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

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer in Washington, CA is $119,870 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.

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): $139,337
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $110,840 to $130,060
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $102,619
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View as table View as graph 25% $110,840 10% $102,619 90% $139,337 75% $130,060 $119,870 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 $130,060 $10,838 $2,501 $63
Average $119,870 $9,989 $2,305 $58
25th Percentile $110,840 $9,237 $2,132 $53
Check out Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer Job Openings in Washington, CA
Field Technician Monitoring

Nihon Kohden North America, Inc. - Washington, CA

Online Survey Taker Earn up per survey

Earn Haus - Washington, CA

Research Engineer

GE Vernova - NORTH CAMBRIDGE, MA

Research Engineer

GE Vernova - UPPER UNION, NY

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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, skills, 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): $116,910
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $117,179
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $118,258
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $122,914
  • Expert (over 8 years): $125,193
Levels Salary
Entry Level Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer$116,910
Intermediate Level Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer$117,179
Senior Level Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer$118,258
Specialist Level Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer$122,914
Expert Level Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer$125,193
$116,910 0 yr
$117,179 < 2 yrs
$118,258 2-4 yrs
$122,914 5-8 yrs
$125,193 > 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:

  • San Jose: $147,490
  • San Francisco: $145,880
  • Oakland: $142,800

What Skills Can Increase a Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.08% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Computer Vision (Mentioned in 2.84% Job Postings): Designing and utilizing digital systems process, analyze, and interpret visual data.
  • Deep Learning (Mentioned in 2.06% Job Postings): Analyzing, developing, and applying big data and algorithms to imitate how humans think and learn.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.08%
Computer Vision 2.84%
Deep Learning 2.06%
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 Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer's salary.
  • Deep Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Computer Vision: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Artificial Intelligence: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Deep Learning
 $130,658
9%
Computer Vision
 $128,261
7%
Artificial Intelligence
 $127,062
6%
Machine Learning
 $127,062
6%
Computer Science
 $124,665
4%
Algorithms
 $124,665
4%
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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 $134,188. While startup companies pay approximate $113,520.

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

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$113,520
Growth Stage51~500$120,060
Established501~5000$129,582
Enterprise5000+$134,188

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$179,805$86.050%

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
$110,840
Average $119,870/year
$130,060
$9,237
Average $9,989/month
$10,838
$2,132
Average $2,305/week
$2,501
$53
Average $58/hour
$63
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $130,060 $10,838 $2,501 $63
Average $119,870 $9,989 $2,305 $58
25th Percentile $110,840 $9,237 $2,132 $53

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 $138,100 15%
R & D Support Associate IV $134,700 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

  • GE Vernova

    UPPER UNION, NY

    Research Engineer

    GE Vernova | UPPER UNION, NY

    As a Research Engineer in GE Vernova’s R&D organization, you will design, model, and test innovative technologies for low‑carbon power generation, grid mod... more

    7 Days Ago

  • GE Vernova

    UPPER UNION, NY

    Electronics Research Engineer

    GE Vernova | UPPER UNION, NY

    GE Vernova seeks a Power Electronics Research Engineer to develop next‑generation converter and inverter technologies for renewable, grid, and electrificat... more

    7 Days Ago

  • GE Vernova

    UPPER UNION, NY

    Electronics Research Engineer

    GE Vernova | UPPER UNION, NY

    GE Vernova’s Research & Development (R&D) team is hiring an Electronics Research Engineer to design, prototype, and test next‑generation power electronics ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Satellite Industries

    SPRING PARK, MN

    Research and Development Technician

    Satellite Industries | SPRING PARK, MN

    Satellite Industries is seeking a hands-on Research and Development Technician to support design, testing, and improvement of portable sanitation products.... more

    16 Days Ago

  • Satellite Industries

    MAPLE GROVE, MN

    Research and Development Technician

    Satellite Industries | MAPLE GROVE, MN

    Satellite Industries is seeking a hands-on Research and Development Technician to support design, testing, and improvement of portable sanitation products.... more

    16 Days Ago

  • Satellite Industries

    BURNSVILLE, MN

    Research and Development Technician

    Satellite Industries | BURNSVILLE, MN

    Satellite Industries is seeking a hands-on Research and Development Technician to support design, testing, and improvement of portable sanitation products.... more

    16 Days Ago

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Cost of Living In Washington, CA

Cost of Living in Washington, CA is
41.5% Higher
than the National Average

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