As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Industrial Research Engineer I in the United States is $77,610 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.
However, an Industrial Research Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
Smart Recruiting
An Industrial Research Engineer I'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.
Experience is a primary driver of an Industrial Research Engineer I'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Research Engineer I | 0-2 years | $77,610 |
| Industrial Research Engineer II | 2-4 years | $95,727 |
| Industrial Research Engineer III | 4-7 years | $112,131 |
| Industrial Research Engineer IV | 7+ years | $125,327 |
| Expert Industrial Engineer | 7-10 years | $147,599 |
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 Industrial Research Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 5.85% |
| Linux | 1.95% |
| Supply Chain | 1.62% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Azure
|
$86,147 |
11%
|
|
DevOps
|
$85,371 |
10%
|
|
Agile
|
$84,595 |
9%
|
|
Test Automation
|
$83,043 |
7%
|
|
Consulting
|
$82,267 |
6%
|
|
Python
|
$81,491 |
5%
|
Industrial Research Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $86,880. While startup companies pay approximate $73,498.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $73,498 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $77,733 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $83,898 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $86,880 |
For Industrial Research Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Industrial Research Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Industrial Research Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $116,415 | $56.0 | 50% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Industrial Research Engineer Is enter the field with a Associate'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 an Industrial Research Engineer I with a Associate's Degree is between $73,843 and $77,911).
Industrial Research Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.6% |
| High School | 0.6% |
| Associates | 1.6% |
| Bachelors | 65.8% |
| Masters | 28.7% |
| Doctorate | 2.7% |
Understanding how an Industrial Research Engineer I'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, 2026Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Industrial Research Engineer I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Commissioning & Start-up Engineer II | $95,400 | 23% |
| Industrial Research Engineer II | $95,800 | 23% |
Salaries for an Industrial Research Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $71,502 in 2023 to around $71,004 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Industrial Research Engineer I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $71,502 |
| 2024 | $71,291 |
| 2025 | $71,004 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Industrial Research Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Industrial Research Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Industrial Research Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.
While many professions in the USA offer high salaries, Industrial Research Engineers earn between $72,030 and $86,020, with a median salary of $79,100. Other high-paying roles include Corporate Executives, Dentists, and IT Managers, but Industrial Research Engineers are among the top earners in the engineering field.
The highest-paid engineers in the USA are typically found in fields like Computer Engineering, with an average salary of USD 140,830, followed by IT Engineering at USD 132,930. In contrast, an Industrial Research Engineer has a salary range from USD 72,030 to USD 86,020, with a mid-salary of USD 79,100.
Engineers typically do not make $200,000 a year, as the salary data for an Industrial Research Engineer shows a range from $72,030 to $86,020, with a mid-salary of $79,100. While some specialized roles or senior positions may reach higher salaries, the majority of Industrial Research Engineers earn significantly less than $200,000 annually.
The highest salary that an R&D Engineer can earn is $86,020 per year. This reflects the upper range of the salary data for Industrial Research Engineers, indicating strong earning potential in this field.
Engineers typically making around $300,000 a year are often in high-level positions such as Senior Engineering Director, VP of Systems Engineering, or Director of Software Engineering. However, for roles like Industrial Research Engineer, salaries range from $72,030 to $86,020, with a midpoint of $79,100, indicating that higher earnings are generally associated with more senior roles or specialized fields.
As of now, the salary range for an Industrial Research Engineer in the United States is between $72,030 and $86,020 annually, with a median salary of $79,100. This translates to approximately $34.63 to $41.29 per hour, or $1,385 to $1,654 per week.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
