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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Packaging R&D Engineer II in California is $97,593 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.
However, a Packaging R&D Engineer II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Packaging R&D Engineer II Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $103,373 | $8,614 | $1,988 | $50 |
| Average | $97,593 | $8,133 | $1,877 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,233 | $7,436 | $1,716 | $43 |
John Paul Mitchell Systems - Santa Clarita, CA
Destiny Packaging Inc. - Salinas, CA
Divergent - Long Beach, CA
Divergent - Los Angeles, CA
A Packaging R&D 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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Packaging R&D 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Packaging Engineer | 0-2 years | $85,581 |
| Packaging R&D Engineer II | 2-4 years | $97,579 |
| Packaging Development Engineer III | 4-7 years | $115,919 |
| Packaging Development Engineer IV | 7+ years | $142,870 |
| Lead Packaging Engineer | 7-10 years | $179,203 |
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 Packaging R&D Engineer IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Packaging R&D Engineer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $109,250. While startup companies pay approximate $92,423.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $92,423 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $97,748 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $105,500 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $109,250 |
For Packaging R&D Engineer II 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 Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Packaging R&D Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Packaging R&D Engineer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $112,232 | $54.0 | 15% |
| Financial Services | $112,232 | $54.0 | 15% |
| Software & Networking | $112,232 | $54.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $107,352 | $52.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $107,352 | $52.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Packaging R&D 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $103,373 | $8,614 | $1,988 | $50 |
| Average | $97,593 | $8,133 | $1,877 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,233 | $7,436 | $1,716 | $43 |
For a Packaging R&D Engineer II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Packaging Development Engineer III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $116,000 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Packaging R&D Engineer II job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Exploding Kittens
Los Angeles, CA
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Irvine, CA
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Campbell, CA
Imperative Care | Campbell, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Title: Sr Packaging Engineer. Location. This position is based in our Campbell, California offices. This position is ... more
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Camarillo, CA
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