What are the main factors that influence a Research Director's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Research Director?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Research Director roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

How does experience change A Research Director's salary?

A Research Director's salary grows with experience: a Market Research Analyst IV (7+ years)earns $133,054, a Market Research Supervisor (7+ years)earns $106,705, a Market Research Manager (7+ years)earns $124,267, a Research Director (7+ years)earns $179,961, a VP of Market Research (7+ years)earns $220,444,

What are the highest paying states for a Research Director?

Research Director salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Research Director roles are District of Columbia $197,930, California $197,179, Massachusetts $194,551. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Research Director roles make?

Salaries for Research Director level roles vary by specialization: Epidemiology Research Director: $209,822; Human Factors Research Director: $209,410; Director Of Research: $205,560; Research and Development Director: $204,825; Pathology Research Director: $203,557.

Research Director Salary in Delaware

How much does a Research Director make in Delaware?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Director in Delaware is $181,036 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $87.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $208,964
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $166,113 to $195,655
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $152,526

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Research Director Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$195,655	$16,305	$3,763	$94
Average	$181,036	$15,086	$3,481	$87
25th Percentile	$166,113	$13,843	$3,194	$80

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Research Director Salaries

A 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 Research Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 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): $133,054
Early Career (1-2 years): $106,705
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $124,267
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $179,961
Expert (over 8 years): $220,444

Levels	Salary
Market Re... Level Research Director	$133,054
Market Re... Level Research Director	$106,705
Market Re... Level Research Director	$124,267
Research ... Level Research Director	$179,961
VP of Mar... Level Research Director	$220,444

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Research Director 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 Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $197,930.
California: $197,179.
Massachusetts: $194,551.

District of Columbia $197,930 California $197,179 Massachusetts $194,551 Washington $193,836 New Jersey $193,764 Alaska $193,514 Connecticut $191,047 New York $190,046

Hawaii $186,846 Rhode Island $185,345 Maryland $184,326 Minnesota $182,931 Colorado $182,395 Illinois $182,216 Oregon $181,537 Delaware $181,036

New Hampshire $180,722 Virginia $180,017 Pennsylvania $177,962 Nevada $176,925 North Dakota $176,585 Michigan $176,049 Wisconsin $175,852 Vermont $175,459

Texas $174,368 Maine $174,297 Arizona $174,190 Ohio $174,064 Georgia $172,420 Indiana $171,597 Wyoming $171,437 Utah $171,186

Iowa $171,079 Kansas $170,221 Louisiana $169,971 North Carolina $169,881 Missouri $169,846 Florida $169,148 Montana $168,773 Nebraska $168,415

Kentucky $168,219 South Carolina $167,504 Tennessee $167,057 Idaho $166,878 New Mexico $165,573 Oklahoma $165,287 Alabama $164,232 South Dakota $162,463

Arkansas $161,497 West Virginia $160,979 Mississippi $159,424

Top Paying Cities for Research Directors

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:

Lincoln: $180,221
Little Creek: $181,540
Magnolia: $181,279

Lincoln, DE $180,221 Little Creek, DE $181,540 Magnolia, DE $181,279 Milford, DE $180,679 Marydel, DE $180,976 Millsboro, DE $179,465 Millville, DE $179,742 Milton, DE $180,053

Nassau, DE $180,184 Ocean View, DE $179,712 Rehoboth Beach, DE $180,057 Seaford, DE $180,159 Selbyville, DE $179,413 Smyrna, DE $181,666 Viola, DE $180,829 Woodside, DE $181,315

Bear, DE $180,897 Newark, DE $180,829 Claymont, DE $181,199 Delaware City, DE $181,010 Hockessin, DE $180,813 Kirkwood, DE $180,976 Middletown, DE $181,045 Montchanin, DE $180,854

New Castle, DE $180,881 Odessa, DE $181,135 Port Penn, DE $181,256 Rockland, DE $180,872 Saint Georges, DE $180,988 Townsend, DE $181,267 Winterthur, DE $180,893 Lewes, DE $180,123

Wilmington, DE $180,822 Dover, DE $181,540 Dover Afb, DE $180,584 Bethany Beach, DE $179,522 Bethel, DE $179,708 Bridgeville, DE $180,132 Camden Wyoming, DE $181,029 Cheswold, DE $181,481

Clayton, DE $181,487 Dagsboro, DE $179,397 Delmar, DE $179,109 Ellendale, DE $179,653 Felton, DE $180,664 Fenwick Island, DE $179,436 Frankford, DE $179,124 Frederica, DE $180,843

Georgetown, DE $179,329 Greenwood, DE $180,160 Harbeson, DE $179,520 Harrington, DE $180,436 Hartly, DE $180,997 Houston, DE $180,178 Kenton, DE $181,496 Laurel, DE $179,222

Yorklyn, DE $180,867

Research Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Research Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Research Director positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Research Director

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services	$217,244	$104.0	20%
Insurance	$217,244	$104.0	20%
Software & Networking	$217,244	$104.0	20%
Internet	$199,140	$96.0	10%
Pharmaceuticals	$199,140	$96.0	10%

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

Understanding how a 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 July 01, 2026

$166,113

Average $181,036/year

$195,655

$13,843

Average $15,086/month

$16,305

$3,194

Average $3,481/week

$3,763

$80

Average $87/hour

$94

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$195,655	$16,305	$3,763	$94
Average	$181,036	$15,086	$3,481	$87
25th Percentile	$166,113	$13,843	$3,194	$80

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