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CRA Business Development Director Salary in the United States

How much does a CRA Business Development Director make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a CRA Business Development Director in the United States is $163,990 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.

However, a CRA Business Development Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $216,107
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $135,090 to $191,270
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $108,778
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View as table View as graph 25% $135,090 10% $108,778 90% $216,107 75% $191,270 $163,990 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

CRA Business Development Director Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $191,270 $15,939 $3,678 $92
Average $163,990 $13,666 $3,154 $79
25th Percentile $135,090 $11,258 $2,598 $65
Check out CRA Business Development Director Job Openings in the United States
Regional Director of Business Development

American Medical Associates - Columbus, OH

Senior Director Business Development

Confidential - Columbus, OH

Managing Director Business Development

Confidential - Columbus, OH

Managing Director Business Development

Confidential - Columbus, OH

Search More CRA Business Development Director Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence CRA Business Development Director Salaries

A CRA Business Development Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects CRA Business Development Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CRA Business Development Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Business /Economic Development Representative IV (7+ years): $109,110
  • Business /Economic Development Representative IV (7-10 years): $130,642
  • Community Development Relationship Manager I (10+ years): $127,200
  • CRA Business Development Director (10+ years): $163,989
  • Vice President of Community Outreach and Development (10+ years): $177,765
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Business /Economic Development Representative IV7+ years$109,110
Business /Economic Development Representative IV7-10 years$130,642
Community Development Relationship Manager I10+ years$127,200
CRA Business Development Director10+ years$163,989
Vice President of Community Outreach and Development10+ years$177,765
$109,110 Business ...
$130,642 Business ...
$127,200 Community...
$163,989 CRA Busin...
$177,765 Vice Pres...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for CRA Business Development Directors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $206,840
  • San Francisco: $204,580
  • Oakland: $200,270

What Skills Can Increase a CRA Business Development Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 12.21% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Accounting (Mentioned in 2.36% Job Postings): Creating financial statements and reports based on the summary of financial and business transactions.
  • Marketing Plans (Mentioned in 1.61% Job Postings): A marketing plan is the advertising strategy that a business will implement to sell its product or service. The marketing plan will help determine who the target market is, how to reach them, at what price point the product or service should be sold.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 12.21%
Accounting 2.36%
Marketing Plans 1.61%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a CRA Business Development Director's salary.
  • Pricing: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Pricing
$172,190
5%
Initiative
$170,550
4%
Collaboration
$170,550
4%
Commitment
$168,910
3%
Community Development
$168,910
3%
Coordination
$168,910
3%
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CRA Business Development Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

CRA Business Development Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $178,916. While startup companies pay approximate $151,449.

CRA Business Development Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$151,449
Growth Stage51~500$160,168
Established501~5000$172,773
Enterprise5000+$178,916

CRA Business Development Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CRA Business Development Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, CRA Business Development Director positions in Business Services or Insurance typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CRA Business Development Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a CRA Business Development Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$180,389$87.010%

How Education impacts a CRA Business Development Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many CRA Business Development Directors enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a CRA Business Development Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $160,387 and $172,217).

CRA Business Development Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for CRA Business Development Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.7%
High School 5.7%
Associates 5.7%
Bachelors 34.0%
Masters 52.8%
Doctorate 1.9%
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CRA Business Development Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CRA Business Development Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

CRA Business Development Director Salary Growth & Career Path

For a CRA Business Development Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Vice President of Community Outreach and Development role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $177,790 - a projected growth of 8% over your current level.

Salary Trends for CRA Business Development Director

Salaries for a CRA Business Development Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $126,656 in 2023 to around $123,883 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of CRA Business Development Director salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of CRA Business Development Director Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$126,656
2024
$126,845
2025
$123,883
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $126,656
2024 $126,845
2025 $123,883
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for CRA Business Development Director

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for CRA Business Development Director

Here are companies hiring for CRA Business Development Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next CRA Business Development Director Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CRA Business Development Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Managing Director, Business Development. About the Company. Unique Executive Service company unmatched in the marketplace. Industry. Management Consulting.... more

    1 Month Ago

  • Network Connex

    Columbus, OH

    Network Connex | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. I. f being a part of a world-class organization that operates in some of the most advanced technological environments aro... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Executive Director, Business Development, Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing. About the Company. Respected manufacturing organization. Industry. Electrical/... more

    1 Month Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Executive Director, Business Development, Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing. About the Company. Respected manufacturing organization. Industry. Electrical/... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Ohio State Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital

    Columbus, OH

    RN

    Ohio State Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital | Columbus, OH

    Travel Rn Stepdown (Pcu) Shift. Night shift - 12 hours. Start date: 09/21/2026. End date: 12/21/2026. Duration: 13 weeks. City: Columbus. State: OH more

    13 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President, Internal Communications. About the Company. National consulting & advisory services firm focused on the healthcare industry. Indu... more

    16 Days Ago

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FAQ about CRA Business Development Director

1. What industry pays the highest salary for CRA Business Development Director?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for CRA Business Development Director roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

2. How many hours do directors work?

On average, directors often exceed the typical 40-hour workweek, with many working 50 to 70 hours, especially during production. Schedules can be highly irregular, with long days on set and intense periods of post-production. Given the salary range for a CRA Business Development Director, which is between $152,120 and $193,800, the demanding hours reflect the high level of responsibility and commitment required.

3. What does a business development director do?

A Business Development Director is responsible for developing business opportunities through market research, identifying potential clients, networking with industry professionals, and forming strategic partnerships to drive company growth. The salary for this role typically ranges from $152,120 to $193,800, with a mid-point of $168,340.

4. How much does a business development manager make in the US?

The salary for a Business Development Director in the US ranges from $152,120 to $193,800, with a mid-point salary of $168,340. This reflects a more senior role compared to a Business Development Manager, whose average salary is significantly lower.

5. Is being a CRA a good career?

Being a CRA Business Development Director can be a rewarding career choice, offering a competitive salary range from $152,120 to $193,800, with a midpoint of $168,340. This role not only provides financial benefits but also allows you to make a significant impact in the clinical research field, improving the lives of patients and contributing to advancements in healthcare.

6. How much does a CRA make in the US?

The salary for a CRA Business Development Director in the US ranges from $152,120 to $193,800 per year, with a mid-salary of $168,340. This reflects the competitive compensation for this role, highlighting the value placed on business development expertise within the CRA sector.

7. How much does a director of Business Development make in the US?

As of January 23, 2025, the salary for a Director of Business Development in the US ranges from $152,120 to $193,800 annually, with a midpoint of $168,340. This translates to approximately $73.00 to $93.00 per hour, or $2,934 to $3,650 per week, and $12,593 to $15,800 per month.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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