The salary of a Research and Development Manager in the United States varies depending on several factors, including experience, location, education level, marketing trend and company sizes.
As of March 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Research and Development Manager in the United States is $157,884. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $127,691 to a high of $190,592, with most professionals earning between $142,080 and $175,004.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $175,004 | $14,584 | $3,365 | $84 |
| Average | $157,884 | $13,157 | $3,036 | $76 |
| 25th Percentile | $142,080 | $11,840 | $2,732 | $68 |
An entry-level Research and Development Manager with less than 1 year of experience earns about $150,029. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $150,727. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $152,358. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $154,221, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $157,617.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Research and Development Manager | $150,029 |
| Intermediate Level Research and Development Manager | $150,727 |
| Senior Level Research and Development Manager | $152,358 |
| Specialist Level Research and Development Manager | $154,221 |
| Expert Level Research and Development Manager | $157,617 |
| Entry Level | 5% |
| Mid Level | 5% |
| Senior Level | 4% |
| Top Level | 2% |
| Experienced | 0% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of March 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Research and Development Manager compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $149,616 in 2023 to approximately $150,286 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Research and Development Manager salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
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Here are companies hiring for Research and Development Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $157,884 | 66.3% | ||
| Bonus | $17,109 | 7.2% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $12,991 | 5.5% | ||
| 401K/403B | $7,350 | 3.1% | ||
| Disability | $3,500 | 1.5% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 3.5% | ||
| Pension | $9,450 | 4.0% | ||
| Time Off | $21,538 | 9.0% | ||
| Total Compensation | $238,173 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| High School | 1.4% |
| Associates | 2.0% |
| Bachelors | 21.5% |
| Masters | 27.2% |
| Doctorate | 47.9% |
What Am I Worth?
The average annual salary of Research and Development Manager is $157,884. In case you are finding an easy salary calculator, the average hourly pay of Research and Development Manager is $76; the average weekly pay of Research and Development Manager is $3,036; the average monthly pay of Research and Development Manager is $13,157.
A Research and Development Manager'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 Research and Development Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Research and Development Manager is $198,144.
The highest pay for Research and Development Manager is $190,592.
The lowest pay for Research and Development Manager is $127,691.
Research and Development Manager manages and directs the research and development programs to meet organizational needs and to capitalize on potential new products. Develops and implements research and development procedures and techniques. Being a Research and Development Manager oversees complex research projects, analyzes results and provides recommendations based on findings. Assesses the scope of research projects and ensures they are on time and within budget. Additionally, Research and Development Manager may require an advanced degree. Typically reports to a head of unit/director. The Research and Development Manager manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Extensive knowledge of department processes. To be a Research and Development Manager typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 to 3 years supervisory experience may be required.
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Research and Development: Research and development (R&D, R+D, or R'n'D), known in Europe as research and technological development (RTD), refers to innovative activities undertaken by corporations or governments in developing new services or products, or improving existing services or products. Research and development constitutes the first stage of development of a potential new service or the production process. R&D activities differ from institution to institution, with two primary models of an R&D department either staffed by engineers and tasked with directly developing new products, or staffed with industrial scientists and tasked with applied research in scientific or technological fields, which may facilitate future product development. R&D differs from the vast majority of corporate activities in that it is not intended to yield immediate profit, and generally carries greater risk and an uncertain return on investment. However R&D is crucial for acquiring larger shares of the market through the marketisation of new products.
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