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The differences between research and development engineers and research engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a research and development engineer and a research engineer. Additionally, a research and development engineer has an average salary of $100,169, which is higher than the $96,945 average annual salary of a research engineer.
The top three skills for a research and development engineer include python, R and solidworks. The most important skills for a research engineer are python, java, and software development.
| Research And Development Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $100,169 | $96,945 |
| Hourly rate | $48.16 | $46.61 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 187,910 | 136,763 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
Research Engineers are responsible for a wide range of duties, including researching and developing new technologies and prototypes, and finding solutions to improve techniques, procedures, and technologies.
Research and development engineers and research engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research And Development Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Average salary | $100,169 | $96,945 |
| Salary range | Between $74,000 And $135,000 | Between $67,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a research and development engineer and a research engineer in terms of educational background:
| Research And Development Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between research and development engineers' and research engineers' demographics:
| Research And Development Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.2% Female, 14.8% | Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.9% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |