The salary of a Senior Research & Development (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 Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer in the United States is $111,260. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $92,996 to a high of $131,644, with most professionals earning between $101,700 and $121,930.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $121,930 | $10,161 | $2,345 | $59 |
| Average | $111,260 | $9,272 | $2,140 | $53 |
| 25th Percentile | $101,700 | $8,475 | $1,956 | $49 |
An entry-level Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer with less than 1 year of experience earns about $108,121. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $108,406. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $109,548. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $114,445, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $116,834.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer | $108,121 |
| Intermediate Level Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer | $108,406 |
| Senior Level Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer | $109,548 |
| Specialist Level Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer | $114,445 |
| Expert Level Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer | $116,834 |
| 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 Senior Research & Development (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 Senior Research & Development (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 Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $111,260 | 71.9% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $8,511 | 5.5% | ||
| 401K/403B | $4,673 | 3.0% | ||
| Disability | $2,225 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 5.4% | ||
| Pension | $6,008 | 3.9% | ||
| Time Off | $13,694 | 8.9% | ||
| Total Compensation | $154,723 | 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?
A Research and Development (R&D) engineer is responsible for creating and refining products and technologies through research, design, experimentation, and testing. Their typical duties include developing new products to meet consumer needs. The salary for a Senior R&D Engineer ranges from $107,920 to $137,740, with a mid-point of $122,050.
A career as a Senior R&D Engineer is highly attractive due to the growing demand in various industries. With salaries ranging from $107,920 to $137,740, this role offers competitive compensation. The increasing need for innovation ensures that skilled R&D engineers are in high demand, making it a promising career choice.
Loosely speaking, the role of a research scientist focuses on generating original ideas, while an R&D engineer applies engineering skills to implement and conduct experiments based on those ideas. Typically, a research scientist holds a Ph.D. and has first-author papers at top-tier conferences. In terms of compensation, Senior R&D Engineers earn between $107,920 and $137,740, with a median salary of $122,050.
As a Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer, you will be instrumental in designing and developing high-quality frameworks that enhance scientific evaluation and understanding of foundational models. The salary for this role typically ranges from $107,920 to $137,740, with a midpoint of $122,050, reflecting the expertise and impact of the position.
The highest salary that a Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer can earn is $137,740 per year.
The highest-paid engineering role in the U.S. is the Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer, with a salary range from $107,920 to $137,740. The median salary for this position is approximately $122,050, making it a lucrative career choice in the engineering field. Other high-paying roles include Petroleum and Aerospace Engineers.
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.
