
Fuel cell engineers design, build, test, and install fuel cell components and systems. They are responsible for conducting evaluations of fuel cell components, subsystems, and systems, identifying failures, and calculating efficiency and output rates. The salary of a fuel cell engineer varies depending on location, education, and experience. As of 2025, the average salary for a fuel cell engineer in the United States is between \$78,784 and \$104,682 per year, with an average hourly rate of \$44.59. The highest-paying states for fuel cell engineers are California, Washington, and Nevada, while the highest-paying cities include West Sacramento, Phoenix, and Lehi.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average Salary in the United States | $92,756 |
| Average Hourly Rate | $44.59 |
| Average Salary Range | $67,000 - $127,000 |
| Average Salary in California | $96,666 |
| Average Salary in Wisconsin | $78,784 - $104,682 |
| Average Salary in Iowa | $78,784 - $104,682 |
| Average Salary in Missouri | $78,784 - $104,682 |
| Average Salary Range (Recruiter.com) | $58,410 - $141,060 |
| Average Salary (Salary.com) | $91,813 |
| Average Salary Range (Salary.com) | $78,886 - $102,198 |
| Average FuelCell Energy Salary Range | $57,378 - $156,222 |
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What You'll Learn

Salary range: $58,410 to $141,060
A fuel cell engineer designs, builds, tests, and installs fuel cell components and systems. They evaluate fuel cell components, subsystems, and systems, identifying failures and calculating efficiency and output rates. They may also develop new materials and testing equipment. Fuel cell engineers require significant technical and engineering knowledge, strong mathematical skills, and familiarity with statistical software.
The salary of a fuel cell engineer varies depending on location, education, and experience. The average wage for a fuel cell engineer typically falls between $78,784 and $104,682. However, salaries can range from $58,410 to $141,060. The average base salary for a fuel cell engineer in the US is $91,813 per year, although some sources state the average to be $92,756 or $96,666 per year. The average hourly rate for fuel cell engineers is $44.59 per hour, while other sources state $46.47 per hour.
Fuel cell engineers in California, Washington, and Nevada are the highest-paid in their field. The highest-paying cities for fuel cell engineers are West Sacramento, Phoenix, and Lehi. The average salary for fuel cell engineers in these cities varies very little, with the highest being in San Jose, CA.
The salary of a fuel cell engineer has been steadily increasing over the years, with a 7% change in pay over the last decade. The annual compensation for this career has increased by an average of 39.26% nationwide since 2004.
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Highest-paying states: California, Washington, Nevada
California, Washington, and Nevada are the highest-paying states for fuel cell engineers. The average salary for a fuel cell engineer in the United States is $96,666 per year, but in California, the average salary is even higher, ranging from $78,784 to $104,682 per year.
Several cities in California also offer above-average salaries for fuel cell engineers. For example, Berkeley, CA, has an average salary of 20.5% above the national average, while West Sacramento, CA, is the highest-paying city for fuel cell engineers, along with Phoenix, AZ, and Lehi, UT.
Washington is another state that offers high salaries for fuel cell engineers, although the exact salary range is not specified. However, it is worth noting that fuel cell engineers' salaries can vary greatly depending on skill level, location, and years of experience.
Nevada is the third state on the list, but again, specific salary information for this state is not readily available. Nonetheless, it is among the top three highest-paying states for fuel cell engineers.
In addition to these three states, other states that offer higher salaries for fuel cell engineers include the District of Columbia, New Jersey, Alaska, and Massachusetts.
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Highest-paying cities: West Sacramento, Phoenix, Lehi
The salary of a fuel cell engineer varies depending on their location and the company they work for. The average salary for a fuel cell engineer in the United States is $91,813 per year, with salaries ranging from $78,886 to $102,198 per year. However, some sources state that the average salary is $92,756 per year, or even $96,666 per year. The salary for fuel cell engineers has increased by about $11,000 in the last ten years.
The highest-paying cities for fuel cell engineers are West Sacramento, Phoenix, and Lehi. Fuel cell engineers in these cities can expect to earn salaries ranging from $67,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $127,000 at the 90th percentile. West Sacramento, California, is reported to be the city with the highest salary for fuel cell engineers. Phoenix, Arizona, is another high-paying city for fuel cell engineers, with salaries that can compete with those of companies like Sanofi US and Rivian. Lehi, Utah, is also among the top three highest-paying cities for this profession.
In addition to city location, the salary of a fuel cell engineer can also depend on the company they work for. Staff engineers, directors, and hydrogen storage engineers are among the highest-paid types of fuel cell engineers. Fuel cell engineers working for companies like Apple and AbbVie can expect to earn higher salaries. The average salary for a fuel cell engineer at Apple is estimated to be $92,756 per year. Other companies, such as Sanofi US and Rivian, also offer highly competitive salaries for fuel cell engineers.
The salary of a fuel cell engineer can also be influenced by factors such as job demand and the cost of living in a particular area. Certain states, such as California, New Jersey, and Alaska, tend to offer higher salaries for fuel cell engineers. Additionally, the specific job title within the field of fuel cell engineering can impact earnings, as different companies and departments may use varying job titles with different associated salaries.
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Salary impacted by: location, education, experience
The salary of a fuel cell engineer varies depending on location, education, and experience. Fuel cell engineers earn an average annual salary of $92,756 in the United States, with salaries typically ranging from $67,000 to $127,000. The average hourly rate for fuel cell engineers is $44.59, but this can vary from $34.65 per hour to $46.47 per hour depending on the source.
Location
Location plays a significant role in the salary of a fuel cell engineer. The highest-paying states for fuel cell engineers are California, Washington, and Nevada, with the highest-paying cities being West Sacramento, Phoenix, and Lehi. The average salary for fuel cell engineers in the top ten cities varies by only 5% between Nome, AK, and San Jose, CA, indicating limited potential for wage advancement based on location alone. However, the possibility of a lower cost of living in certain locations may be a factor to consider when evaluating salary and location.
Education
The level of education and specific expertise in the field can impact the salary of a fuel cell engineer. Fuel cell engineers with advanced degrees or specialized knowledge in fuel cell technology may be able to command higher salaries compared to those with less education or expertise.
Experience
Experience is another critical factor influencing the salary of fuel cell engineers. Experienced fuel cell engineers with a proven track record in the industry can expect to earn higher salaries compared to entry-level engineers who are just starting their careers. The type of role and specific responsibilities can also impact earnings, with staff engineers, directors, and hydrogen storage engineers typically earning higher salaries within the fuel cell engineering field.
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Salary growth: $11,245 in 10 years
Fuel cell engineers design, build, test, and install fuel cell components and systems. They also conduct evaluations of fuel cell components, subsystems, and systems, identify failures, and calculate efficiency and output rates. The salary of a fuel cell engineer varies depending on factors such as location, education, and experience.
According to Zippia, the average salary for a fuel cell engineer has increased by $11,245 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average salary for this profession was $81,511 per year, while in 2025, the average salary is $92,756 per year. This represents a 7% change in pay over the past decade.
The salary range for fuel cell engineers can vary significantly, with some sources stating an annual range of $67,000 to $127,000, while others provide a wider range of $58,410 to $141,060. The average hourly rate for fuel cell engineers is estimated to be around $44.59 to $46.47 per hour.
The highest-paying states for fuel cell engineers are California, Washington, and Nevada, while the cities with the highest salaries include West Sacramento, Phoenix, and Lehi. The average salary for fuel cell engineers at companies like Apple, AbbVie, Sanofi US, and Rivian is highly competitive and can vary based on the company and its location.
The annual compensation for this career has been on an upward trajectory since 2004, with salaries increasing by an average of 39.26% nationwide during this period.
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Frequently asked questions
On average, a fuel cell engineer makes $92,756 per year in the United States. The salary typically ranges between $67,000 and $127,000 per year.
A fuel cell engineer makes an average of $44.59 per hour. This equates to an average yearly salary of $91,813.
The highest-paying states for fuel cell engineers are California, Washington, and Nevada. The highest-paying cities are West Sacramento, Phoenix, and Lehi.


















