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How much does a RF Engineer IV make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a RF Engineer IV in the United States is $143,800 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $69.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $159,084
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $132,800 to $151,800
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $122,785

Key Factors That Influence RF Engineer IV Salaries

A RF 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 RF Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a RF 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): $99,498
  • RF Engineer III (4-7 years): $123,636
  • RF Engineer IV (7+ years): $143,785
  • RF Engineer V (7-10 years): $177,650
  • Radio Frequency Design Engineer VI (10-12 years): $209,586
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
RF Engineer II2-4 years$99,498
RF Engineer III4-7 years$123,636
RF Engineer IV7+ years$143,785
RF Engineer V7-10 years$177,650
Radio Frequency Design Engineer VI10-12 years$209,586

Top Paying Cities for RF 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: $181,400
  • San Francisco: $179,400
  • Oakland: $175,600

What Skills Can Increase a RF 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%

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 RF 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 $162,494
13%
Networking $159,618
11%
MATLAB $158,180
10%

RF Engineer IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

RF Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $161,791. While startup companies pay approximate $137,060.

RF Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $137,060
Growth Stage 51~500 $144,905
Established 501~5000 $156,244
Enterprise 5000+ $161,791

RF Engineer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For RF 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, RF Engineer positions in Telecom or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view RF Engineer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a RF Engineer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$186,940$90.030%
Energy & Utilities$172,560$83.020%
Software & Networking$165,370$80.015%
Aerospace & Defense$158,180$76.010%
Biotechnology$158,180$76.010%

RF Engineer IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a RF 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 October 01, 2026
$132,800
Average $143,800/year
$151,800
$11,067
Average $11,983/month
$12,650
$2,554
Average $2,765/week
$2,919
$64
Average $69/hour
$73
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $151,800 $12,650 $2,919 $73
Average $143,800 $11,983 $2,765 $69
25th Percentile $132,800 $11,067 $2,554 $64

RF Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a RF 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.

RF Engineer IV Salary Growth and Career Path
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 RF Engineer IV

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

Common company salaries for RF Engineer IV

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

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FAQ about RF Engineer IV

1. What industry pays the highest salary for RF Engineer IV?

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

2. Which US engineer has highest salary?

The highest-paying engineering role is that of an RF Engineer, with a salary range from $148,500 to $171,600. The median salary for RF Engineers is approximately $160,700, surpassing many other engineering disciplines, making it a lucrative career choice in the engineering field.

3. What is L4 income?

As of January 22, 2025, the average annual pay for an L4 RF Engineer in the United States ranges from $148,500 to $171,600, with a mid-salary of $160,700. This reflects the competitive compensation for skilled professionals in the RF engineering field.

4. What is the salary of Rf Engineer in Qualcomm?

The salary for an RF Engineer at Qualcomm ranges from ₹ 11,00,000 to ₹ 14,00,000, with a midpoint of approximately ₹ 13,00,000. This reflects a competitive compensation package, significantly above the national average, based on data collected from various sources over the past 36 months.

5. Is there a shortage of RF Engineers?

Yes, there is a shortage of RF Engineers. The U.S. is expected to need 5,100 broadcast engineers in the next decade, driven by the retirement of 6,200 professionals. This gap highlights the demand for RF expertise, with salaries ranging from $148,500 to $171,600, reflecting the critical need for skilled engineers in this field.

6. What is the highest salary for Rf Engineer?

The highest salary for an RF Engineer is ₹17.16 lakhs per year, with a minimum salary of ₹14.85 lakhs and a mid-range salary of ₹16.07 lakhs. This data reflects the earnings of RF Engineers, indicating that the top earners in this field can achieve significant compensation.

7. Who is the highest paid RF?

The highest-paid RF Engineer can expect a salary ranging from $148,500 to $171,600, with a mid-salary of $160,700. This reflects the competitive compensation in the field, highlighting the value of expertise and experience in RF engineering.

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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