Assistant Research and Development Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does an Assistant Research and Development Engineer make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Research and Development Engineer in the United States is $120,121 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $140,718
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $111,301 to $130,902
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $103,271
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View as table View as graph 25% $111,301 10% $103,271 90% $140,718 75% $130,902 $120,121 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Assistant Research and Development Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $130,902 $10,909 $2,517 $63
Average $120,121 $10,010 $2,310 $58
25th Percentile $111,301 $9,275 $2,140 $54
Check out Assistant Research and Development Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Research and Development Engineer

VTG - WASHINGTON, DC

Staff Research Development Engineer

Northrop Grumman - CHANTILLY, VA

Systems Engineer

KBR - CHANTILLY, VA

Engineer Principal Engineer Research Development Level

Northrop Grumman - CLEARFIELD, UT

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Key Factors That Influence Assistant Research and Development Engineer Salaries

An Assistant 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 Assistant Research and Development Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Assistant 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): $114,923
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $115,191
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $116,265
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $120,869
  • Expert (over 8 years): $123,115
Levels Salary
Entry Level Assistant Research and Development Engineer$114,923
Intermediate Level Assistant Research and Development Engineer$115,191
Senior Level Assistant Research and Development Engineer$116,265
Specialist Level Assistant Research and Development Engineer$120,869
Expert Level Assistant Research and Development Engineer$123,115
$114,923 0 yr
$115,191 < 2 yrs
$116,265 2-4 yrs
$120,869 5-8 yrs
$123,115 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Assistant 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 Assistant Research and Development Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $132,998.
  • California: $132,493.
  • Massachusetts: $130,728.

Top Paying Cities for Assistant 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: $151,509
  • San Francisco: $150,019
  • Oakland: $146,692

What Skills Can Increase an Assistant 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 an Assistant 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
 $130,932
9%
Computer Vision
 $128,529
7%
Artificial Intelligence
 $127,328
6%
Machine Learning
 $127,328
6%
Computer Science
 $124,926
4%
Algorithms
 $124,926
4%
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How Education impacts an Assistant Research and Development Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Assistant 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 an Assistant Research and Development Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $115,563 and $123,542).

Assistant Research and Development Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Assistant 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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Assistant Research and Development Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Assistant 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 January 01, 2026
$111,301
Average $120,121/year
$130,902
$9,275
Average $10,010/month
$10,909
$2,140
Average $2,310/week
$2,517
$54
Average $58/hour
$63
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $130,902 $10,909 $2,517 $63
Average $120,121 $10,010 $2,310 $58
25th Percentile $111,301 $9,275 $2,140 $54

Salaries of jobs related to Assistant Research and Development Engineer

Salary Trends for Assistant Research and Development Engineer

Salaries for an Assistant Research and Development Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $121,225 in 2023 to around $119,925 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Assistant Research and Development Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Assistant Research and Development Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$121,225
2024
$121,632
2025
$119,925
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $121,225
2024 $121,632
2025 $119,925
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Assistant Research and Development Engineer

Social Security
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Disability
Healthcare
Pension
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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