A computer-implemented method for setting RF transmit power of a wireless device includes obtaining power response data for a power detector of the wireless device, the power response data providing a relationship between power detector readings from the power detector and measured transmit power of a transmitter of the wireless device; identifying a target power detector reading value corresponding to a target transmit power based at least in part on the power response data; initializing a transmitter gain of the transmitter to an initial transmitter gain value; obtaining a power detector reading value from the power detector; determining that a difference between the power detector reading value and the target power detector reading value is greater than a tolerance margin; and adjusting a transmitter gain value of the transmitter in a direction of the difference between the power detector reading value and the target power detector reading value.