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Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) Salary in the United States

How much does a Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) in the United States is $138,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $67.

However, a Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D)'s salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $160,752
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $132,300 to $150,100
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $126,746
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View as table View as graph 25% $132,300 10% $126,746 90% $160,752 75% $150,100 $138,400 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $150,100 $12,508 $2,887 $72
Average $138,400 $11,533 $2,662 $67
25th Percentile $132,300 $11,025 $2,544 $64
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Key Factors That Influence Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) Salaries

A Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D)'s salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D)'s salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Chemical Engineer II - Research & Development (R&D) (2-4 years): $97,230
  • Chemical Engineer III - Research & Development (R&D) (4-7 years): $114,421
  • Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) (7+ years): $138,331
  • Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant (7-10 years): $164,836
  • Chemical Engineer - Advisor (10-12 years): $190,106
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Chemical Engineer II - Research & Development (R&D)2-4 years$97,230
Chemical Engineer III - Research & Development (R&D)4-7 years$114,421
Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D)7+ years$138,331
Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant7-10 years$164,836
Chemical Engineer - Advisor10-12 years$190,106
$97,230 Chemical ...
$114,421 Chemical ...
$138,331 Chemical ...
$164,836 Chemical ...
$190,106 Chemical ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D)s

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $174,500
  • San Francisco: $172,600
  • Oakland: $169,000

What Skills Can Increase a Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D)'s Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Consulting (Mentioned in 8.37% Job Postings): Providing technical or business expertise and advice to internal or external clients.
  • Support Services (Mentioned in 2.79% Job Postings): Support Services means those activities provided to or on behalf of a person in the areas of personal care and assistance and property maintenance in order to allow a person to live in the least restrictive environment.
  • Environmental Technology (Mentioned in 1.99% Job Postings): environmental technologies aim to protect the environment. They offer ways of consuming which are less polluting or do so in a sustainable manner, and often provide new ways to avoid depletion of natural resources altogether.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Consulting 8.37%
Support Services 2.79%
Environmental Technology 1.99%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D)'s salary.
  • Design Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 38%.
  • Customer Service: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Design Engineering
$190,992
38%
Customer Service
$170,232
23%
Insight
$167,464
21%
Products and Services
$161,928
17%
System Design
$153,624
11%
Written Communication
$153,624
11%
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Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $155,021. While startup companies pay approximate $131,257.

Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$131,257
Growth Stage51~500$138,781
Established501~5000$149,733
Enterprise5000+$155,021

Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D)

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$179,920$86.030%
Financial Services$173,000$83.025%
Software & Networking$173,000$83.025%
Energy & Utilities$166,080$80.020%
MFG Durable$159,160$77.015%

How Education impacts a Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D)'s Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D)s enter the field with a Master's Degree or MBA degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $139,673 and $147,836).

Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D)
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 41.5%
High School 28.4%
Associates 30.1%
Bachelors 41.5%
Masters 28.4%
Doctorate 30.1%
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Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D)'s annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D), the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Chemical Engineer - Expert/Consultant role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $164,900 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D)

Salaries for a Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $130,658 in 2023 to around $126,693 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$130,658
2024
$129,285
2025
$126,693
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $130,658
2024 $129,285
2025 $126,693
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D)

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D)

Here are companies hiring for Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Payments Engineering. About the Company. Globally-recognized provider of corporate payment solutions. Industry. Financial Services. Type. P... more

    21 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Senior Vice President of Project Delivery. About the Company. A multi-billion-dollar construction organization with collaborative, servant-minded leadershi... more

    21 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Chief of Staff. About the Company. Innovative travel platform for booking & managing work trips. Industry. Computer Software. Type. Privately Held, VC-back... more

    21 Days Ago

  • McDonalds

    Columbus, OH

    McDonalds | Columbus, OH

    McDonald’s is seeking Crew Team Members to assist with daily restaurant operations including customer service, food preparation, and maintaining restaurant... more

    28 Days Ago

  • Amazon Flex

    Columbus, OH

    Amazon Flex | Columbus, OH

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    28 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Commercial. About the Company. Globally-recognized manufacturer of packaging components & delivery systems for injectable drugs. Industry. ... more

    1 Month Ago

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FAQ about Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D)

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D)?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D) roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. What is the lowest paid Chemical Engineer?

The lowest paid Chemical Engineer in Research & Development (R&D) earns a minimum salary of $131,500. Chemical engineering is among the highest paid scientific professions, with salaries influenced by factors such as education and experience. The mid-salary for this role is $146,400, while the maximum can reach $161,500.

3. What do R&D chemical engineers do?

Chemical engineers in R&D collaborate with chemists and other engineers to innovate processes and products that align with customer needs. They also assist clients in resolving production and process challenges, offering tailored solutions. The salary range for these professionals typically falls between $131,500 and $161,500, with a mid-point of $146,400.

4. How much is a Chemical Engineer paid in the USA?

The estimated total pay for a Chemical Engineer in Research & Development (R&D) ranges from $131,500 to $161,500 per year, with a mid-salary of $146,400. These figures reflect the competitive compensation in this field, highlighting the value of expertise and experience in the industry.

5. How much does a research and development engineer earn in the US?

As of January 01, 2025, a Research and Development Engineer in the United States can expect to earn between $131,500 and $161,500 annually, with a mid-salary of approximately $146,400. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise within the field.

6. What is the highest salary chemical engineering jobs?

The highest salary for a Chemical Engineer in Research & Development (R&D) ranges from $131,500 to $161,500, with a mid-salary of $146,400. This positions chemical engineering as a lucrative career option, especially when compared to other high-paying professions in India.

7. What is the highest salary of R&D engineer?

The highest salary that a Chemical Engineer in Research & Development (R&D) can earn is ₹16.15 Lakhs per year (₹1.34 Lakhs per month).

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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