Engineering
Base salary and total compensation benchmarks for 10 engineering roles, with the guide's notes on what moves the numbers.
Quality Engineer
Quality Engineer
- $125k
- Average total compensation
- $115k
- Average base salary
- Base salary range
- $85k to $170k
- Total compensation range
- $90k to $180k
Sr. Quality Engineer
- $155k
- Average total compensation
- $145k
- Average base salary
- Base salary range
- $105k to $190k
- Total compensation range
- $110k to $205k
The definition
As a quality engineer for medical devices, you oversee the continual improvement of medical devices as well as the design and manufacturing of new devices. Your duties are to develop prototypes, assess the quality of manufacturing standards, and develop guidelines for technological improvement. You also work closely with medical device engineers to ensure sufficient documentation and standardization, which helps users and service technicians test and maintain the safety of devices.
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
- $145k
- Average total compensation
- $130k
- Average base salary
- Base salary range
- $85k to $170k
- Total compensation range
- $90k to $195k
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
- $150k
- Average total compensation
- $140k
- Average base salary
- Base salary range
- $115k to $180k
- Total compensation range
- $122k to $200k
Did you know?
Mechanical engineering needs vary by device platform and development stage. For 2026-2027 planning, assess experience in precision design, materials, manufacturability, and verification relevant to your products. Compensation should reflect technical complexity and responsibility across development and design transfer.
Electrical Engineer
Electrical Engineer
- $125k
- Average total compensation
- $115k
- Average base salary
- Base salary range
- $85k to $170k
- Total compensation range
- $90k to $180k
Sr. Electrical Engineer
- $152k
- Average total compensation
- $145k
- Average base salary
- Base salary range
- $115k to $200k
- Total compensation range
- $120k to $210k
The definition
These individuals play a crucial role in designing, developing, and testing medical devices and equipment that involve electronic components. Their work involves creating and optimizing electrical circuitry, power management systems, and signal processing for devices such as diagnostic equipment, imaging machines, wearable health monitors, and implantable devices. They also ensure that these devices meet strict regulatory standards for safety and reliability, particularly in relation to electromagnetic compatibility and bioelectrical safety.
R&D Engineer
R&D Engineer
- $130k
- Average total compensation
- $125k
- Average base salary
- Base salary range
- $95k to $180k
- Total compensation range
- $100k to $190k
Sr. R&D Engineer
- $170k
- Average total compensation
- $150k
- Average base salary
- Base salary range
- $120k to $185k
- Total compensation range
- $125k to $210k
Did you know?
R&D Engineers translate product concepts into testable, manufacturable designs. For 2026-2027 planning, prioritize experience aligned with your roadmap, including prototyping, verification, risk management, and design transfer. Hiring needs should follow funded programs and technical milestones.
Software Engineer
Software Engineer
- $140k
- Average total compensation
- $135k
- Average base salary
- Base salary range
- $100k to $175k
- Total compensation range
- $105k to $185k
Sr. Software Engineer
- $180k
- Average total compensation
- $170k
- Average base salary
- Base salary range
- $130k to $210k
- Total compensation range
- $135k to $225k
The definition
The Software Engineer Team develops software for medical devices and research. They work to ensure that the software is safe, reliable, and usable. Their work can help hospitals improve efficiency and organization, and provide better care for patients.
The market
For software-enabled and connected devices, benchmark engineers by experience in regulated development, verification, cybersecurity, and lifecycle maintenance. Requirements vary across embedded systems, device applications, and data platforms.
Did you know?
Medical device software requires lifecycle attention to safety and security. FDA's February 2026 cybersecurity guidance addresses design, labeling, and premarket documentation for devices with cybersecurity risk. Relevant experience extends beyond coding to risk management and maintainable, secure systems.
Talent decisions compound over time, for better or worse.
Benchmarks are the start. The decision is the rest.
For current compensation benchmarking, workforce planning, or hiring support, bring us the role and the business outcome it needs to produce.
