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The differences between materials research engineers and research and development engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a research and development engineer has an average salary of $100,169, which is higher than the $87,100 average annual salary of a materials research engineer.
The top three skills for a materials research engineer include materials research, research projects and characterization techniques. The most important skills for a research and development engineer are python, R, and solidworks.
| Materials Research Engineer | Research And Development Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,100 | $100,169 |
| Hourly rate | $41.88 | $48.16 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 82,912 | 187,910 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
A materials research engineer researches, processes, and develops test materials used to create a wide range of products. They must be good in analytical, mechanical, and math skills. They are likely to perform in their role such as formulating their own project concepts, executing technology projects about the development of novel polymer fiber-reinforced composites, and identifying unknown material compositions. Also, they implement powder processing equipment and manufacture tools to improve their efficiency and quality.
Research and development engineers generally execute research and tests on product ideas, develop new products, and perform redesigns. They are employed in many industries, including manufacturing, electrical, and science-based companies. Their duties vary and depend on the industries they work in. Responsibilities of these engineers include developing new technologies, designing products, and managing the projects until they are completed. Additionally, they lead the project team members to manage their schedules, design the project plans, and collaborate with key departments in developing new products.
Materials research engineers and research and development engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Materials Research Engineer | Research And Development Engineer | |
| Average salary | $87,100 | $100,169 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $111,000 | Between $74,000 And $135,000 |
| Highest paying City | Beaverton, OR | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Nike | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a materials research engineer and a research and development engineer in terms of educational background:
| Materials Research Engineer | Research And Development Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Materials Science And Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between materials research engineers' and research and development engineers' demographics:
| Materials Research Engineer | Research And Development Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8% | Male, 85.2% Female, 14.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.1% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 19.6% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.7% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 5% |