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Hardware R&D Engineer V Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hardware R&D Engineer V in the United States is $163,853 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $179,557
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $155,203 to $172,073
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $147,328
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 V Salaries

A Hardware R&D Engineer V'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 V'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 III (4-7 years): $114,281
  • Hardware Design Engineer - Specialist (7+ years): $138,795
  • Hardware R&D Engineer V (7-10 years): $163,838
  • Hardware Development Engineer VI (10-12 years): $195,808
  • Hardware Design Engineering Supervisor (12+ years): $127,800
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Hardware Design Engineer III4-7 years$114,281
Hardware Design Engineer - Specialist7+ years$138,795
Hardware R&D Engineer V7-10 years$163,838
Hardware Development Engineer VI10-12 years$195,808
Hardware Design Engineering Supervisor12+ years$127,800
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How Do Hardware R&D Engineer V 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 Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $181,423.
  • California: $180,733.
  • Massachusetts: $178,323.

Top Paying Cities for Hardware R&D Engineer Vs

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: $206,663
  • San Francisco: $204,403
  • Oakland: $200,093

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.47% 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 3.73% 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 2.16% 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.47%
Circuit Design 3.73%
Hardware Development 2.16%
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 V's salary.

  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Prototyping: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Accountability $186,792
14%
Presentation $181,877
11%
Prototyping $178,600
9%
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Hardware R&D Engineer V Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Hardware R&D Engineer V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $183,113. While startup companies pay approximate $154,895.

Hardware R&D Engineer V Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $154,895
Growth Stage 51~500 $163,817
Established 501~5000 $176,819
Enterprise 5000+ $183,113

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

For Hardware R&D Engineer V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% 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 V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

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

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$196,624$95.020%
Software & Networking$196,624$95.020%
Energy & Utilities$188,431$91.015%
Chemicals$180,238$87.010%
Insurance$180,238$87.010%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Hardware R&D Engineer Vs 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 V with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $160,100 and $167,708).

Hardware R&D Engineer V Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Hardware R&D Engineer V
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.5%
High School 4.5%
Associates 2.7%
Bachelors 23.4%
Masters 57.7%
Doctorate 11.7%
View as Graph

Hardware R&D Engineer V Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Hardware R&D Engineer V'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 September 01, 2026
$155,203
Average $163,853/year
$172,073
$12,934
Average $13,654/month
$14,339
$2,985
Average $3,151/week
$3,309
$75
Average $79/hour
$83
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $172,073 $14,339 $3,309 $83
Average $163,853 $13,654 $3,151 $79
25th Percentile $155,203 $12,934 $2,985 $75

Hardware R&D Engineer V Salary Growth & Career Path

Hardware R&D Engineer V

Next Role

Advancement

For a Hardware R&D Engineer V, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Hardware Development Engineer VI role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $195,900 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Hardware R&D Engineer V

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

Common company salaries for Hardware R&D Engineer V

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

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FAQ about Hardware R&D Engineer V

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

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

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

R&D engineers in the USA earn between $157,513 and $184,633 annually, with a median salary of $170,743. This reflects a more competitive compensation compared to previous data, indicating a strong demand for skilled professionals in this field.

3. Which engineering is highest paid in USA?

Among engineering roles, Hardware R&D Engineers are notably well-compensated in the USA, with salaries ranging from $157,513 to $184,633, and a median salary of $170,743. This positions them among the highest-paid engineering jobs, alongside fields like Petroleum and Aerospace Engineering, which also offer lucrative salaries.

4. What is the highest salary for a hardware engineer?

The highest salary for a Hardware R&D Engineer is $184,633. The minimum salary starts at $157,513, while the mid-range salary is approximately $170,743. These figures reflect the competitive compensation in the field, highlighting the value of expertise and experience in hardware research and development.

5. 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 in the US is $157,513 to $184,633, with a mid-salary of $170,743. This reflects the specialized nature of the role and the demand for skilled professionals in the field.

6. Is R&D engineer a good career?

A career as an R&D engineer is highly appealing, especially with the growing demand from new-age companies. The salary range for this role is competitive, with a minimum of $157,513, a mid-range of $170,743, and a maximum of $184,633. This imbalance in demand and supply makes it a promising career choice for those interested in innovation and technology.

7. What is the highest salary of an R&D engineer?

The highest salary that a Hardware R&D Engineer can earn is ₹1,84,633 per year (approximately ₹15,386 per month).

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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