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Packaging R&D Engineer IV Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Packaging R&D Engineer IV in the United States is $129,590 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $156,336
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $117,590 to $143,590
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $106,665
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 IV Salaries

A Packaging R&D Engineer IV'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 IV'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:

  • Intermediate Packaging Engineer (2-4 years): $88,463
  • Packaging Development Engineer III (4-7 years): $105,093
  • Packaging R&D Engineer IV (7+ years): $129,537
  • Lead Packaging Engineer (7-10 years): $162,475
  • Packaging R&D Engineering Manager (10+ years): $138,676
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Intermediate Packaging Engineer2-4 years$88,463
Packaging Development Engineer III4-7 years$105,093
Packaging R&D Engineer IV7+ years$129,537
Lead Packaging Engineer7-10 years$162,475
Packaging R&D Engineering Manager10+ years$138,676
View as Graph

How Do Packaging R&D Engineer IV 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 IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $143,490.
  • California: $142,890.
  • Massachusetts: $140,990.

Top Paying Cities for Packaging R&D Engineer IVs

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: $163,390
  • San Francisco: $161,590
  • Oakland: $158,190

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 2.34% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • Product Development (Mentioned in 1.3% Job Postings): Overseeing the creation of new products or improvement of the performance, cost, or quality of existing products to achieve business goals.
  • Lean (Mentioned in 0.78% Job Postings): Lean manufacturing, or lean production, is a system of techniques and activities for running a manufacturing or service operation.
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 2.34%
Product Development 1.3%
Lean 0.78%
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 IV's salary.

  • AutoCAD: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Industrial Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Verification and Validation: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
AutoCAD $154,212
19%
Industrial Engineering $147,733
14%
Verification and Validation $145,141
12%
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Packaging R&D Engineer IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Packaging R&D Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $144,822. While startup companies pay approximate $122,505.

Packaging R&D Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $122,505
Growth Stage 51~500 $129,561
Established 501~5000 $139,844
Enterprise 5000+ $144,822

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

For Packaging R&D Engineer IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Packaging R&D Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Packaging R&D Engineer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

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

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$168,467$81.030%
Biotechnology$161,988$78.025%
Energy & Utilities$155,508$75.020%
Healthcare$149,028$72.015%
Aerospace & Defense$142,549$69.010%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Packaging R&D Engineer IVs 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 a Packaging R&D Engineer IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $135,139 and $140,887).

Packaging R&D Engineer IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Packaging R&D Engineer IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.8%
High School 2.8%
Associates 8.3%
Bachelors 47.2%
Masters 36.1%
Doctorate 5.6%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Packaging R&D Engineer IV'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
$117,590
Average $129,590/year
$143,590
$9,799
Average $10,799/month
$11,966
$2,261
Average $2,492/week
$2,761
$57
Average $62/hour
$69
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $143,590 $11,966 $2,761 $69
Average $129,590 $10,799 $2,492 $62
25th Percentile $117,590 $9,799 $2,261 $57

Packaging R&D Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Packaging R&D Engineer IV

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Advancement

For a Packaging R&D Engineer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Lead Packaging Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $162,480 - a projected growth of 25% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Packaging R&D Engineer IV

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

Common company salaries for Packaging R&D Engineer IV

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

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FAQ about Packaging R&D Engineer IV

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

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Packaging R&D Engineer IV roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. Which engineering has the highest package?

Packaging R&D Engineers earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $130,590, a mid-range salary of $140,990, and a maximum of $151,890. While petroleum engineers often lead in overall engineering salaries, the demand for skilled professionals in packaging R&D is also significant, reflecting the industry's growth and innovation.

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

The highest salary that a Packaging R&D Engineer can earn is $151,890 per year, which translates to approximately $12,657 per month.

4. How much does an R&D scientist earn in USA?

The salary for a Packaging R&D Engineer in the USA ranges from $130,590 to $151,890, with a mid-salary of $140,990. This reflects the competitive compensation in the field, highlighting the importance of expertise and experience in determining earnings.

5. Does R&D pay well?

R&D positions can offer competitive salaries. For a Packaging R&D Engineer, the salary ranges from a minimum of $130,590 to a maximum of $151,890, with a mid-salary of $140,990. This indicates that R&D roles, particularly in packaging, can provide substantial compensation compared to the average R&D engineer salary in the US.

6. Which country pays research scientists the most?

For the highest salary, Packaging R&D Engineers in the United States can earn between $130,590 and $151,890 annually, with a mid-salary of $140,990. This positions the U.S. as one of the top-paying countries for research scientists, surpassing many other nations in terms of compensation.

7. Which engineer is highest paid in USA?

The highest-paid engineering role in the USA is the Packaging R&D Engineer, with a salary range from $130,590 to $151,890. The average salary for this position is approximately $140,990. This places it among the top-paying engineering fields, surpassing many other engineering disciplines in terms of compensation.

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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