As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Research and Development Engineer in the United States is $56, which translates to an annual salary of about $116,931.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
Research and Development Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $126,868 | $10,572 | $2,440 | $61 |
| Average | $116,931 | $9,744 | $2,249 | $56 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,126 | $9,011 | $2,079 | $52 |
A Research and Development 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Research and Development 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Research and Development Engineer | $114,040 |
| Intermediate Level Research and Development Engineer | $114,303 |
| Senior Level Research and Development Engineer | $115,354 |
| Specialist Level Research and Development Engineer | $119,897 |
| Expert Level Research and Development Engineer | $122,122 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 8.08% |
| Computer Vision | 2.84% |
| Deep Learning | 2.06% |
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 Research and Development Engineer's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Learning | $127,455 | |
| Computer Vision | $125,116 | |
| Artificial Intelligence | $123,947 |
Research and Development Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $130,898. While startup companies pay approximate $110,736.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $110,736 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $117,117 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $126,405 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $130,898 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Research and Development Engineer enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Research and Development Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $115,563 and $123,542.
| Typical Education for Research and Development Engineer | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 0.9% |
| High School | 14.7% |
| Associates | 0.9% |
| Bachelors | 14.7% |
| Masters | 25.7% |
| Doctorate | 58.7% |
Understanding how a Research and Development 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $126,868 | $10,572 | $2,440 | $61 |
| Average | $116,931 | $9,744 | $2,249 | $56 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,126 | $9,011 | $2,079 | $52 |
Salaries for a Research and Development Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $120,204 in 2023 to around $118,915 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Research and Development Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $120,204 |
| 2024 | $120,607 |
| 2025 | $118,915 |
| 2026 |
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| 2027 |
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Conducts research and development activities for an organization. Applies research theories, principles, and models when conducting experiments and research activities. Summarizes research results and communicates findings to internal and external bodies. Assesses the scope of research projects and ensures projects are on time and within budget. Develops technical documentation for all projects. May require an advanced degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
Computer Vision: Designing and utilizing digital systems process, analyze, and interpret visual data.
Deep Learning: Analyzing, developing, and applying big data and algorithms to imitate how humans think and learn.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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