Forward deployed engineer salary

Most FDE posts still hide numbers. Where employers publish a salary floor on this board, here is what the live feed shows (updated August 14, 2026).

$168k median listed floor

$80k lowest listed floor

$296k highest listed floor

465 roles with a number

Band across those posts: $80k–$296k (median $168k). That is a floor/range parse from public listings — not total compensation, and not an offer guarantee.

How to read FDE comp

Base vs total — equity, bonuses, and clearance premiums often matter more than the public band
Travel — on-site/hybrid roles may include per diem or travel stipend; ask early
Geo — SF, NYC, and DC-area defense roles price differently than EU hubs; see location hotspots
Level — “senior/staff FDE” titles swing wide; calibrate against the company’s IC ladder, not the job board title alone

Where the numbers come from

We scrape public ATS pages and parse salary text when present. Always confirm on the company’s careers page before you apply. Market-wide snapshot: State of FDE Hiring.