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Packaging R&D Engineer III Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Packaging R&D Engineer III in the United States is $105,090 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $125,532
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $95,490 to $115,790
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $86,750

Key Factors That Influence Packaging R&D Engineer III Salaries

A Packaging R&D Engineer III'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 III'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 Packaging Engineer (0-2 years): $77,585
  • Intermediate Packaging Engineer (2-4 years): $88,463
  • Packaging R&D 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
Entry Packaging Engineer0-2 years$77,585
Intermediate Packaging Engineer2-4 years$88,463
Packaging R&D Engineer III4-7 years$105,093
Packaging Development Engineer IV7+ years$129,537
Lead Packaging Engineer7-10 years$162,475

Top Paying Cities for Packaging R&D Engineer IIIs

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: $132,590
  • San Francisco: $131,190
  • Oakland: $128,390

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 2.52% 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 1.29% 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 0.84% 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 2.52%
SOP 1.29%
Packaging Engineering 0.84%

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 III's salary.

  • Use Cases: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Hard Working: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Use Cases $120,854
15%
Hard Working $111,395
6%
Accountability $109,294
4%

Packaging R&D Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Packaging R&D Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $117,442. While startup companies pay approximate $99,344.

Packaging R&D Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $99,344
Growth Stage 51~500 $105,067
Established 501~5000 $113,406
Enterprise 5000+ $117,442

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

For Packaging R&D Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 95% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Packaging R&D Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Packaging R&D Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

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

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$147,126$71.040%
Software & Networking$141,872$68.035%
Financial Services$136,617$66.030%
Internet$131,362$63.025%
Pharmaceuticals$126,108$61.020%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Packaging R&D Engineer IIIs 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 III with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $108,551 and $113,314).

Packaging R&D Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Packaging R&D Engineer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.1%
High School 4.1%
Associates 2.0%
Bachelors 63.3%
Masters 28.6%
Doctorate 2.0%

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

Understanding how a Packaging R&D Engineer III'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
$95,490
Average $105,090/year
$115,790
$7,958
Average $8,758/month
$9,649
$1,836
Average $2,021/week
$2,227
$46
Average $51/hour
$56
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $115,790 $9,649 $2,227 $56
Average $105,090 $8,758 $2,021 $51
25th Percentile $95,490 $7,958 $1,836 $46

Packaging R&D Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Packaging R&D Engineer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Packaging Development Engineer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $129,600 - a projected growth of 23% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Packaging R&D Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Packaging R&D Engineer III

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

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FAQ about Packaging R&D Engineer III

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

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Packaging R&D Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

2. Which engineering is highest paid in USA?

Among the highest-paying engineering jobs in the USA, Packaging R&D Engineers earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $105,790, a mid-range of $113,990, and a maximum of $123,890. Other top engineering roles include Biomedical, Environmental, and Petroleum Engineers, each offering substantial compensation based on expertise and industry demand.

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

The highest salary that a Packaging R&D Engineer can earn is $123,890 per year.

4. Does R&D include salary?

Yes, R&D salaries can be included as qualifying research expenses. For example, a Packaging R&D Engineer's salary ranges from $105,790 to $123,890, with a midpoint of $113,990. If an employee dedicates at least 80% of their time to qualified R&D activities, their entire salary may qualify as an expense.

5. What degree do you need to be a packaging engineer?

To become a packaging engineer, a bachelor's degree in packaging science, engineering, logistics, or food science is essential. Recommended high school courses include agricultural education, physics, computer courses, biology, and mathematics. The salary for a Packaging R&D Engineer typically ranges from $105,790 to $123,890, with a median salary of $113,990.

6. How much does a principal packaging engineer make?

A Principal Packaging Engineer typically earns between $105,790 and $123,890 annually, with a mid-salary of $113,990. While some cities like Mountain View, CA, offer salaries around $173,584, the general range for this role reflects the competitive nature of the industry.

7. How much does the head of R&D make in the US?

The salary for a Packaging R&D Engineer in the US ranges from $105,790 to $123,890, with a median salary of $113,990. In comparison, the head of R&D typically earns significantly more, with top earners making around $176,000 annually.

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.)

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