As of April 22, 2025, the average annual salary for a Research and Development Director in the United Kingdom is £105,401, with an hourly rate of £51, according to Salary.com Global Salary IQ data. The average salary ranges from £86,196 to £116,488, influenced by factors like location, education, experience, and more.

Global Market Data
25TH   £86,196
50TH(Median)   £105,401
75TH   £116,488
Research and Development Director Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
25th Percentile Research and Development Director Salary £86,196 United Kingdom April 22, 2025
50th Percentile Research and Development Director Salary £105,401 United Kingdom April 22, 2025
75th Percentile Research and Development Director Salary £116,488 United Kingdom April 22, 2025

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How Much Does a Research and Development Director Make by Hour, Week, Month, and Year?

Last Updated on April 22, 2025

Salary.com provides you with accurate and diversified Research and Development Director salary data based on specialized databases to help you get a fairer salary. The average annual pay for a Research and Development Director is about £105,401 a year, this translates to an approximate hourly rate of £51, a monthly salary of about £8,783, and a weekly pay of around £2,027. Click the switch button below to see more details about Research and Development Director hourly pay, weekly pay, monthly pay, and so on.

How Much Do Research and Development Directors Earn at Different Levels in 2025?

A Research and Development Director's salary varies significantly based on experience level. Entry typically earn £85,336 - £97,662, while Intermediate make £87,056 - £99,095, Senior earn £89,636 - £101,101, Specialist earn £92,789 - £103,968, Expert can reach £95,942 - £106,228 or more, depending on the company and location.

Levels Salary
Entry Level Research and Development Director £93,649
Intermediate Level Research and Development Director £95,369
Senior Level Research and Development Director £97,662
Specialist Level Research and Development Director £100,528
Expert Level Research and Development Director £103,395
£93,649 0 yr
£95,369 < 2 yrs
£97,662 2-4 yrs
£100,528 5-8 yrs
£103,395 > 8 yrs
Entry Level 11%
Intermediate Level 10%
Senior Level 7%
Specialist Level 5%
Expert Level 2%
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Last Updated on April 22, 2025

What are the Highest Paying Cities in the United Kingdom for Research and Development Director?

The top 3 highest-paying cities in the United Kingdom for Research and Development Director are London, Brighton and Hove, and Manchester. In London, the average salary is £113,833 per year, while Brighton and Hove offers £106,184, and Manchester pays around £101,032 annually.

Which Job Pays More: Product Research and Development Director or Research and Development Director?

As of April 22, 2025 , a Product Research and Development Director makes less than a Research and Development Director. A Product Research and Development Director earns an average annual salary of £93,944. And a Research and Development Director earns an average annual salary of £105,401.

Job Title Salary Range in GBP
Product Research and Development Director
£71,688
£116,955
Director Product Research and Development
£87,254
£111,236
Research and Development Manager
£58,651
£94,271
Product Development Director
£92,021
£117,311

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