A Release Train Engineer (RTE) is a pivotal figure in the realm of Agile development, holding the mantle of both a servant leader and an Agile Release Trains (ART) coach. They shoulder the responsibility of orchestrating ART events and processes, ensuring that teams consistently deliver value. Often referred to as Chief Scrum Masters or Super Scrum Masters, they possess a deep-seated expertise in guiding and mentoring team members through the scrum framework.
It's worth noting that the release train engineer salary often reflects their multifaceted role and expertise in the industry. With the growing adoption of Agile methodologies, the demand and compensation for RTEs have seen a considerable surge.
Currently, Release Train Engineers are in high demand across several industries. Thus, candidates who are desirous of applying for this job role need to the Release Train Engineer salary trends in 2024.
Keep reading to learn more.
Release Train Engineer Salary in 2024
Globally, the average Release Train Engineer salary is around $159K per annum. However, the annual package you may receive will depend upon several factors. Find them, along with the estimated figures mentioned below:
1. Release Train Engineer Salary: Based on Experience
With experience, individuals gain insight, which can help them find solutions for even the trickiest of problems. Thus, this factor is a major contributor to a Release Train Engineer’s yearly package.
- Beginner: A beginner Release Train Engineer with less than 3 years of experience can earn around $121,400 per annum.
- Intermediate: An intermediate or mid-level Release Train Engineer with a job experience of 4 to 9 years can have an average salary of $137,500 per annum.
- Advanced: Advanced-level RTEs with a working experience of around 10 to 20 years can get an average yearly package of $167,700 per annum.
2. Release Train Engineer Salary: Based on Location
The average salary for Release Train Engineer jobs also tends to vary across locations. Additionally, they tend to differ across employers. Here is a list of the top-ranking countries in this regard, along with the best companies:
A. India
Here are the average Release Train Engineer salary in India across its top cities:
City Name | Average Salary |
Bangalore | ₹30.6 lakh per annum |
Pune | ₹28.0 lakh per annum |
Hyderabad | ₹31.6 lakh per annum |
Chennai | ₹25.0 lakh per annum |
Gurgaon | ₹33.8 lakh per annum |
Here are the average Release Train Engineer salary rates in some of the biggest companies in India:
Company Name | Average Salary |
American Express | ₹41.2 lakh per annum |
NatWest Group | ₹40.5 lakh per annum |
Bosch Global Software Technologies | ₹38.2 lakh per annum |
Philips | ₹33.9 lakh per annum |
HCLTech | ₹26.8 lakh per annum |
B. United States
The average salary you can earn as a Release Train Engineer in the top US cities is as follows:
City Name | Average Salary |
West Virginia | $245,700 per annum |
Arizona | $170,700 per annum |
North Carolina | $159,238 per annum |
New York | $150,000 per annum |
California | $148,950 per annum |
Below are the Release Train Engineer salaries in the biggest companies across the United States:
Company Name | Average Salary |
Agilent Technologies | $163,995 per annum |
Capital One | $159,633 per annum |
Rocket Companies | $152,038 per annum |
The Hartford | $151,431 per annum |
Bank of America | $143,964 per annum |
C. UK
The average Release Train Engineer salary in the UK based on location is as follows:
itjobswatchCity Name | Average Salary |
London | £70,571 per annum |
Cambridge | £67,533 per annum |
Manchester | £49,068 per annum |
Southampton | £58,201 per annum |
Leeds | £44,250 per annum |
Find the average Release Train Engineer salary in the top UK-based companies in the table below:
Company Name | Average Salary |
Vodafone | £82,534 per annum |
NatWest Group | £62K -£75K per annum |
AVEVA | £59,250 per annum |
Deutsche Bank | £96K -£103K per annum |
Tesco Bank | £97K -£105K per annum |
D. Australia
Here is the average Release Train Engineer Salary in Australia across the top Australian cities:
City Name | Average Salary |
Sydney | $164,996 per annum |
Melbourne | $179,000 per annum |
These are the average Release Train Engineer salaries offered by the top Australian companies:
Company Name | Average Salary |
NAB - National Australia Bank | $169,419 per annum |
Westpac Group | $156K -$170K per annum |
Mastercard | $159K -$172K per annum |
Alinta Energy | $201K -$218K per annum |
Honeywell | $155K -$167K per annum |
E. Canada
Based on location, the standard Release Train Engineer salary in Canada is as follows:
City Name | Average Salary |
British Columbia | $149,935 per annum |
Vancouver | $98,732 per annum |
Quebec | $98,774 per annum |
Ontario | $123,021 per annum |
Toronto | $136,261 per annum |
Here is the average release Train Engineer salary available across the top Canadian companies:
Company Name | Average Salary |
TD | $132K -$143K per annum |
RBC | $182K -$197K per annum |
Banque Nationale du Canada/National Bank of Canada | $102K -$140K per annum |
Teck Resources | $125K -$136K per annum |
Staples | $86K -$93K per annum |
Factors Affecting Release Train Engineer Salary
Here are some other factors that can affect the average Agile Release Train engineer's salary in 2024:
1. Industry
The approximate SAFe Release Train Engineer salaries across various industrial sectors are as follows:
Industry | Average Salary |
IT Services & Consulting | $137,000 per annum |
Software Development | $135,000 per annum |
Financial Services | $177,000 per annum |
Analytics & KPO | $115,000 per annum |
Internet | $136,500 per annum |
Engineering & Construction | $130,000 per annum |
Hardware & Networking | $129,000 per annum |
Consumer Electronics & Appliances | $132,500 per annum |
Consumer Goods | $135,250 per annum |
2. Demand and Supply
The demand and supply of professionals play a crucial role when determining the average Release Train Engineer salary. Therefore, in areas where there is a high demand for RTEs, their annual packages will be comparatively higher than in places with lesser demand.
3. Credentials / Certifications
Depending upon certifications, the approximate annual package for Release Train Engineers is as follows:
Certification | Average Salary |
Certified SAFe Advanced Scrum Master (SASM) | $128,000 per annum |
Certified SAFe Program Consultant (SPC) | $120,000 per annum |
Certified SAFe DevOps Practitioner (SDP) | $103,000 per annum |
Certified SAFe Agilist (SA) | $132,000 per annum |
Certified SAFe Product Owner/Project Manager (POPM) | $134,000 per annum |
Certified SAFe SAP Certified Citizen Developer Associate - SAP Build Low-code/No-code Applications and Automation | $90,000 per annum |
Note: SAFe Release Train Engineer certification is a basic requirement for candidates in order to apply for this job role.
How to Improve the Release of Train Engineer Salary?
Mentioned below are some ways in which you can increase your yearly Release Train Engineer salary:
1. Skills
Improving your skill sets not only enhances your proficiency but also increases your overall value as an employee. Additionally, it enables you to take up more job roles, which can significantly boost your salary in the long run.
Here are some of the most in-demand skills for Release Train Engineers:
- Narrating complex situations
- Practical Empathy
- Applying systems thinking
- Analytical thinking
- Decision making
- Problem-solving
- Establishing synchronization and cadence
- Managing stakeholders, etc.
2. Certifications
Having certifications demonstrates your expertise in specific domains. It adds weight to your resume, along with showcasing your drive towards learning and excellence. Now, these are the top soft skills that employers usually look for while hiring candidates.
In this way, certifications can help you get a higher annual package when you are applying to a different company. Thus, having additional certifications other than the required SAFe Release Train Engineer credential can be actually worth it.
Pro Tip – Opting for additional certifications via Agile online courses can significantly improve your chances of getting higher salaries.
a. Degrees: There is no specific educational requirement for becoming a release train engineer. However, companies offering release train engineer jobs prefer candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in the following fields:
- Business Administration
- Information Technology
b. Experience: The average agile release train engineer's salary based on experience is as follows:
Experience Level | Average Salary |
Entry level | $121,416 per annum |
Advanced level | $167,628 per annum |
Why are Release Train Engineers Paid So Much?
Release Train Engineers have various responsibilities, like setting up ART activities as per the company’s goals, maintaining schedules for various phases of the ART projects, identifying and resolving bottlenecks, etc. They also play the role of a servant leader as well as a coordinator between the management, operations and development teams.
In order to handle such responsibilities, RTEs need to have a varied skill set, along with a specific educational background. Hence, individuals working in this job role have such high salaries.
Conclusion
Given the high-release train engineer salary packages available in India and abroad, this job role offers a promising path for those looking to advance in their careers. However, if you aspire to secure this position, it's essential to clear the SAFe Release Train Engineer certification exam. It's also crucial to network and build relationships within the industry, as it could open doors to even more opportunities. The release train engineer salary reflects not just the technical expertise but also the leadership and coordination skills that are vital for the role.
Now, acing this test can be a tough nut to crack. Thus, opting for a professional course where you can get guidance from experts is a must. In this regard, our KnowledgeHut SAFe Release Train Engineer certification course can be a game changer. Apart from instructor-led online sessions and comprehensive exam support, you get access to SAFe® Collaborate and Online Workspace. Additionally, your exam fee is included in the course fees.
Check out our full range of Agile cloud computing courses by visiting our website today!
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