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Hourly Wage for Hardware R&D Engineer I Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for Hardware R&D Engineer I?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Hardware R&D Engineer I in the United States is $40, which translates to an annual salary of about $82,453.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $46 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $36 to $43 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $33 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $36 10% $33 90% $46 75% $43 $40 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Hardware R&D Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $89,093 $7,424 $1,713 $43
Average $82,453 $6,871 $1,586 $40
25th Percentile $75,263 $6,272 $1,447 $36
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Key Factors That Influence Hardware R&D Engineer I Salaries

A Hardware R&D Engineer I'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 Hardware R&D Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Hardware R&D Engineer I'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:

  • Hardware R&D Engineer I (0-2 years): $82,439
  • Hardware Design Engineer II (2-4 years): $98,558
  • Hardware Design Engineer III (4-7 years): $114,280
  • Hardware Design Engineer - Specialist (7+ years): $138,797
  • Hardware Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $163,843
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Hardware R&D Engineer I0-2 years$82,439
Hardware Design Engineer II2-4 years$98,558
Hardware Design Engineer III4-7 years$114,280
Hardware Design Engineer - Specialist7+ years$138,797
Hardware Design Engineer V7-10 years$163,843
$82,439 Hardware ...
$98,558 Hardware ...
$114,280 Hardware ...
$138,797 Hardware ...
$163,843 Hardware ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Hardware R&D Engineer Is

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: $104,003
  • San Francisco: $102,863
  • Oakland: $100,693

What Skills Can Increase a Hardware R&D Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.61% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Hardware Design (Mentioned in 2.88% Job Postings): Hardware design may be viewed as algorithm, which considers all of the systems present and foreseeable requirements and arranges the necessary hardware components into a workable set of cleanly bounded subsystems with no more parts than are required.
  • Circuit Design (Mentioned in 1.82% Job Postings): The process of circuit design can cover systems ranging from complex electronic systems all the way down to the individual transistors within an integrated circuit. For simple circuits the design process can often be done by one person without needing a planned or structured design process, but for more complex designs, teams of designers following a systematic approach with intelligently guided computer simulation are becoming increasingly common. In integrated circuit design automation, the term "circuit design" often refers to the step of the design cycle which outputs the schematics of the integrated circuit. Typically this is the step between logic design and physical design.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.61%
Hardware Design 2.88%
Circuit Design 1.82%
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 Hardware R&D Engineer I's salary.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Team Development: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Decision Making
$96,470
17%
Team Development
$92,347
12%
Leadership
$91,523
11%
Algorithms
$91,523
11%
Networking
$90,698
10%
Hardware Development
$90,698
10%
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Hardware R&D Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Hardware R&D Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $92,301. While startup companies pay approximate $78,085.

Hardware R&D Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$78,085
Growth Stage51~500$82,584
Established501~5000$89,133
Enterprise5000+$92,301

Hardware R&D Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Hardware R&D Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Hardware R&D Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Hardware R&D Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Hardware R&D Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$98,944$48.020%
Financial Services$97,295$47.018%
Business Services$90,698$44.010%
Healthcare$90,698$44.010%
Pharmaceuticals$90,698$44.010%

How Education impacts a Hardware R&D Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Hardware R&D Engineer Is enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Hardware R&D Engineer I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $74,564 and $77,795).

Hardware R&D Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Hardware R&D Engineer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.1%
High School 4.1%
Associates 8.1%
Bachelors 55.8%
Masters 27.4%
Doctorate 4.1%
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Hardware R&D Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Hardware R&D Engineer I'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

Salary Trends for Hardware R&D Engineer I

Salaries for a Hardware R&D Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $79,391 in 2023 to around $77,771 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Hardware R&D Engineer I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Hardware R&D Engineer I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$79,391
2024
$78,725
2025
$77,771
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $79,391
2024 $78,725
2025 $77,771
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Hardware R&D Engineer I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Hardware R&D Engineer I

Here are companies hiring for Hardware R&D Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Hardware R&D Engineer I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Hardware R&D Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
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FAQ about Hardware R&D Engineer I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Hardware R&D Engineer I?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Hardware R&D Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Does R&D include salary?

Yes, R&D salaries are included in Qualified Research Expenses (QREs). This encompasses wages for employees directly engaged in research activities, as well as those who supervise or support these efforts. For a Hardware R&D Engineer, salaries typically range from $74,003 to $84,963, with a mid-salary of $79,613.

3. Do hardware engineers make good money?

Yes, hardware engineers can earn a competitive salary. Based on the data, the salary range for a Hardware R&D Engineer is approximately $74,003 to $84,963, with a mid-salary of around $79,613. This reflects a solid earning potential within the field, making it a lucrative career choice.

4. Do hardware engineers make good money?

Yes, hardware engineers can earn a competitive salary. The minimum salary for a Hardware R&D Engineer is approximately $74,003, while the mid-range salary is around $79,613. The maximum salary can reach up to $84,963, indicating that there is potential for significant earnings in this field, especially with experience and expertise.

5. Who is the highest paid IT engineer?

The highest paid IT engineer role in 2025 is the Hardware R&D Engineer, with a maximum annual salary of $84,963. The salary range for this position starts at $74,003, with a mid-level salary of $79,613, reflecting the growing demand for expertise in hardware development.

6. What is the difference between R&D scientist and R&D engineer?

Loosely speaking, a research scientist focuses on generating original ideas, while a research engineer applies engineering skills to implement and test these ideas. Typically, research scientists hold a Ph.D. and have published in top-tier conferences. In terms of compensation, Hardware R&D Engineers earn between $74,003 and $84,963, with a median salary of $79,613.

7. Which engineering is highest paid in USA?

Among engineering fields, Hardware R&D Engineers earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $74,003, a mid-range salary of $79,613, and a maximum of $84,963. While various engineering disciplines offer high pay, Hardware R&D Engineers are well-compensated, reflecting the demand for expertise in technology development and innovation.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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