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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hardware R&D Engineer I in California is $90,953 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $44.
However, a Hardware R&D Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Hardware R&D Engineer I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $98,263 | $8,189 | $1,890 | $47 |
| Average | $90,953 | $7,579 | $1,749 | $44 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,013 | $6,918 | $1,596 | $40 |
Vertex Sigma Software - Foster City, CA
DensityAI - Mountain View, CA
TSMG - Mountain View, CA
Furientis - Los Angeles, CA
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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware R&D Engineer I | 0-2 years | $90,930 |
| Hardware Design Engineer II | 2-4 years | $108,709 |
| Hardware Design Engineer III | 4-7 years | $126,051 |
| Hardware Design Engineer - Specialist | 7+ years | $153,093 |
| Hardware Design Engineer V | 7-10 years | $180,719 |
What Am I Worth?
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:
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:
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 $101,817. While startup companies pay approximate $86,134.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $86,134 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $91,097 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $98,322 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $101,817 |
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $109,144 | $52.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $107,325 | $52.0 | 18% |
| Business Services | $100,048 | $48.0 | 10% |
| Healthcare | $100,048 | $48.0 | 10% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $100,048 | $48.0 | 10% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $98,263 | $8,189 | $1,890 | $47 |
| Average | $90,953 | $7,579 | $1,749 | $44 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,013 | $6,918 | $1,596 | $40 |
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 $108,800 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.
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.
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