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60 Automation engineer jobs in Columbus, OH

11 of the Highest Paying Automation Engineer Jobs in 2026

The best Automation Engineer jobs can pay up to $136,500 per year.

As an automation engineer, your job is to design and develop automated machines for your company. Your responsibilities may include determining the best way to implement automation, creating devices that meet the company's needs and specifications, testing robots to ensure they perform as designed, and monitoring existing automation to check if repair or replacement is needed. Many duties of this job vary by industry. For example, automation engineers work in areas like the automotive industry, food preparation and packaging, electronics production, and appliance production, and each of these fields has different materials and objectives. However, regardless of industry, most automation engineers work with both hardware and software.

The primary qualifications to become an automation engineer include at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as electrical engineering or computer science, and several years of experience with manufacturing and automation. However, employers tend to prefer applicants who have a master's degree or more extensive experience because this is a relatively senior position that can have an enormous impact on a company's daily operations and profits. As such, most automation engineers start in another job (often writing automation software) before moving into this role. To excel as an automation engineer, you need strong technical and analytical problem-solving skills, attention to detail, as well as the ability to perform risk assessments and collaborate with developers and quality assurance teams.

High Paying Automation Engineer Jobs

List of the top 10 highest paying Automation Engineer positions in 2026, with salary ranges, according to ZipRecruiter.

  • Senior Automation Engineer

    Salary range: $104,000 - $136,500

    The duties of a senior automation engineer are to develop, design, and configure systems that automate processes, such as manufacturing or software processes. Some people in this position work exclusively with software design while others work with hardware design and production. Some may provide both digital and physical solutions to automation problems. Regardless of the field, the responsibilities of a senior automation engineer are to improve efficiency while reducing the number of people it takes to complete a given process. Qualifications typically include a bachelor’s or master’s degree, experience in the industry, and leadership skills.

  • Principal Automation Engineer

    Salary range: $106,000 - $135,500

    The majority of Principal Automation Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $106,000 (25th percentile) and $135,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Principal Automation Engineer job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.

  • Senior QA Automation Engineer

    Salary range: $104,500 - $134,000

    The majority of Senior QA Automation Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $104,500 (25th percentile) and $134,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Senior QA Automation Engineer job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.

  • Process Automation Engineer

    Salary range: $84,500 - $130,500

    The majority of Process Automation Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $84,500 (25th percentile) and $130,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Process Automation Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

  • Industrial Automation Engineer

    Salary range: $79,000 - $112,500

    As an industrial automation engineer, your responsibilities include troubleshooting systems and equipment and maintaining software, robotics, and machinery in a manufacturing facility. You also set up, install, and monitor new equipment, program and adjust process controls, and purchase and maintain stock levels of all necessary electronic equipment. You stay within company standards and accepted industry practices when preparing project scopes, design concepts, bills of material, specifications, and cost estimates for production. Other duties include working directly with clients, preparing project correspondence as needed, and developing industrial software programs based on client product requirements.

  • Manufacturing Automation Engineer

    Salary range: $86,500 - $111,000

    The majority of Manufacturing Automation Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $86,500 (25th percentile) and $111,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Manufacturing Automation Engineer job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.

  • Automation Controls Engineer

    Salary range: $83,500 - $110,500

    Automation controls engineers help create the layout of electrical and mechanical control systems. In this role, you may help program an automation process, modify existing programming when necessary, and help ensure the company is using the safest and most productive system possible for its needs. You may also be responsible for creating training documentation to show employees how to control and adjust their operations. Most automation control engineers work in manufacturing plants and similar companies where physical automation is used to speed up production tasks. This job should not be confused with automation programming outside of the manufacturing sector, such as software programming.

  • Automation Specialist

    Salary range: $57,000 - $98,500

    The majority of Automation Specialist salaries across the United States currently range between $57,000 (25th percentile) and $98,500 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Automation Specialist job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.

  • Industrial Automation Specialist

    Salary range: $62,500 - $98,000

    The majority of Industrial Automation Specialist salaries across the United States currently range between $62,500 (25th percentile) and $98,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Industrial Automation Specialist job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.

  • Automation Technician

    Salary range: $42,000 - $42,000

    An automation technician works to maintain computer-controlled, automated systems that are designed to remove humans from the process, such as in robotic assembly, food processing, and other industrial applications. As an automation technician, your responsibilities include checking these systems and diagnosing and isolating problems by performing tests to then repair or replace parts. Other duties include installing upgrades and modifications as needed. You are expected to stay updated on the most cutting-edge technological developments in your industry and provide insight into improved processes where possible.

  • Automation Clerk

    Salary range: $30,000 - $35,000

    The majority of Automation Clerk salaries across the United States currently range between $30,000 (25th percentile) and $35,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Automation Clerk job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

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