software developers in that hub.
Does the location quotient indicate that these metros have more OT engineers?
No, a high location quotient only indicates that these regions have a higher concentration of software developers overall. It does not specifically reflect the density of OT or systems engineers.
Related recruiting or pay page · Related wage comparison 1 · Data methodology · Related wage comparison 3 · Related wage comparison 4