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

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Hardware R&D Engineer IV in the United States is $67, which translates to an annual salary of about $138,787.

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): $73 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $63 to $70 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $59 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $63 10% $59 90% $73 75% $70 $67 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Hardware R&D Engineer IV Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $145,926 $12,161 $2,806 $70
Average $138,787 $11,566 $2,669 $67
25th Percentile $130,187 $10,849 $2,504 $63
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Key Factors That Influence Hardware R&D Engineer IV Salaries

A Hardware R&D Engineer IV'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 IV'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 Design Engineer II (2-4 years): $98,558
  • Hardware Design Engineer III (4-7 years): $114,280
  • Hardware R&D Engineer IV (7+ years): $138,797
  • Hardware Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $163,843
  • Hardware Development Engineer VI (10-12 years): $195,812
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Hardware Design Engineer II2-4 years$98,558
Hardware Design Engineer III4-7 years$114,280
Hardware R&D Engineer IV7+ years$138,797
Hardware Design Engineer V7-10 years$163,843
Hardware Development Engineer VI10-12 years$195,812
$98,558 Hardware ...
$114,280 Hardware ...
$138,797 Hardware ...
$163,843 Hardware ...
$195,812 Hardware ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Hardware R&D Engineer IVs

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: $175,055
  • San Francisco: $173,138
  • Oakland: $169,489

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.46% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Circuit Design (Mentioned in 3.83% 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.
  • Hardware Development (Mentioned in 2.22% Job Postings): Hardware development is a complex effort that includes the creation and optimization of electronics and mechanical system elements that perform various computational processes.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.46%
Circuit Design 3.83%
Hardware Development 2.22%
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 IV's salary.
  • Semiconductors: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Product Design: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Semiconductors
$162,381
17%
Python
$159,605
15%
Product Design
$158,217
14%
Integrity
$154,054
11%
System Design
$152,666
10%
PCB Design
$152,666
10%
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Hardware R&D Engineer IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Hardware R&D Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $155,364. While startup companies pay approximate $131,434.

Hardware R&D Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$131,434
Growth Stage51~500$139,007
Established501~5000$150,032
Enterprise5000+$155,364

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

For Hardware R&D Engineer IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 42% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Hardware R&D Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Hardware R&D Engineer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

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

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$163,769$79.018%
Financial Services$163,769$79.018%
Pharmaceuticals$163,769$79.018%
Software & Networking$163,769$79.018%
Internet$158,217$76.014%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Hardware R&D Engineer IVs 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 IV with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $136,306 and $142,739).

Hardware R&D Engineer IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Hardware R&D Engineer IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 2.9%
Associates 2.9%
Bachelors 36.2%
Masters 46.7%
Doctorate 13.3%
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Hardware R&D Engineer IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Hardware R&D Engineer IV'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 IV

Salaries for a Hardware R&D Engineer IV can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $134,624 in 2023 to around $132,866 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Hardware R&D Engineer IV salary trends, .

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

2022
$???
2023
$134,624
2024
$134,304
2025
$132,866
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $134,624
2024 $134,304
2025 $132,866
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Hardware R&D Engineer IV

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

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

Find Your Next Hardware R&D Engineer IV Job

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

United States
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    Columbus, OH

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    CDL

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    Columbus, OH

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FAQ about Hardware R&D Engineer IV

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

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Hardware R&D Engineer IV roles, with salaries approximately 18% above the market median.

2. How much does a hardware engineer make in the US?

How much does a hardware engineer make? The salary range for a Hardware R&D Engineer is approximately $132,111 to $154,861, with a mid-salary of around $143,621. This reflects the competitive compensation for professionals in this field in the US.

3. What is the average salary of a CEO of a billion dollar company?

The average salary for a Hardware R&D Engineer ranges from $132,111 to $154,861, with a mid-salary of $143,621. In comparison, CEOs of billion-dollar companies have a significantly higher compensation, with total median cash compensation around $1,639,000, reflecting the substantial differences in roles and responsibilities.

4. Which engineering is highest paid in USA?

Among engineering roles, Hardware R&D Engineers are notably well-compensated, with salaries ranging from $132,111 to $154,861, and a median salary of $143,621. While various engineering fields offer competitive pay, Hardware R&D Engineers stand out for their specialized skills and contributions to technology development.

5. How much do R&D engineers make in USA?

The estimated total pay for a Hardware R&D Engineer in the USA ranges from $132,111 to $154,861 per year, with a mid-salary of $143,621. These figures reflect the salary range based on industry data, providing a clear picture of compensation for this role.

6. What is the head of R&D called?

The chief research officer (CRO), research officer, or research director is the senior executive responsible for overseeing research that aligns with enterprise goals. This role typically commands a salary ranging from $132,111 to $154,861, with a mid-salary of $143,621. The CRO usually reports directly to the chief executive officer.

7. How much does the head of R&D make in the US?

As of Jan 27, 2025, the average annual pay for a Head of R&D in the United States is approximately $143,621, with salaries ranging from a minimum of $132,111 to a maximum of $154,861. This reflects the competitive compensation for leadership roles in hardware research and development.

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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