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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hardware R&D Engineer IV in Kentucky is $130,598 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.
However, a Hardware R&D Engineer IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Hardware R&D Engineer IV Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $137,316 | $11,443 | $2,641 | $66 |
| Average | $130,598 | $10,883 | $2,512 | $63 |
| 25th Percentile | $122,506 | $10,209 | $2,356 | $59 |
Control Touch Systems, LLC - Louisville, KY
Kaiser Permanente - COUNTRY PARK ACRES, NC
L3Harris Technologies - MELBOURNE, FL
L3Harris Technologies - PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, FL
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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware Design Engineer II | 2-4 years | $92,743 |
| Hardware Design Engineer III | 4-7 years | $107,537 |
| Hardware R&D Engineer IV | 7+ years | $130,608 |
| Hardware Design Engineer V | 7-10 years | $154,176 |
| Hardware Development Engineer VI | 10-12 years | $184,259 |
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 IVs. 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 IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $146,197. While startup companies pay approximate $123,679.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $123,679 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $130,805 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $141,179 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $146,197 |
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $154,106 | $74.0 | 18% |
| Financial Services | $154,106 | $74.0 | 18% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $154,106 | $74.0 | 18% |
| Software & Networking | $154,106 | $74.0 | 18% |
| Internet | $148,882 | $72.0 | 14% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $137,316 | $11,443 | $2,641 | $66 |
| Average | $130,598 | $10,883 | $2,512 | $63 |
| 25th Percentile | $122,506 | $10,209 | $2,356 | $59 |
For a Hardware R&D Engineer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Hardware Design Engineer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $154,200 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.
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.
L3Harris Technologies
INDIAN HARBOUR BEACH, FL
L3Harris Technologies | INDIAN HARBOUR BEACH, FL
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LA PLATA, MD
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SimVentions, Inc., a mission-focused technology solutions company, is seeking a Hardware Engineer to design, develop, and test hardware for complex defense... more
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PORT TOBACCO, MD
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MOUNT VICTORIA, MD
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CHAPTICO, MD
SimVentions, Inc | CHAPTICO, MD
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DENTSVILLE, MD
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