What are the main factors that influence a Research and Development Engineer's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Research and Development Engineer's salary?

A Research and Development Engineer's salary grows with experience: starting around $126,736 for beginners, reaching about $128,241 at mid-level, and approach $135,856 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for a Research and Development Engineer?

Research and Development Engineer salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Research and Development Engineer roles are District of Columbia $129,398, California $128,908, Massachusetts $127,190. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Research and Development Engineer roles make?

Salaries for Research and Development Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Research and Development Director: $204,795; Chemical Engineer VI - Research & Development (R&D): $190,210; Chemical Engineer V - Research & Development (R&D): $164,800; Chemical Engineer IV - Research & Development (R&D): $138,400; Assistant Research and Development Engineer: $119,081.

Research and Development Engineer Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Research and Development Engineer make in District of Columbia?

As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for a Research and Development Engineer in District of Columbia is $130,076 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $151,276
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $120,300 to $141,173
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $111,399

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Research and Development Engineer Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$141,173	$11,764	$2,715	$68
Average	$130,076	$10,840	$2,501	$63
25th Percentile	$120,300	$10,025	$2,313	$58

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Research and Development Engineer Salaries

A Research and Development 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.

How Experience Level Affects Research and Development Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Research and Development 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): $126,736
Early Career (1-2 years): $127,037
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $128,241
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $133,366
Expert (over 8 years): $135,856

Levels	Salary
Entry Level Research and Development Engineer	$126,736
Intermediate Level Research and Development Engineer	$127,037
Senior Level Research and Development Engineer	$128,241
Specialist Level Research and Development Engineer	$133,366
Expert Level Research and Development Engineer	$135,856

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Research and Development Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Research and Development Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $129,398.
California: $128,908.
Massachusetts: $127,190.

District of Columbia $129,398 California $128,908 Massachusetts $127,190 Washington $126,722 New Jersey $126,675 Alaska $126,512 Connecticut $124,899 New York $124,244

Hawaii $122,153 Rhode Island $121,171 Maryland $120,505 Minnesota $119,593 Colorado $119,242 Illinois $119,126 Oregon $118,681 Delaware $118,354

New Hampshire $118,149 Virginia $117,688 Pennsylvania $116,344 Nevada $115,666 North Dakota $115,444 Michigan $115,094 Wisconsin $114,965 Vermont $114,708

Texas $113,995 Maine $113,948 Arizona $113,878 Ohio $113,796 Georgia $112,721 Indiana $112,184 Wyoming $112,078 Utah $111,915

Iowa $111,845 Kansas $111,284 Louisiana $111,120 North Carolina $111,062 Missouri $111,038 Florida $110,582 Montana $110,337 Nebraska $110,103

Kentucky $109,975 South Carolina $109,507 Tennessee $109,215 Idaho $109,098 New Mexico $108,245 Oklahoma $108,058 Alabama $107,368 South Dakota $106,211

Arkansas $105,580 West Virginia $105,241 Mississippi $104,225

Top Paying Cities for Research and Development 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:

Parcel Return Service: $129,398
Washington: $129,398
Naval Anacost Annex: $129,398

Parcel Return Service, DC $129,398 Washington, DC $129,398 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $129,398 Washington Navy Yard, DC $129,398

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

Understanding how a Research and Development 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 May 18, 2021

$120,300

Average $130,076/year

$141,173

$10,025

Average $10,840/month

$11,764

$2,313

Average $2,501/week

$2,715

$58

Average $63/hour

$68

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$141,173	$11,764	$2,715	$68
Average	$130,076	$10,840	$2,501	$63
25th Percentile	$120,300	$10,025	$2,313	$58

Research and Development Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

Research and Development Engineer

Human Factors Researcher IV

Research and Development Associate IV

Human Factors Researcher V

SVP of Research & Development

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Research and Development Engineer, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Research and Development Engineer Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role	Estimate Salary	Projected Raise
Human Factors Researcher IV	$149,816	15%
Research and Development Associate IV	$146,217	12%

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