Blockchain Engineers
SOC code 15-1299 · O*NET-SOC 15-1299.07 · Considerable preparation needed · Computer and IT
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth and new and emerging for this occupation
Blockchain Engineers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$116,580
a year
Hourly
$56.05
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$122,230
$58.77 per hour
Middle 50%
$79,370 – $157,500
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$55,940 – $188,470
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
435,370
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Computer Occupations, All Other”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $55,940
- $26.89/hr
- 25th percentile
- $79,370
- $38.16/hr
- Median percentile
- $116,580
- $56.05/hr
- 75th percentile
- $157,500
- $75.72/hr
- 90th percentile
- $188,470
- $90.61/hr
What does a blockchain engineer do?
Maintain and support distributed and decentralized blockchain-based networks or block-chain applications such as cryptocurrency exchange, payment processing, document sharing, and digital voting. Design and deploy secure block-chain design patterns and solutions over geographically distributed networks using advanced technologies. May assist with infrastructure setup and testing for application transparency and security.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Discuss and plan systems with solution architects, system engineers, or cybersecurity experts to meet customer requirements.
- Implement catastrophic failure handlers to identify security breaches and prevent serious damage.
- Test the security and performance of blockchain infrastructures.
- Assess blockchain threats, such as untested code and unprotected keys.
- Design and deploy blockchain design patterns to make transactions secure, transparent, and immutable.
- Design and verify cryptographic protocols to protect private information.
- Evaluate blockchain processes or risks based on security assessments or control matrix reviews.
- Run infrastructure tests to examine the behavior of large peer-to-peer networks.
How to become a blockchain engineer
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 38% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree38%
- Some College Courses19%
- Master's Degree13%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)6%
Common questions
How much does a blockchain engineer earn?
The national median is $116,580 a year. The full range runs from $55,940 at the 10th percentile to $188,470 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a blockchain engineer without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.8/5
- Active Learning3.5/5
- Writing3.3/5
Knowledge areas
- Computers and Electronics4.5/5
- Engineering and Technology4.3/5
- Mathematics3.7/5
- English Language3.1/5
- Design2.9/5
- Law and Government2.7/5
- Telecommunications2.7/5
- Customer and Personal Service2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Programming, Systems Analysis, Time Management.