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 March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Staff Research and Development Engineer in the United States is $115,685 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): $134,631
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $106,985 to $125,602
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $99,064
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View as table View as graph 25% $106,985 10% $99,064 90% $134,631 75% $125,602 $115,685 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Staff Research and Development Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $125,602 $10,467 $2,415 $60
Average $115,685 $9,640 $2,225 $56
25th Percentile $106,985 $8,915 $2,057 $51
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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): $112,081
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $112,342
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $113,388
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $117,872
  • Expert (over 8 years): $120,060
Levels Salary
Entry Level Staff Research and Development Engineer$112,081
Intermediate Level Staff Research and Development Engineer$112,342
Senior Level Staff Research and Development Engineer$113,388
Specialist Level Staff Research and Development Engineer$117,872
Expert Level Staff Research and Development Engineer$120,060
$112,081 0 yr
$112,342 < 2 yrs
$113,388 2-4 yrs
$117,872 5-8 yrs
$120,060 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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: $128,086.
  • California: $127,601.
  • Massachusetts: $125,900.

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: $145,913
  • San Francisco: $144,479
  • Oakland: $141,275

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.
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 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
 $126,097
9%
Computer Vision
 $123,783
7%
Artificial Intelligence
 $122,626
6%
Machine Learning
 $122,626
6%
Computer Science
 $120,312
4%
Algorithms
 $120,312
4%
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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%
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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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on March 01, 2026
$106,985
Average $115,685/year
$125,602
$8,915
Average $9,640/month
$10,467
$2,057
Average $2,225/week
$2,415
$51
Average $56/hour
$60
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $125,602 $10,467 $2,415 $60
Average $115,685 $9,640 $2,225 $56
25th Percentile $106,985 $8,915 $2,057 $51

Salaries of jobs related to Staff Research and Development Engineer

Salary Trends for Staff Research and Development Engineer

Salaries for a Staff Research and Development Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $118,208 in 2023 to around $116,941 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Staff Research and Development Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Staff Research and Development Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$118,208
2024
$118,605
2025
$116,941
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $118,208
2024 $118,605
2025 $116,941
2026
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2027
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Most common benefits for Staff Research and Development Engineer

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Disability
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Time Off (days)
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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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