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Industrial Research Engineer I Salary in the United States

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

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for an Industrial Research Engineer I in the United States is $77,620 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:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $91,222
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $71,040 to $84,740
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,049
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View as table View as graph 25% $71,040 10% $65,049 90% $91,222 75% $84,740 $77,620 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Industrial Research Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $84,740 $7,062 $1,630 $41
Average $77,620 $6,468 $1,493 $37
25th Percentile $71,040 $5,920 $1,366 $34
Check out Industrial Research Engineer I Job Openings in the United States
Research And Development Engineer

LayerZero Power Systems - Aurora, OH

Automation Industrial Engineer

Insight Global - Dayton, OH

Industrial Hydraulics Application Engineer

Jobot - Springdale, OH

Senior Research Engineer

Sunstar Engineering Americas Inc - Springboro, OH

Search More Industrial Research Engineer I Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Industrial Research Engineer I Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Industrial Research Engineer Salaries?

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:

  • Industrial Research Engineer I (0-2 years): $77,619
  • Industrial Research Engineer II (2-4 years): $95,716
  • Industrial Research Engineer III (4-7 years): $112,113
  • Industrial Research Engineer IV (7+ years): $125,322
  • Expert Industrial Engineer (7-10 years): $147,613
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Industrial Research Engineer I0-2 years$77,619
Industrial Research Engineer II2-4 years$95,716
Industrial Research Engineer III4-7 years$112,113
Industrial Research Engineer IV7+ years$125,322
Expert Industrial Engineer7-10 years$147,613
$77,619 Industria...
$95,716 Industria...
$112,113 Industria...
$125,322 Industria...
$147,613 Expert In...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Industrial Research Engineer Is

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: $97,910
  • San Francisco: $96,830
  • Oakland: $94,790

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.85% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Linux (Mentioned in 1.95% Job Postings): Managing a system's hardware and resources using a Unix-like open-source operating system.
  • Supply Chain (Mentioned in 1.62% Job Postings): A supply chain encompasses everything from the delivery of source materials from the supplier to the manufacturer through to its eventual delivery to the end user.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.85%
Linux 1.95%
Supply Chain 1.62%
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 I's salary.
  • Azure: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • DevOps: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Agile: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Azure
$86,158
11%
DevOps
$85,382
10%
Agile
$84,606
9%
Test Automation
$83,053
7%
Consulting
$82,277
6%
Python
$81,501
5%
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How Education impacts an Industrial Research Engineer I's Salary?

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

Typical Education for Industrial Research Engineer I
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%
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Industrial Research Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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 May 01, 2026

Industrial Research Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions 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.

Industrial Research Engineer I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Commissioning & Start-up Engineer II $95,400 23%
Industrial Research Engineer II $95,800 23%

Salary Trends for Industrial Research Engineer I

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, .

Average Annual Salary of Industrial Research Engineer I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$71,502
2024
$71,291
2025
$71,004
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $71,502
2024 $71,291
2025 $71,004
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Industrial Research Engineer I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Industrial Research Engineer I

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

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FAQ about Industrial Research Engineer I

1. Which profession has highest salary in USA?

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.

2. Which engineer is the highest paid in the USA?

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.

3. What engineers make $200,000 a year?

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.

4. What is the highest salary of an R&D engineer?

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.

5. What engineers make $300,000 a year?

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.

6. What is the salary of a research engineer in the US?

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.

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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