▼23%
$117,946
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
/ year
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
10%
$82k
MEDIAN
$118k
90%
$145k
The average salary for a Research Director is $117,946 in 2025
Base Salary
$82k - $145k
Bonus
$5k - $29k
Total Pay
$89k - $167k
Is Average Experienced Research Director with Research Analysis Skills Salary in Washington, District of Columbia 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?
EXPLORE BY:
Featured Content
‹
Remote Work
New research shows how to set pay for remote employees
Gender Pay Gap
New research shows that each woman experiences the disparity of gender pay gap in different ways, depending on her position, age, race and education.
Compensation Best Practices Report
From compensation planning to variable pay to pay equity analysis, we surveyed 4,900+ organizations on how they manage compensation.
Salary Budget Survey Report
See how organizations are shifting their salary budgets this year.
Retention Report
Get strategies you can use to retain top talent and learn how impactful employee retention really is.
Variable Pay Playbook
Before you decide whether variable pay is right for your org, get a deeper understanding of the variable pay options and the cultural impact of pay choices.
›
What is the Pay by Experience Level for Research Directors?
▼14%
What Do Research Directors Do?
Find your market worth – how it works:
Common Health Benefits for a Research Director
Medical
100%
Dental
88%
Vision
38%
Gender Breakdown for Research Directors
Female
100.0%
This data is based on 4 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
FAQs About Research Directors
What is the highest pay for Research Directors in Washington?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Research Director in Washington is $145k / year
What is the lowest pay for Research Directors in Washington?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Research Director in Washington is $82k / year
How can Research Directors increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Research 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 Director that oversees more junior Research Directors, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.