How much does a Research Engineer make in Sunset, SC?

As of November 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Engineer in Sunset, SC is $109,377 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $127,280
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $101,238 to $118,748
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $93,828

Key Factors That Influence Research Engineer Salaries

A 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, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Research Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 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): $106,001
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $106,245
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $107,222
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $111,444
  • Expert (over 8 years): $113,511
Levels Salary
Entry Level Research Engineer$106,001
Intermediate Level Research Engineer$106,245
Senior Level Research Engineer$107,222
Specialist Level Research Engineer$111,444
Expert Level Research Engineer$113,511

Top Paying Cities for 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: $150,347
  • San Francisco: $148,701
  • Oakland: $145,567

What Skills Can Increase a Research 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 Research 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 $119,221
9%
Computer Vision $117,033
7%
Artificial Intelligence $115,939
6%

Research Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industry for a Research Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$164,065$79.050%

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

Understanding how a 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 November 01, 2026
$101,238
Average $109,377/year
$118,748
$8,436
Average $9,115/month
$9,896
$1,947
Average $2,103/week
$2,284
$49
Average $53/hour
$57
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $118,748 $9,896 $2,284 $57
Average $109,377 $9,115 $2,103 $53
25th Percentile $101,238 $8,436 $1,947 $49

Find Your Next Research Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Research Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst