Research and Development Engineer Salary in Slagle, LA

How much does a Research and Development Engineer make in Slagle, LA?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research and Development Engineer in Slagle, LA is $104,318 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

However, a Research and Development Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $121,254
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $96,462 to $113,183
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $89,311

Key Factors That Influence Research and Development Engineer Salaries

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, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Research and Development Engineer Salaries?

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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $101,738
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $101,973
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $102,911
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $106,964
  • Expert (over 8 years): $108,949
Levels Salary
Entry Level Research and Development Engineer$101,738
Intermediate Level Research and Development Engineer$101,973
Senior Level Research and Development Engineer$102,911
Specialist Level Research and Development Engineer$106,964
Expert Level Research and Development Engineer$108,949

Top Paying Cities for Research and Development Engineer

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: $147,485
  • San Francisco: $145,870
  • Oakland: $142,796

What Skills Can Increase a Research and Development 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.
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 Research and Development 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 $113,706
9%
Computer Vision $111,620
7%
Artificial Intelligence $110,577
6%

Research and Development Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

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 $116,778. While startup companies pay approximate $98,791.

Research and Development Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $98,791
Growth Stage 51~500 $104,483
Established 501~5000 $112,769
Enterprise 5000+ $116,778

Research and Development Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Research and Development 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, Research and Development Engineer positions in Telecom or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research and Development Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Research and Development Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$175,396$84.050%

Research and Development Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$96,462
Average $104,318/year
$113,183
$8,039
Average $8,693/month
$9,432
$1,855
Average $2,006/week
$2,177
$46
Average $50/hour
$54
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $113,183 $9,432 $2,177 $54
Average $104,318 $8,693 $2,006 $50
25th Percentile $96,462 $8,039 $1,855 $46

Research and Development Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Research and Development 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.

Research and Development Engineer Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Human Factors Researcher IV $120,135 15%
Research and Development Associate IV $117,225 12%

Find Your Next Research and Development Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Research and Development Engineer 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

Cost of Living In Slagle, LA

Cost of Living in Slagle, LA is
-10.4% Lower
than the National Average

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.

Explore Cost of Living Calculator
Empower Your Team

Salary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.

Find Salary.com Comp Consulting
See Salary Trends in 2025

Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.

Price Your Company Jobs and Make Pay Fair

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.

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