Staff Research Engineer Salary in the United States

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

As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Staff Research Engineer in the United States is $129,732 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $151,416
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $115,178 to $141,082
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $101,927
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View as table View as graph 25% $115,178 10% $101,927 90% $151,416 75% $141,082 $129,732 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Staff Research Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $141,082 $11,757 $2,713 $68
Average $129,732 $10,811 $2,495 $62
25th Percentile $115,178 $9,598 $2,215 $55
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Key Factors That Influence Staff Research Engineer Salaries

A Staff Research 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 Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Staff Research 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): $112,738
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $116,197
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $130,743
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $171,201
  • Expert (over 8 years): $202,558
Levels Salary
Budget An... Level Staff Research Engineer$112,738
Budgeting... Level Staff Research Engineer$116,197
Staff Res... Level Staff Research Engineer$130,743
Budget Se... Level Staff Research Engineer$171,201
Budget Di... Level Staff Research Engineer$202,558
$112,738 0 yr
$116,197 < 2 yrs
$130,743 2-4 yrs
$171,201 5-8 yrs
$202,558 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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

  • District of Columbia: $143,639.
  • California: $143,094.
  • Massachusetts: $141,187.

Top Paying Cities for Staff Research 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: $163,631
  • San Francisco: $162,022
  • Oakland: $158,429

What Skills Can Increase a Staff Research Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 12.13% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Financial Statements (Mentioned in 1.64% Job Postings): Obtaining and creating formal records of business activities and cash flows to provide results for financial performance.
  • Accounts Receivable (Mentioned in 1.2% Job Postings): Accounts receivable is a legally enforceable claim for payment held by a business for goods supplied and/or services rendered that customers/clients have ordered but not paid for. These are generally in the form of invoices raised by a business and delivered to the customer for payment within an agreed time frame. Accounts receivable is shown in a balance sheet as an asset. It is one of a series of accounting transactions dealing with the billing of a customer for goods and services that the customer has ordered. These may be distinguished from notes receivable, which are debts created through formal legal instruments called promissory notes.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 12.13%
Financial Statements 1.64%
Accounts Receivable 1.2%
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 Engineer's salary.
  • Partnering: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Pricing: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Financial Modeling: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Partnering
$149,192
15%
Pricing
$146,597
13%
Financial Modeling
$144,003
11%
Project Management
$142,705
10%
Forecasting
$142,705
10%
KPI
$142,705
10%
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How Education impacts a Staff Research Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Staff Research 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 Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $130,210 and $139,103).

Staff Research Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Staff Research Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.7%
High School 1.7%
Associates 2.8%
Bachelors 38.1%
Masters 57.4%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Staff Research Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Staff Research 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 March 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Staff Research Engineer

Salaries for a Staff Research Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $112,302 in 2023 to around $112,576 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Staff Research Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Staff Research Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$112,302
2024
$113,201
2025
$112,576
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $112,302
2024 $113,201
2025 $112,576
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Staff Research Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Staff Research Engineer

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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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