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Industrial Research Engineer II Salary in the United States

How much does an Industrial Research Engineer II make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Industrial Research Engineer II in the United States is $95,800 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.

However, an Industrial Research Engineer II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $110,701
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $87,900 to $103,600
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $80,707

Key Factors That Influence Industrial Research Engineer II Salaries

An Industrial Research Engineer II'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 Industrial Research Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Industrial Research Engineer II'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:

  • Entry Industrial Engineer (0-2 years): $77,604
  • Industrial Research Engineer II (2-4 years): $95,734
  • Industrial Research Engineer III (4-7 years): $112,143
  • Industrial Research Engineer IV (7+ years): $125,330
  • Expert Industrial Engineer (7-10 years): $153,701
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Industrial Engineer0-2 years$77,604
Industrial Research Engineer II2-4 years$95,734
Industrial Research Engineer III4-7 years$112,143
Industrial Research Engineer IV7+ years$125,330
Expert Industrial Engineer7-10 years$153,701

Top Paying Cities for Industrial Research Engineer IIs

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: $120,800
  • San Francisco: $119,500
  • Oakland: $117,000

What Skills Can Increase an Industrial Research Engineer II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.84% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Material Handling (Mentioned in 2.07% Job Postings): Material handling involves short-distance movement within the confines of a building or between a building and a transportation vehicle. It uses a wide range of manual, semi-automated, and automated equipment and includes consideration of the protection, storage, and control of materials throughout their manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, consumption, and disposal. Material handling can be used to create time and place utility through the handling, storage, and control of material, as distinct from manufacturing, which creates form utility by changing the shape, form, and makeup of material.
  • Project Engineering (Mentioned in 1.16% Job Postings): Project engineering includes all parts of the design of manufacturing or processing facilities, either new or modifications to and expansions of existing facilities. A "project" consists of a coordinated series of activities or tasks performed by engineers, designers, drafters and others from one or more engineering disciplines or departments. Project tasks consist of such things as performing calculations, writing specifications, preparing bids, reviewing equipment proposals and evaluating or selecting equipment and preparing various lists, such as equipment and materials lists, and creating drawings such as electrical, piping and instrumentation diagrams, physical layouts and other drawings used in design and construction. A small project may be under the direction of a project engineer. Large projects are typically under the direction of a project manager or management team. Some facilities have in house staff to handle small projects, while some major companies have a department that does internal project engineering. Large projects are typically contracted out to engineering companies. Staffing at engineering companies varies according to the work load and duration of employment may only last until an individual's tasks are completed.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.84%
Material Handling 2.07%
Project Engineering 1.16%

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 an Industrial Research Engineer II's salary.

  • AWS: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Sustainability: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
AWS $114,002
19%
Sustainability $112,086
17%
Collaboration $110,170
15%

Industrial Research Engineer II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Industrial Research Engineer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $106,951. While startup companies pay approximate $90,560.

Industrial Research Engineer II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $90,560
Growth Stage 51~500 $95,756
Established 501~5000 $103,269
Enterprise 5000+ $106,951

Industrial Research Engineer II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Industrial Research Engineer II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Industrial Research Engineer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Industrial Research Engineer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Industrial Research Engineer II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$119,750$58.025%
Pharmaceuticals$114,960$55.020%
Internet$110,170$53.015%
Software & Networking$110,170$53.015%
Energy & Utilities$105,380$51.010%

How Education impacts an Industrial Research Engineer II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Industrial Research Engineer IIs 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 an Industrial Research Engineer II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $88,554 and $93,488).

Industrial Research Engineer II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Industrial Research Engineer II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 0.6%
Associates 1.7%
Bachelors 50.6%
Masters 44.5%
Doctorate 2.6%

Industrial Research Engineer II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Industrial Research Engineer II'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 October 01, 2026
$87,900
Average $95,800/year
$103,600
$7,325
Average $7,983/month
$8,633
$1,690
Average $1,842/week
$1,992
$42
Average $46/hour
$50
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $103,600 $8,633 $1,992 $50
Average $95,800 $7,983 $1,842 $46
25th Percentile $87,900 $7,325 $1,690 $42

Industrial Research Engineer II Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Industrial Research Engineer II, 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.

Industrial Research Engineer II Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Commissioning & Start-up Engineer III $107,000 12%
Industrial Research Engineer III $112,200 17%

Most common benefits for Industrial Research Engineer II

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

Common company salaries for Industrial Research Engineer II

Here are companies hiring for Industrial Research Engineer II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Industrial Research Engineer II

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Industrial Research Engineer II?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Industrial Research Engineer II roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

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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