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Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer Salary in Washington

How much does a Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer make in Washington?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer in Washington is $126,790 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.

However, a Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $147,385
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $117,250 to $137,570
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $108,564
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View as table View as graph 25% $117,250 10% $108,564 90% $147,385 75% $137,570 $126,790 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $137,570 $11,464 $2,646 $66
Average $126,790 $10,566 $2,438 $61
25th Percentile $117,250 $9,771 $2,255 $56
Check out Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer Job Openings in Washington
Sr Software Development Engineer

iSpot - Bellevue, WA

Senior Product Development Engineer

VAUPELL INDUSTRIAL - Everett, WA

Senior Network Development Engineer

Oracle - Seattle, WA

Senior Software Development Engineer

Replenium - Seattle, WA

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Key Factors That Influence Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer Salaries

A Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer'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 Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer'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-Level (less than 1 year): $123,661
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $123,946
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $125,087
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $130,012
  • Expert (over 8 years): $132,423
Levels Salary
Entry Level Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer$123,661
Intermediate Level Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer$123,946
Senior Level Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer$125,087
Specialist Level Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer$130,012
Expert Level Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer$132,423
$123,661 0 yr
$123,946 < 2 yrs
$125,087 2-4 yrs
$130,012 5-8 yrs
$132,423 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineers

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:

  • Auburn: $126,640
  • Federal Way: $126,580
  • Bellevue: $129,180

Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $141,934. While startup companies pay approximate $120,073.

Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$120,073
Growth Stage51~500$126,991
Established501~5000$137,063
Enterprise5000+$141,934

Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer positions in Telecom or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$190,185$91.050%

Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer'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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$117,250
Average $126,790/year
$137,570
$9,771
Average $10,566/month
$11,464
$2,255
Average $2,438/week
$2,646
$56
Average $61/hour
$66
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $137,570 $11,464 $2,646 $66
Average $126,790 $10,566 $2,438 $61
25th Percentile $117,250 $9,771 $2,255 $56

Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer
Human Factors Engineer IV
R & D Support Associate IV
Human Factors Engineer V
SVP of R & D

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer, 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.

Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Human Factors Engineer IV $146,100 15%
R & D Support Associate IV $142,500 12%

Salaries of jobs related to Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer

Find Your Next Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States

  • Boeing

    Seattle, WA

    Senior software development engineer

    Boeing | Seattle, WA

    Job Description At Boeing, we innovate and collaborate to make the world a better place. We're committed to fostering an environment for every teammate tha... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Adobe

    Seattle, WA

    Senior Software Development Engineer

    Adobe | Seattle, WA

    The OpportunityAre you enthusiastic about solving meaningful problems at scale. Are you eager to build cloud-native systems that operate perfectly across d... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Amazon Kuiper Manufacturing Enterprises LLC

    Redmond, WA

    Senior RF Test Systems Development Engineer Avionics Verification and Test Amazon Leo

    Amazon Kuiper Manufacturing Enterprises LLC | Redmond, WA

    Amazon Leo is Amazon's low Earth orbit satellite network.Our mission is to deliver fast, reliable internet connectivity to customers beyond the reach of ex... more

    6 Days Ago

  • GE Vernova

    NISKAYUNA, NY

    Research Engineer

    GE Vernova | NISKAYUNA, NY

    Job Description Summary As a Power Electronics Research Engineer in Vernova R&D organization, you will be involved in the development of new power electron... more

    2 Days Ago

  • GE Vernova

    NISKAYUNA, NY

    Research Engineer

    GE Vernova | NISKAYUNA, NY

    Job Description Summary As an FPGA Design Research Engineer, you will have the opportunity to architect and develop state-of-the-art embedded systems for r... more

    4 Days Ago

  • GE Vernova

    NISKAYUNA, NY

    Power Electronics Research Engineer

    GE Vernova | NISKAYUNA, NY

    Job Description Summary As a Power Electronics Research Engineer in Vernova R&D organization, you will be involved in the development of new power electron... more

    2 Days Ago

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Cost of Living In Washington

Cost of Living in Washington is
8.4% Higher
than the National Average

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