How Much Does a Research Software Engineer Make?

Updated March 26, 2024

Individually reported data submitted by users of our website

Normal Confidence
$99,341/yr
Average Base Pay
Low $82,713
Average $99,341
High $113,495
The average salary for Research Software Engineer is $99,341 per year in the United States.

Related Job Titles to Research Software Engineer

Research Engineer
$120,715
US
Per Year
Embedded Software Engineer I
$81,378
US
Per Year
Embedded Software Engineer II
$93,093
US
Per Year

Similar Job Salaries to Research Software Engineer by Company

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Company average base salary in (usd) range
University of California - Santa Barbara
Research Software Engineer
$113,265/yr
$102,006
$124,525
RANGE: $102,006 - $124,525
HRL LABORATORIES, LLC
Research Software Engineer
$153,608/yr
$137,425
$169,792
RANGE: $137,425 - $169,792
Wispr AI
Software Engineer, Research
$131,094/yr
$118,062
$144,126
RANGE: $118,062 - $144,126
Commonwealth of VA Careers
Research Software Engineer
$119,081/yr
$107,300
$130,861
RANGE: $107,300 - $130,861
CRSP
Senior Software Engineer - Research Products
$136,074/yr
$122,612
$149,536
RANGE: $122,612 - $149,536
Another Source
Software Engineer for Athlete Performance Research
$131,409/yr
$118,346
$144,472
RANGE: $118,346 - $144,472
Actalent
Software Engineer ADAS Research And Development
$130,755/yr
$117,819
$143,691
RANGE: $117,819 - $143,691
ERT, Inc.
Scientific Software Engineer - RF/Space Weather Research
$146,000/yr
$130,491
$161,510
RANGE: $130,491 - $161,510
Another Source
Senior Software Engineer for Athlete Performance Research
$140,723/yr
$124,733
$156,713
RANGE: $124,733 - $156,713
The Scripps Research Institute
RESEARCH PROGRAMMER III (Sr. Software Engineer)-Wu lab
$92,568/yr
$77,591
$107,544
RANGE: $77,591 - $107,544

What Does a Research Software Engineer Do?

Some RSEs are more researchers that do programming, and others are trained software engineers that work on research problems.
Updated December 19, 2021
In an ideal world, an institution would have a fully funded layer of research software engineers, where, for example, a graduate student that wanted help with development of an open source library could go.
Updated December 14, 2021
We do this by working as an integral part of traditional academic research groups, providing leadership in the design and construction of complex and highly customized software systems.
Updated December 11, 2021
A Senior Research Engineer sounds like someone who is not as involved in production cycles but is more focused on algorithms or long term strategic work.
Updated December 10, 2021
A good software engineer will keep abreast of the technological changes, seeking opportunities to learn more and continuously develop their skillset.
Updated December 10, 2021

Frequently Asked Questions About a Research Software Engineer Salaries

What is the average of a Research Software Engineer in the United States?

The Research Software Engineer salary range is from $82,713 to $113,495, and the average Research Software Engineer salary is $99,341/year in the United States. The Research Software Engineer's salary will change in different locations.

Which location pays the highest Research Software Engineer salary in the United States?

The Research Software Engineer salary in San Jose, CA is $124,672 which is the highest in the US.

What kinds of reasons will influence the Research Software Engineer's salary?

Besides the location, employees' education degree, related skills, and work experience also will influence the salary. Try to improve your skills and experience to get a higher salary for the position of Research Software Engineer.

What is the growth rate of the Research Software Engineer's salary?

If you are thinking of becoming a Research Software Engineer or planning the next step in your career, find the detailed salary report of a Research Software Engineer.

Recent Salary Report

Below are the most recent Research Software Engineer salary reports. Employer name has been removed to protect anonymity.

$120,891 Yearly
A Research Software Engineer in Racine, WI reported making $120,891 per year
Racine, WI
6 - 1,000 employees
Full-Time
Company - Private
$55 Hourly
A Research Software Engineer in Lawton, OK reported making $55 per hour
Lawton, OK
7,6 - 15,000 employees
Part-Time
Company - Public
$7,258 Monthly
A Research Software Engineer in Gadsden, AL reported making $7,258 per month
Gadsden, AL
1,000 - 3,000 employees
Full-Time
Company - Public
$38 Hourly
A Research Software Engineer in Kingsport, TN reported making $38 per hour
Kingsport, TN
3,000 - 7,6 employees
Part-Time
Company - Public
$74,630 Yearly
A Research Software Engineer in Palmdale, CA reported making $74,630 per year
Palmdale, CA
200 - 6 employees
Full-Time
Company - Private
$127,839 Yearly
A Research Software Engineer in Virginia State University, VA reported making $127,839 per year
Virginia State University, VA
100 - 200 employees
Full-Time
Company - Private