Research Compliance Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Research Compliance Manager make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Compliance Manager in the United States is $158,324 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $76.

However, a Research Compliance Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $184,596
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $143,634 to $172,076
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $130,260

Key Factors That Influence Research Compliance Manager Salaries

A Research Compliance Manager'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 Research Compliance Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Research Compliance Manager'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): $156,284
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $156,896
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $158,324
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $159,956
  • Expert (over 8 years): $162,912
Levels Salary
Entry Level Research Compliance Manager$156,284
Intermediate Level Research Compliance Manager$156,896
Senior Level Research Compliance Manager$158,324
Specialist Level Research Compliance Manager$159,956
Expert Level Research Compliance Manager$162,912

How Do Research Compliance Manager 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 Research Compliance Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $175,296.
  • California: $174,631.
  • Massachusetts: $172,304.

Top Paying Cities for Research Compliance Managers

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: $199,694
  • San Francisco: $197,508
  • Oakland: $193,345

What Skills Can Increase a Research Compliance Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Presentation (Mentioned in 8.22% Job Postings): Presentation conveys information from a speaker to an audience. Presentations are typically demonstrations, introduction, lecture, or speech meant to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate, build goodwill, or present a new idea/product.
  • Case Management (Mentioned in 2.74% Job Postings): Connecting patients with suitable healthcare providers, resources, and services to ensure they receive optimal, cost-effective care.
  • Legal Compliance (Mentioned in 1.03% Job Postings): Legal compliance generally refers to behaviours and practices that are conducted in accordance with supra- national and/or national and/or state and/or local laws of the country or countries in which the business operates.
Skills Demand Percentage
Presentation 8.22%
Case Management 2.74%
Legal Compliance 1.03%

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 Research Compliance Manager's salary.

  • Legal Documents: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Product Quality: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Contract Management: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Legal Documents $186,822
18%
Product Quality $185,239
17%
Contract Management $178,906
13%

Research Compliance Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Research Compliance Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 43% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Research Compliance Manager positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research Compliance Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Research Compliance Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$189,989$91.020%
Internet$186,822$90.018%
Biotechnology$182,073$88.015%
Energy & Utilities$177,323$85.012%
Insurance$174,156$84.010%

Research Compliance Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Research Compliance Manager'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
$143,634
Average $158,324/year
$172,076
$11,970
Average $13,194/month
$14,340
$2,762
Average $3,045/week
$3,309
$69
Average $76/hour
$83
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $172,076 $14,340 $3,309 $83
Average $158,324 $13,194 $3,045 $76
25th Percentile $143,634 $11,970 $2,762 $69

Most common benefits for Research Compliance Manager

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

Common company salaries for Research Compliance Manager

Here are companies hiring for Research Compliance Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Research Compliance Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Research Compliance Manager?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Research Compliance Manager roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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.)

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