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Hourly Wage for R & D Supervisor Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for R & D Supervisor?

As of October 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a R & D Supervisor in the United States is $55, which translates to an annual salary of about $114,410.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $64 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50 to $60 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence R & D Supervisor Salaries

A R & D Supervisor'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 R & D Supervisor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a R & D Supervisor'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:

  • R & D Support Associate V (7-10 years): $160,442
  • R & D Support Associate VI (10-12 years): $214,629
  • R & D Supervisor (12+ years): $114,408
  • Product Research and Development Manager (12+ years): $145,222
  • Product Research and Development Senior Manager (12+ years): $177,740
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
R & D Support Associate V7-10 years$160,442
R & D Support Associate VI10-12 years$214,629
R & D Supervisor12+ years$114,408
Product Research and Development Manager12+ years$145,222
Product Research and Development Senior Manager12+ years$177,740
View as Graph

How Do R & D Supervisor Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract R & D Supervisors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $126,680.
  • California: $126,200.
  • Massachusetts: $124,520.

Top Paying Cities for R & D Supervisors

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: $144,310
  • San Francisco: $142,730
  • Oakland: $139,720

R & D Supervisor Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

R & D Supervisor salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $127,727. While startup companies pay approximate $108,152.

R & D Supervisor Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $108,152
Growth Stage 51~500 $114,357
Established 501~5000 $123,330
Enterprise 5000+ $127,727

R & D Supervisor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For R & D Supervisor roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, R & D Supervisor positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view R & D Supervisor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a R & D Supervisor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$143,012$69.025%
Pharmaceuticals$137,292$66.020%
Financial Services$131,572$63.015%
Internet$128,139$62.012%
Biotechnology$125,851$61.010%

How Education impacts a R & D Supervisor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many R & D Supervisors enter the field with a Associate'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 R & D Supervisor with a Associate's Degree is between $110,190 and $120,041).

R & D Supervisor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for R & D Supervisor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.9%
High School 1.9%
Associates 1.9%
Bachelors 20.8%
Masters 28.3%
Doctorate 47.2%
View as Graph

R & D Supervisor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a R & D Supervisor'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 October 01, 2026
$103,470
Average $114,410/year
$124,710
$8,623
Average $9,534/month
$10,393
$1,990
Average $2,200/week
$2,398
$50
Average $55/hour
$60
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $124,710 $10,393 $2,398 $60
Average $114,410 $9,534 $2,200 $55
25th Percentile $103,470 $8,623 $1,990 $50

Most common benefits for R & D Supervisor

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for R & D Supervisor

Here are companies hiring for R & D Supervisor and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about R & D Supervisor

1. What industry pays the highest salary for R & D Supervisor?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for R & D Supervisor roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. Is R&D a good job?

R&D is indeed a promising career choice, especially given its lucrative salary range. With a minimum salary of $106,770, a mid-range of $122,420, and a maximum of $139,980, it reflects the high demand for innovation. India's growth in innovation centers further emphasizes the value of R&D roles, making it a secure and rewarding field to pursue.

3. How much do non profit research directors make?

Non-profit research directors typically earn between $106,770 and $139,980, with a median salary around $122,420. They manage multiple research projects, coordinate with teams, and support senior leadership in setting strategic goals for research initiatives.

4. What is the highest salary in R&D?

The highest salary that an R&D Supervisor can earn is $139,980 per year, which translates to approximately $11,665 per month.

5. Does R&D include salary?

Yes, R&D salaries are included as qualifying research expenses if employees dedicate at least 80% of their time to R&D activities. For an R&D Supervisor, salaries range from $106,770 to $139,980, with a midpoint of $122,420, making these wages eligible for consideration in R&D tax credits and incentives.

6. Do R&D jobs pay well?

R&D jobs can offer competitive salaries. For an R&D Supervisor, the salary ranges from a minimum of $106,770 to a maximum of $139,980, with a mid-salary of $122,420. This indicates that R&D positions can be quite lucrative, especially at higher levels of responsibility.

7. How much does a director of R&D make in the US?

As of January 27, 2025, the salary for an R&D Supervisor in the United States ranges from $106,770 to $139,980 annually, with a mid-salary of $122,420. This translates to approximately $51.31 to $67.31 per hour, or $2,206 to $2,692 per week, and $9,227 to $11,167 per month.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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