The salary of a R & D Engineer in the United States varies depending on several factors, including experience, location, education level, marketing trend and company sizes.
As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a R & D Engineer in the United States is $111,300. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $92,960 to a high of $131,742, with most professionals earning between $101,700 and $122,000.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $122,000 | $10,167 | $2,346 | $59 |
| Average | $111,300 | $9,275 | $2,140 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $101,700 | $8,475 | $1,956 | $49 |
An entry-level R & D Engineer with less than 1 year of experience earns about $108,148. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $108,434. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $109,581. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $114,494, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $116,890.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level R & D Engineer | $108,148 |
| Intermediate Level R & D Engineer | $108,434 |
| Senior Level R & D Engineer | $109,581 |
| Specialist Level R & D Engineer | $114,494 |
| Expert Level R & D Engineer | $116,890 |
| Entry Level | 3% |
| Mid Level | 3% |
| Senior Level | 2% |
| Top Level | 3% |
| Experienced | 5% |
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 R & D Engineer compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $120,204 in 2023 to approximately $120,607 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of R & D 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 R & D Engineer information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see R & D Engineer job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for R & D Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $111,300 | 71.9% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $8,514 | 5.5% | ||
| 401K/403B | $4,675 | 3.0% | ||
| Disability | $2,226 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 5.4% | ||
| Pension | $6,010 | 3.9% | ||
| Time Off | $13,698 | 8.9% | ||
| Total Compensation | $154,776 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| Associates | 0.9% |
| Bachelors | 14.7% |
| Masters | 25.7% |
| Doctorate | 58.7% |
What Am I Worth?
An R&D engineer is responsible for conducting research and development activities within a company. They apply research theories, principles, and models to perform experiments and innovate. Their role includes creating new products and redesigning existing ones. The salary for an R&D engineer typically ranges from $108,000 to $137,800, with a mid-point of $122,100.
Among engineering roles, R&D Engineers have competitive salaries, with a minimum of $108,000, a mid-range of $122,100, and a maximum of $137,800. While various engineering fields offer high pay, R&D Engineers are well-compensated, reflecting the demand for innovation and development in technology and products.
While CEO positions are often considered the highest paying jobs globally, specialized roles like R&D Engineer also offer competitive salaries. For instance, R&D Engineers can expect a minimum salary of $108,000, a mid-range salary of $122,100, and a maximum salary of $137,800, reflecting their critical role in innovation and development within organizations.
A good salary for an R&D Engineer in the USA typically ranges from a minimum of $108,000 to a maximum of $137,800, with a mid-salary of around $122,100. This reflects the competitive nature of the field, where experienced professionals can earn significantly more, aligning with industry standards for engineering roles.
R&D engineers in the USA earn between $108,000 and $137,800 annually. The average salary is approximately $122,100, translating to about $10,175 per month. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise within the field, with top earners reaching up to $137,800.
While engineers can earn a respectable salary, the average compensation for R&D Engineers ranges from $108,000 to $137,800, with a mid-salary of $122,100. In contrast, physicians typically earn significantly more, with even the lowest-paid specialties starting around $250,000, and top specialties reaching up to $775,000 annually.
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.
