Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Director Salary in Kentucky

How much does a Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Director make in Kentucky?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Director in Kentucky is $278,890 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $134.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $306,209
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $265,190 to $293,190
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $252,717
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View as table View as graph 25% $265,190 10% $252,717 90% $306,209 75% $293,190 $278,890 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Director Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $293,190 $24,433 $5,638 $141
Average $278,890 $23,241 $5,363 $134
25th Percentile $265,190 $22,099 $5,100 $127
Check out Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Director Job Openings in Kentucky
Sr Director Software Engineering

Pace Industries, LLC - Louisville, KY

Sr Director Engineering Systems

Oracle - Frankfort, KY

Senior Director Global Engineering Systems

Oracle - Frankfort, KY

Engineering Director

ITW - Frankfort, KY

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Key Factors That Influence Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Director Salaries

A Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Director'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.

How Experience Level Affects Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Director'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 Engineering Supervisor (12+ years): $120,264
  • Hardware Design Engineering Manager (12+ years): $153,804
  • Hardware Design Engineering Senior Manager (12+ years): $181,082
  • Hardware Design Engineering Director (12+ years): $222,722
  • Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Director (12+ years): $278,804
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Hardware Design Engineering Supervisor12+ years$120,264
Hardware Design Engineering Manager12+ years$153,804
Hardware Design Engineering Senior Manager12+ years$181,082
Hardware Design Engineering Director12+ years$222,722
Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Director12+ years$278,804
$120,264 Hardware ...
$153,804 Hardware ...
$181,082 Hardware ...
$222,722 Hardware ...
$278,804 Hardware ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Directors

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:

  • Graham: $269,190
  • Greenville: $268,290
  • Hartford: $269,690

Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $312,201. While startup companies pay approximate $264,115.

Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$264,115
Growth Stage51~500$279,333
Established501~5000$301,486
Enterprise5000+$312,201

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

For Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Director positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$306,779$147.010%
Biotechnology$306,779$147.010%
Energy & Utilities$306,779$147.010%
Financial Services$306,779$147.010%
Healthcare$306,779$147.010%

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

Understanding how a Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Director'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

Find Your Next Hardware R&D Engineering Senior Director Job

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

United States
  • Holley Performance Products

    Bowling Green, KY

    Holley Performance Products | Bowling Green, KY

    Reports ToSenior Engineering Manager - HardwareAbout Holley Performance BrandsFor over a century, Holley Performance Brands has been at the forefront of au... more

    8 Days Ago

  • LER TechForce LLC

    Bowling Green, KY

    LER TechForce LLC | Bowling Green, KY

    Engineering Manager - Electronics HardwareAre you looking to work for a company that provides an innovative work environment where your voice is heard. LER... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Pittsburg Tank & Tower Group

    Henderson, KY

    Pittsburg Tank & Tower Group | Henderson, KY

    DescriptionPittsburg Tank & Tower GroupJob DescriptionDirector of Engineering and DraftingSupports: All Operating DivisionsJob SummaryThe Director of Engin... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Pace Industries, LLC

    Louisville, KY

    Pace Industries, LLC | Louisville, KY

    Pace Industries, LLC in Louisville, Kentucky is seeking a Sr. Director of Software Engineering who will lead components of a software engineering division.... more

    6 Days Ago

  • V2X

    Lexington, KY

    V2X | Lexington, KY

    Director of Engineering - SOF GLSS 2 ProgramThe Director of Engineering is responsible for the technical leadership, strategic direction, and oversight of ... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Norton Healthcare

    Louisville, KY

    Norton Healthcare | Louisville, KY

    ResponsibilitiesThe Director, Engineering will organize, manage, and direct the daily operations of our healthcare campuses including work requests and pro... more

    8 Days Ago

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