Chief Research & Development Officer Salary in the United States

How much does a Chief Research & Development Officer make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Research & Development Officer in the United States is $391,028 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $188.

However, a Chief Research & Development Officer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $417,639
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $352,019 to $404,957
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $316,503
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View as table View as graph 25% $352,019 10% $316,503 90% $417,639 75% $404,957 $391,028 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Chief Research & Development Officer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $404,957 $33,746 $7,788 $195
Average $391,028 $32,586 $7,520 $188
25th Percentile $352,019 $29,335 $6,770 $169
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Key Factors That Influence Chief Research & Development Officer Salaries

A Chief Research & Development Officer'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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Chief Research & Development Officer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chief Research & Development Officer'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:

  • Research and Development Senior Manager (5+ years): $177,722
  • Research and Development Director (5+ years): $204,825
  • VP of Research & Development (5+ years): $273,493
  • SVP of Research & Development (5+ years): $331,392
  • Chief Research & Development Officer (5+ years): $391,028
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Research and Development Senior Manager5+ years$177,722
Research and Development Director5+ years$204,825
VP of Research & Development5+ years$273,493
SVP of Research & Development5+ years$331,392
Chief Research & Development Officer5+ years$391,028
$177,722 Research ...
$204,825 Research ...
$273,493 VP of Res...
$331,392 SVP of Re...
$391,028 Chief Res...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Chief Research & Development Officers

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: $493,204
  • San Francisco: $487,804
  • Oakland: $477,523

Chief Research & Development Officer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chief Research & Development Officer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $437,362. While startup companies pay approximate $369,877.

Chief Research & Development Officer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$369,877
Growth Stage51~500$391,203
Established501~5000$422,356
Enterprise5000+$437,362

Chief Research & Development Officer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chief Research & Development Officer 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 Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Chief Research & Development Officer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chief Research & Development Officer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chief Research & Development Officer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$430,131$207.010%
Biotechnology$430,131$207.010%
Business Services$430,131$207.010%
Chemicals$430,131$207.010%
Construction$430,131$207.010%

Chief Research & Development Officer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chief Research & Development Officer'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$352,019
Average $391,028/year
$404,957
$29,335
Average $32,586/month
$33,746
$6,770
Average $7,520/week
$7,788
$169
Average $188/hour
$195
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $404,957 $33,746 $7,788 $195
Average $391,028 $32,586 $7,520 $188
25th Percentile $352,019 $29,335 $6,770 $169

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Most common benefits for Chief Research & Development Officer

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FAQ about Chief Research & Development Officer

1. Where can a Chief Research & Development Officer earn the most?

A Chief Research & Development Officer's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Chief Research & Development Officer earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Chief Research & Development Officer is $493,204.

2. What is the highest pay for Chief Research & Development Officer?

The highest pay for Chief Research & Development Officer is $417,639.

3. What is the lowest pay for Chief Research & Development Officer?

The lowest pay for Chief Research & Development Officer is $316,503.

4. What are the responsibilities of Chief Research & Development Officer?

Provides leadership and oversight to an organization's research and development function. Collaborates with senior leadership to understand business objectives and develop research and development strategies that enhance the organization's competitive position and achieve growth in revenue and/or market share. Maintains an organization's competitive position and profitability by formulating research and development programs, policies, and procedures. Develops research and development objectives, budgets, and milestones to ensure alignment with the organization's mission, vision, and goals. Requires a master's degree. Typically reports to Chief Executive Officer (CEO). C-Suite level management. Develops functional or business unit strategy for an organization. Executes multiple high impact initiatives to achieve organizational goals. Defines vision, strategy, and focus for a major functional or business unit. Substantial experience with setting key metrics like KPIs or OKRs and shaping plans to meet objectives. Typically requires progressive leadership experience in senior management roles. Has expert level knowledge of the overall departmental function. Demonstrated experience in developing and executing long term business strategies.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Chief Research & Development Officer?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Chief Research & Development Officer roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

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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