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Human Factors Research Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Human Factors Research Director make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Human Factors Research Director in the United States is $209,405 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $101.

However, a Human Factors Research Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $243,912
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $192,464 to $227,467
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $177,040
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Key Factors That Influence Human Factors Research Director Salaries

A Human Factors Research 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Human Factors Research Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Human Factors Research 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $199,038
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $200,555
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $202,578
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $205,612
  • Expert (over 8 years): $209,405
Levels Salary
Entry Level Human Factors Research Director$199,038
Intermediate Level Human Factors Research Director$200,555
Senior Level Human Factors Research Director$202,578
Specialist Level Human Factors Research Director$205,612
Expert Level Human Factors Research Director$209,405
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How Do Human Factors Research Directors 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 Human Factors Research Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $231,853.
  • California: $230,974.
  • Massachusetts: $227,895.

Top Paying Cities for Human Factors Research Director

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: $264,123
  • San Francisco: $261,231
  • Oakland: $255,725

Human Factors Research Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Human Factors Research Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $234,417. While startup companies pay approximate $198,311.

Human Factors Research Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $198,311
Growth Stage 51~500 $209,737
Established 501~5000 $226,371
Enterprise 5000+ $234,417

Human Factors Research Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Human Factors Research Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 53% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 26% above the average. In contrast, Human Factors Research Director positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Human Factors Research Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Human Factors Research Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$263,850$127.026%
Pharmaceuticals$253,380$122.021%
Financial Services$242,910$117.016%
Biotechnology$240,816$116.015%
Internet$238,722$115.014%

Human Factors Research Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Human Factors Research 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
$192,464
Average $209,405/year
$227,467
$16,039
Average $17,450/month
$18,956
$3,701
Average $4,027/week
$4,374
$93
Average $101/hour
$109
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $227,467 $18,956 $4,374 $109
Average $209,405 $17,450 $4,027 $101
25th Percentile $192,464 $16,039 $3,701 $93

Human Factors Research Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Human Factors Research Director

Next Role

Advancement

For a Human Factors Research Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the VP of Research & Development role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $273,541 - a projected growth of 31% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Human Factors Research Director

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

Common company salaries for Human Factors Research Director

Here are companies hiring for Human Factors Research Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Human Factors Research Director

1. Where can a Human Factors Research Director earn the most?

A Human Factors Research Director'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 Human Factors Research Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Human Factors Research Director is $264,123.

2. What is the highest pay for Human Factors Research Director?

The highest pay for Human Factors Research Director is $243,912.

3. What is the lowest pay for Human Factors Research Director?

The lowest pay for Human Factors Research Director is $177,040.

4. What are the responsibilities of Human Factors Research Director?

Sets the vision and research agenda for how people interact with products, systems, and services. Aligns user-centered research with business and product strategy, ensuring insights inform design and operational decisions. Prioritizes research investments and establishes standards for methods, ethics, and quality. Translates complex behavioral and usability findings into actionable recommendations for executives and stakeholders. Shapes organizational culture by embedding human-centered thinking into strategy, innovation, and risk management. Typically requires a master's degree in human factors, usability engineering, cognitive psychology. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Human Factors Research Director?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Human Factors Research Director roles, with salaries approximately 26% 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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