As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Principal RF Engineer in the United States is $175,550. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $162,790 to $187,300, with most professionals earning between $151,173 and $197,998.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $187,300 | $15,608 | $3,602 | $90 |
| Average | $175,550 | $14,629 | $3,376 | $84 |
| 25th Percentile | $162,790 | $13,566 | $3,131 | $78 |
An entry-level Principal RF Engineer with less than 1 year of experience earns about $172,693. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $173,265. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $174,217. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $174,598, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $175,169.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Principal RF Engineer | $172,693 |
| Intermediate Level Principal RF Engineer | $173,265 |
| Senior Level Principal RF Engineer | $174,217 |
| Specialist Level Principal RF Engineer | $174,598 |
| Expert Level Principal RF Engineer | $175,169 |
| Entry Level | 2% |
| Mid Level | 1% |
| Senior Level | 1% |
| Top Level | 1% |
| Experienced | 0% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Principal RF Engineer compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $175,618 in 2023 to approximately $171,894 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Principal RF Engineer salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Principal RF Engineer information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Principal RF Engineer job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Principal RF Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $175,550 | 73.5% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $12,999 | 5.4% | ||
| 401K/403B | $7,373 | 3.1% | ||
| Disability | $3,511 | 1.5% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 3.5% | ||
| Pension | $9,480 | 4.0% | ||
| Time Off | $21,606 | 9.0% | ||
| Total Compensation | $238,871 | 100% | ||
The highest-paid engineering role in the USA is the Principal RF Engineer, with a salary range from $173,350 to $201,610. The median salary for this position is approximately $188,320, significantly higher than many other engineering roles, making it one of the top-paying jobs in the engineering field.
The highest-paid Principal RF Engineer can expect a salary ranging from $173,350 to $201,610, with a mid-salary of $188,320. This reflects the competitive compensation in the field, highlighting the value of expertise and experience in RF engineering.
There are over 18,302 radio frequency engineers currently employed in the United States. Among them, 8.9% are women and 91.1% are men. The average age of a radio frequency engineer is 44 years. Salary data for Principal RF Engineers shows a minimum of $173,350, a mid-range of $188,320, and a maximum of $201,610.
As of now, the salary for a Principal RF Engineer in the United States ranges from $173,350 to $201,610 annually, with a median salary of $188,320. This translates to approximately $83.29 to $96.73 per hour, or $3,333 to $4,000 per week.
Working as a Principal RF Engineer is a lucrative career choice, with salaries ranging from $173,350 to $201,610, depending on experience and expertise. This role not only offers competitive pay but also opens doors to various opportunities in broadcasting and other industries. A strong foundation in maths, physics, and computer science is beneficial for aspiring engineers.
Yes, an RF engineer is a specialized type of electrical engineer. RF engineering focuses on the design and application of devices that utilize radio signals, covering a frequency range from about 20 kHz to 300 GHz. In this field, professionals can expect salaries ranging from $173,350 to $201,610, with a median salary of approximately $188,320.
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.
