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Packaging R&D Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Packaging R&D Engineer I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Packaging R&D Engineer I in the United States is $77,590 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, a Packaging R&D Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $87,906
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $70,390 to $82,990
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,835
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Packaging R&D Engineer I Salaries

A Packaging R&D 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 Packaging R&D Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Packaging R&D 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:

  • Packaging R&D Engineer I (0-2 years): $77,585
  • Intermediate Packaging Engineer (2-4 years): $88,463
  • Packaging Development Engineer III (4-7 years): $105,093
  • Packaging Development Engineer IV (7+ years): $129,537
  • Lead Packaging Engineer (7-10 years): $162,475
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Packaging R&D Engineer I0-2 years$77,585
Intermediate Packaging Engineer2-4 years$88,463
Packaging Development Engineer III4-7 years$105,093
Packaging Development Engineer IV7+ years$129,537
Lead Packaging Engineer7-10 years$162,475
View as Graph

How Do Packaging R&D Engineer I Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Packaging R&D Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $85,990.
  • California: $85,590.
  • Massachusetts: $84,490.

Top Paying Cities for Packaging R&D 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: $97,890
  • San Francisco: $96,790
  • Oakland: $94,790

What Skills Can Increase a Packaging R&D Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 2.57% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 1.31% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
  • Packaging Engineering (Mentioned in 0.83% Job Postings): Packaging engineering, also package engineering, packaging technology and packaging science, is a broad topic ranging from design conceptualization to product placement. All steps along the manufacturing process, and more, must be taken into account in the design of the package for any given product. Package engineering is an interdisciplinary field integrating science, engineering, technology and management to protect and identify products for distribution, storage, sale, and use. It encompasses the process of design, evaluation, and production of packages. It is a system integral to the value chain that impacts product quality, user satisfaction, distribution efficiencies, and safety. includes industry-specific aspects of industrial engineering, marketing, materials science, industrial design and logistics. Packaging engineers must interact with research and development, manufacturing, marketing, graphic design, regulatory, purchasing, planning and so on. The package must sell and protect the product, while maintaining an efficient, cost-effective process cycle.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 2.57%
SOP 1.31%
Packaging Engineering 0.83%
See More Skills

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 Packaging R&D Engineer I's salary.

  • Use Cases: Can increase your salary by up to 38%.
  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Continuous Quality Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Use Cases $107,074
38%
Written Communication $90,004
16%
Continuous Quality Improvement $88,453
14%
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Packaging R&D Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Packaging R&D Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $86,710. While startup companies pay approximate $73,348.

Packaging R&D Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $73,348
Growth Stage 51~500 $77,573
Established 501~5000 $83,730
Enterprise 5000+ $86,710

Packaging R&D Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Packaging R&D Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Packaging R&D Engineer positions in Chemicals or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Packaging R&D Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Packaging R&D Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$93,108$45.020%
Financial Services$89,228$43.015%
Insurance$89,228$43.015%
Aerospace & Defense$85,349$41.010%
Construction$85,349$41.010%

How Education impacts a Packaging R&D Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Packaging R&D Engineer Is enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Packaging R&D Engineer I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $70,171 and $74,245).

Packaging R&D Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Packaging R&D Engineer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.9%
High School 5.9%
Associates 7.6%
Bachelors 70.6%
Masters 12.6%
Doctorate 3.4%
View as Graph

Packaging R&D Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Packaging R&D 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 September 01, 2026
$70,390
Average $77,590/year
$82,990
$5,866
Average $6,466/month
$6,916
$1,354
Average $1,492/week
$1,596
$34
Average $37/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $82,990 $6,916 $1,596 $40
Average $77,590 $6,466 $1,492 $37
25th Percentile $70,390 $5,866 $1,354 $34

Packaging R&D Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Packaging R&D Engineer I

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Advancement

For a Packaging R&D Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Intermediate Packaging Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $88,500 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Packaging R&D Engineer I

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

Common company salaries for Packaging R&D Engineer I

Here are companies hiring for Packaging R&D Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Packaging R&D Engineer I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Packaging R&D Engineer I?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Packaging R&D Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. How much does a R&D engineer at Nvidia make?

The salary for a Packaging R&D Engineer typically ranges from $69,190 to $83,690 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. Entry-level positions may start closer to the minimum, while more experienced engineers can earn towards the maximum salary.

3. How much does a director in packaging engineering make?

The estimated salary for a Packaging R&D Engineer ranges from $69,190 to $83,690 per year, with a midpoint average of $76,190. These figures reflect the typical compensation for this role, providing a clear understanding of the salary expectations in the packaging engineering field.

4. What is the average salary of a R&D engineer in the US?

The average salary for a Packaging R&D Engineer in the US ranges from $69,190 to $83,690, with a mid-salary of $76,190. This data reflects the typical earnings for this role, providing a clear picture of the compensation landscape in the industry.

5. Is R&D engineer a good career?

A career as an R&D engineer is highly promising, especially with the growing demand from new-age companies. The salary range for Packaging R&D Engineers is competitive, with a minimum of $69,190, a mid-range of $76,190, and a maximum of $83,690. This attractive compensation reflects the critical role these engineers play in innovation and product development.

6. What is the starting salary for an engineer in the US?

The starting salary for a Packaging R&D Engineer in the US is approximately $69,190. The mid-range salary is around $76,190, while the maximum salary can reach up to $83,690. These figures reflect the competitive compensation within the engineering field, particularly in packaging research and development.

7. How much do R&D engineers make in USA?

R&D engineers in the USA typically earn between $69,190 and $83,690 annually, with a median salary of $76,190. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise within the field. While top earners can make significantly more, the average salary for R&D engineers is around $96,571, indicating a competitive market for skilled professionals.

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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