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Hardware R&D Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Hardware R&D Engineer I make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hardware R&D Engineer I in the United States is $84,473 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

However, a Hardware R&D Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $97,464
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $77,103 to $91,273
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,393
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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): $84,460
  • Hardware Design Engineer II (2-4 years): $98,561
  • Hardware Design Engineer III (4-7 years): $119,346
  • Hardware Design Engineer - Specialist (7+ years): $138,794
  • Hardware Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $163,833
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Hardware R&D Engineer I0-2 years$84,460
Hardware Design Engineer II2-4 years$98,561
Hardware Design Engineer III4-7 years$119,346
Hardware Design Engineer - Specialist7+ years$138,794
Hardware Design Engineer V7-10 years$163,833
View as Graph

How Do Hardware R&D Engineer I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Hardware R&D Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $93,533.
  • California: $93,173.
  • Massachusetts: $91,933.

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: $106,543
  • San Francisco: $105,383
  • Oakland: $103,163

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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.61%
Hardware Design 2.88%
Circuit Design 1.82%
See More Skills

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 $98,833
17%
Team Development $94,610
12%
Leadership $93,765
11%
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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 $94,305. While startup companies pay approximate $79,853.

Hardware R&D Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $79,853
Growth Stage 51~500 $84,434
Established 501~5000 $91,059
Enterprise 5000+ $94,305

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$101,368$49.020%
Financial Services$99,678$48.018%
Business Services$92,920$45.010%
Healthcare$92,920$45.010%
Pharmaceuticals$92,920$45.010%

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%
View as Graph

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 October 01, 2026
$77,103
Average $84,473/year
$91,273
$6,425
Average $7,039/month
$7,606
$1,483
Average $1,624/week
$1,755
$37
Average $41/hour
$44
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $91,273 $7,606 $1,755 $44
Average $84,473 $7,039 $1,624 $41
25th Percentile $77,103 $6,425 $1,483 $37

Hardware R&D Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Hardware R&D Engineer I

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Advancement

For a Hardware R&D Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Hardware Design Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $98,600 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Hardware R&D Engineer I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

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.

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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 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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