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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Research Engineer in Maryland is $149,316 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $72.
However, a Senior Research Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Senior Research Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $158,016 | $13,168 | $3,039 | $76 |
| Average | $149,316 | $12,443 | $2,871 | $72 |
| 25th Percentile | $139,514 | $11,626 | $2,683 | $67 |
Gilead Sciences Inc. - United States - California - Foster City, MD
Default (MSD) - Gaithersburg, MD
Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore, MD
A Senior 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Senior 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineer ... Level Senior Research Engineer | $97,723 |
| Engineer ... Level Senior Research Engineer | $117,467 |
| Senior Re... Level Senior Research Engineer | $148,676 |
| Engineer ... Level Senior Research Engineer | $171,665 |
| Engineer ... Level Senior Research Engineer | $198,414 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Senior Research Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Senior Research Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Senior Research Engineer positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Senior Research Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $179,179 | $86.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Senior 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $158,016 | $13,168 | $3,039 | $76 |
| Average | $149,316 | $12,443 | $2,871 | $72 |
| 25th Percentile | $139,514 | $11,626 | $2,683 | $67 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Senior Research Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Intezra, Inc.
Columbia, MD
Intezra, Inc. | Columbia, MD
Job Description. Job Description. Job Description. Senior Software Engineer — Agentic AI Workflows Vulnerability Research. Columbia, MD | Full Time | TS/SC... more
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Germantown, MD
Precigen, Inc | Germantown, MD
Job Description. Job Description. Precigen is a dedicated discovery and clinical stage biopharmaceutical company advancing the next generation of gene and ... more
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Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University conduct clinical trials and clinical studies to discover new ways to prevent and treat diseases and other health pr... more
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Celestar
Severn, MD
Celestar | Severn, MD
Senior Research Analysis Support - USACIC Location Maryland, Fort Meade Department BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Employment Duration Full Time Celestar Corporation ... more
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Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD
We are seeking two talented and team-oriented Sr. Research Project Coordinators to oversee the administrative and technical implementation of multiple rese... more
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American Nurses Association ANA
Silver Spring, MD
American Nurses Association ANA | Silver Spring, MD
Job Description. Job Description. Career Title. Senior Director, Research and Quality. Department. Research and Quality. Salary. Competitive salary commens... more
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