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Hardware R&D Engineering Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Hardware R&D Engineering Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hardware R&D Engineering Manager in the United States is $163,490 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $181,257
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $151,190 to $172,790
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $139,991
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Hardware R&D Engineering Manager Salaries

A Hardware R&D Engineering Manager'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 Engineering Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Hardware R&D Engineering Manager'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 Development Engineer VI (10-12 years): $195,808
  • Hardware Design Engineering Supervisor (12+ years): $127,800
  • Hardware R&D Engineering Manager (12+ years): $163,450
  • Hardware Design Engineering Senior Manager (12+ years): $192,449
  • Hardware Design Engineering Director (12+ years): $236,722
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Hardware Development Engineer VI10-12 years$195,808
Hardware Design Engineering Supervisor12+ years$127,800
Hardware R&D Engineering Manager12+ years$163,450
Hardware Design Engineering Senior Manager12+ years$192,449
Hardware Design Engineering Director12+ years$236,722
View as Graph

How Do Hardware R&D Engineering Manager 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 Engineering Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $180,990.
  • California: $180,290.
  • Massachusetts: $177,890.

Top Paying Cities for Hardware R&D Engineering Managers

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: $206,190
  • San Francisco: $203,990
  • Oakland: $199,690

What Skills Can Increase a Hardware R&D Engineering Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 13.24% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Career Development (Mentioned in 2.45% Job Postings): Refers to the process an individual may undergo to evolve their occupational status. It is the process of making decisions for long term learning, to align personal needs of physical or psychological fulfillment with career advancement opportunities.
  • Hardware Design (Mentioned in 1.96% 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 13.24%
Career Development 2.45%
Hardware Design 1.96%
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 Engineering Manager's salary.

  • Employee Health and Safety: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Negotiating: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Scope Management: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Employee Health and Safety $191,283
17%
Negotiating $189,648
16%
Scope Management $189,648
16%
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Hardware R&D Engineering Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Hardware R&D Engineering Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $182,707. While startup companies pay approximate $154,551.

Hardware R&D Engineering Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $154,551
Growth Stage 51~500 $163,454
Established 501~5000 $176,427
Enterprise 5000+ $182,707

Hardware R&D Engineering Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Hardware R&D Engineering Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 38% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Hardware R&D Engineering Manager positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Hardware R&D Engineering Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Hardware R&D Engineering Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$192,918$93.018%
Aerospace & Defense$183,109$88.012%
Energy & Utilities$179,839$86.010%
Financial Services$179,839$86.010%
Insurance$176,569$85.08%

How Education impacts a Hardware R&D Engineering Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Hardware R&D Engineering Managers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Engineering Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $164,354 and $171,369).

Hardware R&D Engineering Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Hardware R&D Engineering Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 7.1%
High School 7.1%
Associates 3.6%
Bachelors 39.3%
Masters 42.9%
Doctorate 7.1%
View as Graph

Hardware R&D Engineering Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Hardware R&D Engineering Manager'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
$151,190
Average $163,490/year
$172,790
$12,599
Average $13,624/month
$14,399
$2,908
Average $3,144/week
$3,323
$73
Average $79/hour
$83
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $172,790 $14,399 $3,323 $83
Average $163,490 $13,624 $3,144 $79
25th Percentile $151,190 $12,599 $2,908 $73

Hardware R&D Engineering Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Hardware R&D Engineering Manager

Next Role

Advancement

For a Hardware R&D Engineering Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Hardware Design Engineering Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $192,500 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Hardware R&D Engineering Manager

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

Common company salaries for Hardware R&D Engineering Manager

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

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FAQ about Hardware R&D Engineering Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Hardware R&D Engineering Manager?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Hardware R&D Engineering Manager roles, with salaries approximately 18% above the market median.

2. Where do engineering managers make the most money?

Engineering managers can earn significant salaries in various cities across the United States. For instance, in Seattle, WA, the average salary reaches $204,766. Other notable locations include Rolling Meadows, IL at $167,878, and Dallas, TX at $153,865. In comparison, the salary range for Hardware R&D Engineering Managers is between $159,190 and $186,090, with a mid-salary of $171,390.

3. What is the highest paying manager position?

One of the highest paying management positions is the Hardware R&D Engineering Manager, with a salary range from $159,190 to $186,090, and a mid-salary of $171,390. This role is critical in overseeing research and development in hardware technologies, reflecting the high demand for skilled professionals in this field.

4. How much do engineering managers make in the US?

How Much Does a Hardware R&D Engineering Manager Make in the US? The average salary for a Hardware R&D Engineering Manager in the US ranges from $159,190 to $186,090, with a mid-salary of $171,390. Additional cash compensation may vary, contributing to a competitive total compensation package.

5. Do engineering managers make more than engineers?

Yes, engineering managers typically earn more than engineers. For instance, while engineers average around $79,840 annually, Hardware R&D Engineering Managers have a salary range from $159,190 to $186,090, with a midpoint of $171,390. This significant difference reflects the added responsibilities and expertise required for managerial roles.

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

The estimated total pay for a Senior Hardware Engineer in the US ranges from $159,190 to $186,090 per year, with a mid-salary of $171,390. These figures reflect the salary range for Hardware R&D Engineering Managers, providing a benchmark for senior hardware engineering roles.

7. What is the salary of hardware engineer in Apple?

The salary for a Hardware R&D Engineering Manager at Apple ranges from $159,190 to $186,090, with a midpoint of $171,390. This data reflects the compensation for professionals in this role, providing a clear overview of potential earnings based on experience and expertise in the field.

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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