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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 April 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): $181,066
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $151,090 to $172,690
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $139,800
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View as table View as graph 25% $151,090 10% $139,800 90% $181,066 75% $172,690 $163,490 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Hardware R&D Engineering Manager Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $172,690 $14,391 $3,321 $83
Average $163,490 $13,624 $3,144 $79
25th Percentile $151,090 $12,591 $2,906 $73
Check out Hardware R&D Engineering Manager Job Openings in the United States
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Lead Software Engineering

L3Harris Technologies - Mason, OH

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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): $195,826
  • Hardware Design Engineering Supervisor (12+ years): $127,824
  • Hardware R&D Engineering Manager (12+ years): $163,437
  • Hardware Design Engineering Senior Manager (12+ years): $192,387
  • Hardware Design Engineering Director (12+ years): $236,547
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Hardware Development Engineer VI10-12 years$195,826
Hardware Design Engineering Supervisor12+ years$127,824
Hardware R&D Engineering Manager12+ years$163,437
Hardware Design Engineering Senior Manager12+ years$192,387
Hardware Design Engineering Director12+ years$236,547
$195,826 Hardware ...
$127,824 Hardware ...
$163,437 Hardware ...
$192,387 Hardware ...
$236,547 Hardware ...
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What Am I Worth?

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: $204,190
  • Oakland: $199,590

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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 13.24%
Career Development 2.45%
Hardware Design 1.96%
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%
Product Lifecycle Management
$186,379
14%
Competitive Environment
$184,744
13%
Information Security
$183,109
12%
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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%
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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 April 01, 2026

Hardware R&D Engineering Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

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 $192,400 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Hardware R&D Engineering Manager

Salaries for a Hardware R&D Engineering Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $163,659 in 2023 to around $161,528 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Hardware R&D Engineering Manager salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Hardware R&D Engineering Manager Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$163,659
2024
$163,385
2025
$161,528
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $163,659
2024 $163,385
2025 $161,528
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Hardware R&D Engineering Manager

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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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