Research Engineer Research Engineer Salary in San Jose, CA

Research Engineer Salary in San Jose, CA

Updated on Oct 10, 2026
Position
City
Salary

How much does a Research Engineer make in San Jose, CA?

The average salary for a Research Engineer is $227,971 per year in San Jose, CA.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Research Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA, showing an average salary of $227,971 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Research Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA, showing an average salary of $18,998 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Research Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA, showing an average salary of $4,384 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Research Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA, showing an average salary of $110 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Research Engineers in San Jose, CA can expect a strong salary. The average yearly salary stands at around $227,971. This figure represents a good income for those working in this field. With this salary, professionals can find it easier to afford living expenses in San Jose, which is known for its high cost of living.

The salary distribution shows a range of incomes based on experience and expertise. The lowest 10% of earners make about $90,000 per year. Meanwhile, the highest 10% earn over $367,000 annually. This spread shows that experienced Research Engineers can achieve higher salaries. They do this through continued learning and skill development. For those just starting, there is potential to grow into higher-paying roles with time.

Research Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA
View all Research Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA

What are the highest paying cities for a Research Engineer near San Jose, CA?

Research Engineers can find lucrative opportunities around San Jose, CA. Palo Alto leads with the highest average salary at $227,528. Nearby cities like Cupertino, Santa Clara, and Mountain View also offer excellent pay, with average salaries exceeding $200,000. For a Research Engineer, these cities present significant career growth and financial benefits. Exploring nearby cities can yield high rewards as well. Los Altos, Milpitas, and Sunnyvale provide average salaries above $180,000. Mento Park, Stanford, and other nearby locations offer competitive pay, making the San Jose area a prime spot for Research Engineers seeking top salaries.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Research Engineer jobs near San Jose, CA, highlighting Palo Alto, CA with the highest at $227,528 and Stanford, CA with the lowest at $133,893.

  1. Palo Alto, CA
    Average Salary: $227,528
    In Palo Alto, professionals in this role work with leading tech companies. You will have opportunities to contribute to groundbreaking research. Companies like Tesla and LinkedIn offer innovative projects.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Palo Alto, CA


  2. Cupertino, CA
    Average Salary: $215,298
    Cupertino is home to tech giants, making it an excellent place for research engineers. Working here means you can collaborate on projects at Apple. The city offers a vibrant community and plenty of tech events.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Cupertino, CA


  3. Santa Clara, CA
    Average Salary: $212,801
    Santa Clara offers a dynamic environment for research engineers. The presence of companies like Intel and VMware means you can work on cutting-edge technology. This area supports a mix of industry and innovation.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA


  4. Mountain View, CA
    Average Salary: $210,020
    Mountain View is synonymous with tech innovation. As a research engineer, you can join companies like Google. The city’s tech-focused culture provides a stimulating environment for research and development.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Mountain View, CA


  5. Los Altos, CA
    Average Salary: $191,221
    Los Altos offers a high standard of living for tech professionals. Working here means you can be part of companies like Hewlett Packard Enterprise. The city provides a supportive environment for research and growth.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Los Altos, CA


  6. Milpitas, CA
    Average Salary: $188,400
    Milpitas is an emerging tech hub with several tech firms. As a research engineer, you can find opportunities with companies like Applied Materials. The area is growing rapidly, offering new possibilities.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Milpitas, CA


  7. Sunnyvale, CA
    Average Salary: $182,865
    Sunnyvale boasts a thriving tech scene. Here, you can work with companies like eBay and Cisco. The city offers a mix of innovation and community, making it a great place for research engineers.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  8. Menlo Park, CA
    Average Salary: $153,818
    Menlo Park is known for its tech companies and startups. As a research engineer, you can collaborate on projects at Facebook and other tech firms. The area provides a creative and supportive environment.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Menlo Park, CA


  9. Stanford, CA
    Average Salary: $133,893
    Stanford is a hub for research and innovation. Working here means you can collaborate with Stanford University and tech companies. The area offers a unique blend of academic and industry research opportunities.
    Find Research Engineer jobs in Stanford, CA

What are the best paying companies for a Research Engineer in San Jose, CA?

ByteDance offers top pay for Research Engineers in San Jose, with an average salary of $298,548. TikTok follows closely, offering a competitive average salary of $258,276. Adobe also provides an attractive salary of $192,700. These companies value innovation and skill in their engineering teams.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Research Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA, highlighting ByteDance with the highest at $298,548 and Adobe with the lowest at $192,700.

  1. ByteDance
    Average Salary: $298,548
    ByteDance offers exciting Research Engineer positions in San Jose, CA. They focus on developing cutting-edge technologies to enhance user experience. The company operates globally, with major offices in Beijing, Singapore, and Menlo Park, CA.


  2. TikTok
    Average Salary: $258,276
    TikTok provides rewarding Research Engineer roles in San Jose, CA. They work on innovative projects to improve the platform's algorithms and user interface. As a subsidiary of ByteDance, TikTok has a presence in many countries, including offices in Los Angeles, CA, and Tokyo, Japan.


  3. Adobe
    Average Salary: $192,700
    Adobe offers promising Research Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA. They focus on creating new software features to help designers and creatives. Adobe operates worldwide, with key locations in San Jose, CA, and offices in Seattle, WA, and London, UK.

Currently 231 Research Engineer job openings, nationwide.

View Research Engineer Jobs in San Jose, CA

How's the job market for a Research Engineer in the US?

Learn what a Research Engineer does, how to become one, and understand the job outlook. Get simple steps to start your career as a Research Engineer today.
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Research Engineer
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