Staff Research and Development Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Staff Research and Development Engineer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Staff Research and Development Engineer in the United States is $115,726 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $134,672
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $107,125 to $125,643
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $99,294

Key Factors That Influence Staff Research and Development Engineer Salaries

A Staff 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.

How Experience Level Affects Staff Research and Development Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Staff 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): $112,158
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $112,416
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $113,448
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $117,914
  • Expert (over 8 years): $120,101
Levels Salary
Entry Level Staff Research and Development Engineer$112,158
Intermediate Level Staff Research and Development Engineer$112,416
Senior Level Staff Research and Development Engineer$113,448
Specialist Level Staff Research and Development Engineer$117,914
Expert Level Staff Research and Development Engineer$120,101

How Do Staff Research and Development Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Staff Research and Development Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $128,132.
  • California: $127,646.
  • Massachusetts: $125,945.

Top Paying Cities for Staff Research and Development 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: $145,965
  • San Francisco: $144,367
  • Oakland: $141,325

What Skills Can Increase a Staff 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 Staff 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 $126,141
9%
Computer Vision $123,827
7%
Artificial Intelligence $122,670
6%

Staff Research and Development Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industry for a Staff Research and Development Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$173,589$83.050%

How Education impacts a Staff Research and Development Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Staff Research and Development Engineers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Staff Research and Development Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $115,563 and $123,542).

Staff Research and Development Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Staff 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%

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

Understanding how a Staff 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 September 01, 2026
$107,125
Average $115,726/year
$125,643
$8,927
Average $9,644/month
$10,470
$2,060
Average $2,226/week
$2,416
$52
Average $56/hour
$60
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $125,643 $10,470 $2,416 $60
Average $115,726 $9,644 $2,226 $56
25th Percentile $107,125 $8,927 $2,060 $52

Most common benefits for Staff Research and Development Engineer

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

Common company salaries for Staff Research and Development Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Staff Research and Development Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Staff Research and Development Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Staff Research and Development Engineer?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Staff Research and Development Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

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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