TechnologyOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/10010+ years

Staff / Lead Autonomous Systems Engineer Salary in New York

2026 · Staff, lead, and principal-level professionals in the top 10% of earners.

$200,244/yr

Typical range: $174,490 $197,490

P90 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Autonomous Systems Engineer Salary Progression in New York

From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
Entry0 yrs0 yrs$92,004$7,667
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$113,652$9,471+24%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$128,084$10,674+39%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$148,289$12,357+61%
StaffThis page10 yrs10 yrs$200,244$16,687+118%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$251,117$20,926+173%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$263,835$21,986+187%
Current Salary
$200,244
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $96/hr
Next Level Target
$251,117
Principal · 14
+$51Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
91/100
Exceptional
+42% demand · Low AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the staff / lead Autonomous Systems Engineer salary in New York, NY?

Staff / Lead Autonomous Systems Engineers in New York, NY earn approximately $200K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P90 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a staff / lead Autonomous Systems Engineer make per hour in New York, NY?

Based on $200K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $96/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from staff / lead to senior Autonomous Systems Engineer in New York, NY?

The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Autonomous Systems Engineer in New York, NY earns $174K–$197K/yr.