Median annual earnings of sales engineers, including commissions, were $63,660 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $48,650 and $84,880 a year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,430, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $108,080 a year. Median annual earnings employed by firms in the computer systems design and related services industry in 2002 were $77,100; earnings for sales engineers in the professional and commercial equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers industry were $53,170.

In addition to their earnings, sales engineers who work for manufacturers are usually reimbursed for expenses such as transportation, meals, hotels, and customer entertainment. In addition to typical benefits, sales engineers often get personal use of a company car and frequent-flyer mileage. Some companies offer incentives such as free vacation trips or gifts for outstanding performance. Sales engineers who work in independent firms may have higher but less stable earnings and, often, relatively few benefits.