▲25%
$92,989
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
/ year
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
10%
$39k
MEDIAN
$93k
90%
$144k
The average salary for a Research & Development (R&D) Director is $92,989 in 2025
Base Salary
$39k - $144k
Bonus
$7k - $15k
Total Pay
$39k - $157k
Is Average Early-Career Research & Development (R&D) Director with Product Development Skills Salary your job title? Find out what you should be paid
Use our tool to get a personalized report on your market worth.What's this?
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What is the Pay by Experience Level for Research & Development (R&D) Directors?
What Do Research & Development (R&D) Directors Do?
Find your market worth – how it works:
Common Health Benefits for a Research & Development (R&D) Director
Medical
91%
Dental
91%
Vision
64%
None
9%
Gender Breakdown for Research & Development (R&D) Directors
Male
70.0%
Female
30.0%
This data is based on 10 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
FAQs About Research & Development (R&D) Directors
What is the highest pay for Research & Development (R&D) Directors?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Research & Development (R&D) Director is $144k / year
What is the lowest pay for Research & Development (R&D) Directors?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Research & Development (R&D) Director is $39k / year
How can Research & Development (R&D) Directors increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Research & Development (R&D) Director is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Research & Development (R&D) Director that oversees more junior Research & Development (R&D) Directors, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.