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Research and Development Executive Salary in the United States

How much does a Research and Development Executive make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research and Development Executive in the United States is $116,079 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $135,082
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $107,452 to $126,026
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $99,598
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $107,452 10% $99,598 90% $135,082 75% $126,026 $116,079 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Research and Development Executive Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $126,026 $10,502 $2,424 $61
Average $116,079 $9,673 $2,232 $56
25th Percentile $107,452 $8,954 $2,066 $52
Check out Research and Development Executive Job Openings in the United States
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Executive Director Clinical Platforms&amp Product Development

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Key Factors That Influence Research and Development Executive Salaries

A Research and Development Executive'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 Research and Development Executive Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Research and Development Executive'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): $112,500
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $112,759
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $113,794
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $118,273
  • Expert (over 8 years): $120,468
Levels Salary
Entry Level Research and Development Executive$112,500
Intermediate Level Research and Development Executive$112,759
Senior Level Research and Development Executive$113,794
Specialist Level Research and Development Executive$118,273
Expert Level Research and Development Executive$120,468
$112,500 0 yr
$112,759 < 2 yrs
$113,794 2-4 yrs
$118,273 5-8 yrs
$120,468 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Research and Development Executive 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 and Development Executives. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $128,523.
  • California: $128,035.
  • Massachusetts: $126,329.

Top Paying Cities for Research and Development Executives

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: $146,410
  • San Francisco: $144,807
  • Oakland: $141,756

What Skills Can Increase a Research and Development Executive's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.08% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Computer Vision (Mentioned in 2.84% Job Postings): Designing and utilizing digital systems process, analyze, and interpret visual data.
  • Deep Learning (Mentioned in 2.06% Job Postings): Analyzing, developing, and applying big data and algorithms to imitate how humans think and learn.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.08%
Computer Vision 2.84%
Deep Learning 2.06%
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 and Development Executive's salary.
  • Deep Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Computer Vision: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Artificial Intelligence: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Deep Learning
 $126,526
9%
Computer Vision
 $124,205
7%
Artificial Intelligence
 $123,044
6%
Machine Learning
 $123,044
6%
Computer Science
 $120,722
4%
Algorithms
 $120,722
4%
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Research and Development Executive Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Research and Development Executive roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Research and Development Executive positions in Telecom or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research and Development Executive as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Research and Development Executive

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$174,118$84.050%

How Education impacts a Research and Development Executive's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Research and Development Executives enter the field with a Bachelor'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 Research and Development Executive with a Bachelor's Degree is between $115,563 and $123,542).

Research and Development Executive Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Research and Development Executive
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 14.7%
Associates 0.9%
Bachelors 14.7%
Masters 25.7%
Doctorate 58.7%
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Research and Development Executive Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Research and Development Executive'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 September 01, 2026
$107,452
Average $116,079/year
$126,026
$8,954
Average $9,673/month
$10,502
$2,066
Average $2,232/week
$2,424
$52
Average $56/hour
$61
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $126,026 $10,502 $2,424 $61
Average $116,079 $9,673 $2,232 $56
25th Percentile $107,452 $8,954 $2,066 $52

Salaries of jobs related to Research and Development Executive

Salary Trends for Research and Development Executive

Salaries for a Research and Development Executive can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $118,569 in 2023 to around $117,297 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Research and Development Executive salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Research and Development Executive Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$118,569
2024
$118,967
2025
$117,297
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $118,569
2024 $118,967
2025 $117,297
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Research and Development Executive

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Research and Development Executive

Here are companies hiring for Research and Development Executive and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Research and Development Executive Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Research and Development Executive job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Vice President Executive Search& Business Development

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

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    6 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Executive Director Business Development Aerospace& Defense Manufacturing

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Executive Director, Business Development, Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing. About the Company. Respected manufacturing organization. Industry. Electrical/... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Executive Vice President Business Development& Strategy

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

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    4 Days Ago

  • 3 Years on a Rock

    Columbus, OH

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    Columbus, OH

    Executive Assistant

    Check Off Your List | Columbus, OH

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  • Veo

    Columbus, OH

    E-Scooter Delivery Driver

    Veo | Columbus, OH

    E-Scooter Delivery Driver. Columbus, Ohio, United States. At Veo, our mission is to end car dependency by making clean transportation accessible to all. A ... more

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FAQ about Research and Development Executive

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Research and Development Executive?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Research and Development Executive roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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