Research and Development Executive Salary in the United States

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

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research and Development Executive in the United States is $116,050 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): $135,040
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $107,389 to $125,990
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $99,504
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View as table View as graph 25% $107,389 10% $99,504 90% $135,040 75% $125,990 $116,050 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 $125,990 $10,499 $2,423 $61
Average $116,050 $9,671 $2,232 $56
25th Percentile $107,389 $8,949 $2,065 $52
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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): $112,459
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $112,719
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $113,759
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $118,243
  • Expert (over 8 years): $120,435
Levels Salary
Entry Level Research and Development Executive$112,459
Intermediate Level Research and Development Executive$112,719
Senior Level Research and Development Executive$113,759
Specialist Level Research and Development Executive$118,243
Expert Level Research and Development Executive$120,435
$112,459 0 yr
$112,719 < 2 yrs
$113,759 2-4 yrs
$118,243 5-8 yrs
$120,435 > 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: $128,491.
  • California: $128,003.
  • Massachusetts: $126,297.

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: $146,374
  • San Francisco: $144,771
  • Oakland: $141,720

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
 $126,495
9%
Computer Vision
 $124,174
7%
Artificial Intelligence
 $123,013
6%
Machine Learning
 $123,013
6%
Computer Science
 $120,692
4%
Algorithms
 $120,692
4%
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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 May 01, 2026
$107,389
Average $116,050/year
$125,990
$8,949
Average $9,671/month
$10,499
$2,065
Average $2,232/week
$2,423
$52
Average $56/hour
$61
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $125,990 $10,499 $2,423 $61
Average $116,050 $9,671 $2,232 $56
25th Percentile $107,389 $8,949 $2,065 $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

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401(k)
Disability
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Pension
Time Off (days)
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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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