Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV Salary in the United States

How much does a Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV in the United States is $143,803 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $69.

However, a Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $158,991
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $132,733 to $151,753
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $122,654
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV Salaries

A Radio Frequency Design 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Radio Frequency Design Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Radio Frequency Design 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:

  • RF Engineer II (2-4 years): $99,499
  • RF Engineer III (4-7 years): $120,758
  • Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV (7+ years): $143,785
  • RF Engineer V (7-10 years): $177,645
  • Radio Frequency Design Engineer VI (10-12 years): $209,580
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
RF Engineer II2-4 years$99,499
RF Engineer III4-7 years$120,758
Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV7+ years$143,785
RF Engineer V7-10 years$177,645
Radio Frequency Design Engineer VI10-12 years$209,580
View as Graph

How Do Radio Frequency Design 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 Radio Frequency Design Engineer IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $159,213.
  • California: $158,613.
  • Massachusetts: $156,503.

Top Paying Cities for Radio Frequency Design 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: $181,373
  • San Francisco: $179,393
  • Oakland: $175,613

What Skills Can Increase a Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 18.81% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Test Plans (Mentioned in 2.62% Job Postings): A test plan is a document detailing the objectives, resources, and processes for a specific test for a software or hardware product. The plan typically contains a detailed understanding of the eventual workflow.
  • SQL (Mentioned in 1.9% Job Postings): Structured Query Language) is a domain-specific language used in programming and designed for managing data held in a relational database management system (RDBMS), or for stream processing in a relational data stream management system (RDSMS).
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 18.81%
Test Plans 2.62%
SQL 1.9%
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 Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV's salary.

  • Wireless Network: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Networking: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • MATLAB: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Wireless Network $162,497
13%
Networking $159,621
11%
MATLAB $158,183
10%
Get Latest Data

Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $161,940. While startup companies pay approximate $137,048.

Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $137,048
Growth Stage 51~500 $144,924
Established 501~5000 $156,396
Enterprise 5000+ $161,940

Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Radio Frequency Design Engineer positions in Telecom or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$186,944$90.030%
Energy & Utilities$172,564$83.020%
Software & Networking$165,373$80.015%
Aerospace & Defense$158,183$76.010%
Biotechnology$158,183$76.010%

Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Radio Frequency Design 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
$132,733
Average $143,803/year
$151,753
$11,061
Average $11,984/month
$12,646
$2,553
Average $2,765/week
$2,918
$64
Average $69/hour
$73
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $151,753 $12,646 $2,918 $73
Average $143,803 $11,984 $2,765 $69
25th Percentile $132,733 $11,061 $2,553 $64

Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV, 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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Digital Signal Processing Engineer V $191,100 33%
EE V $166,800 16%
Electronics Design Engineer V $169,300 18%
RF Engineer V $177,663 24%

Most common benefits for Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV

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

Common company salaries for Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV

Here are companies hiring for Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Radio Frequency Design Engineer IV roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job