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Research and development director: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$167,220median pay per year, or $80.39 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $79,710lowest 10% earn less
  2. $119,43025th percentile
  3. $167,220median
  4. $221,54075th percentile
  5. $316,850top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Research and development directors fall under the BLS category natural sciences managers, and the median pay was $167,220 a year[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 8.2% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+8.2%[2]
Openings per year
9,200[5]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[6]

How much do research and development directors make?

BLS counts these jobs as Natural Sciences Managers. The median pay was $167,220 a year, or $80.39 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $180,250 a year, or $86.66 an hour[7]. For comparison, the median for all occupations was $50,980 a year[4].

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $79,710, and the 25th percentile was $119,430[3]. At the top, the 75th percentile was $221,540 and the 90th percentile was $316,850[3]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[8].

Point Annual wage Source
10th percentile[3] $79,710
25th percentile[3] $119,430
Median[1] $167,220
75th percentile[3] $221,540
90th percentile[3] $316,850

By the hour, the 10th percentile was $38.32 and the 90th percentile was $152.33[9]. These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits[10]. About 108,690 people held these jobs in May 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

Massachusetts had the highest state median at $267,290, followed by Connecticut at $210,670 and California at $210,230[12]. New Jersey came fourth at $207,030[12].

California had the most jobs at 14,950, then Massachusetts at 10,590 and New Jersey at 10,040[13]. Pennsylvania had 7,980 and Texas had 7,470[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Boston-Cambridge-Newton had the highest median at $291,000, then San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara at $263,810 and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont at $225,230[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs at 10,100, with a median of $180,460[15]. Boston followed with 9,570 jobs[15].

Show median pay in 47 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Massachusetts[12]$267,29010,590
Connecticut$210,6701,190
California$210,23014,950
New Jersey$207,03010,040
Washington$182,4802,490
North Carolina$173,8706,010
Maryland$168,6204,820
Illinois$159,6702,810
District of Columbia$156,7301,540
Kansas$153,820240
Colorado$152,7301,640
Virginia$150,5701,470
Oregon$143,1201,700
Maine$141,360430
West Virginia$138,010160
Pennsylvania$137,9007,980
Ohio$137,1701,560
Minnesota$136,4501,530
New York$134,6805,690
New Hampshire$134,010240
Alabama$133,470370
North Dakota$131,370140
Vermont$131,290290
South Carolina$131,140780
Alaska$130,590710
Rhode Island$130,480200
Texas$129,9607,470
Missouri$129,4101,230
Michigan$129,0702,220
Wisconsin$128,8901,070
South Dakota$128,140180
Kentucky$126,440400
Arizona$124,920900
Idaho$124,800610
Tennessee$124,530880
Nebraska$120,620550
Arkansas$119,430340
Mississippi$119,430210
Montana$119,430370
Utah$119,430n/a
Louisiana$115,950n/a
Nevada$112,260320
Oklahoma$112,260310
Florida$112,2204,370
Iowa$109,760610
Wyoming$109,300150
Indiana$108,2501,670
Hawaii$107,810510

How to become a research and development director

The path runs through science work first.

Degree programs usually include math and physics along with natural sciences, and business courses can help[19]. Some jobs need a state license. For example, several states require laboratory directors to be licensed[20]. Professional certification is typically not required[21]. Some jobs may ask for first aid and CPR certification[22].

In an ONET survey of 25 workers, 35% said a bachelor's degree was required, 27% said post-doctoral training, 15% a master's degree and 14% a doctoral degree[23]. This is a small survey. ONET places the job in Job Zone Five, which means extensive preparation is needed[24]. On-the-job training is listed as none[6].

What research and development directors do

O*NET describes the work as planning, directing or coordinating activities in fields such as life sciences, physical sciences, math, statistics and research and development[25]. Typical tasks include:

Job titles reported by workers include lab manager, research administrator and environmental program manager[27]. Skills the Handbook highlights are communication, critical thinking, interpersonal skills, leadership and problem solving[28][29][30][31][32].

Where they work

Most of this work happens in offices or laboratories. Some managers work in manufacturing or warehouse sites, and others go outdoors to watch fieldwork[33]. Lab settings may call for safety gear such as a respirator, and outdoor work can mean travel and varied weather[34].

The largest employer group was research and development in the physical, engineering and life sciences, at 38%[35]. Most managers work full time, some work more than 40 hours a week, and evening or weekend work can come up[36].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 8.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 112,200 to 121,500 jobs, a gain of 9,200[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[37]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[2].

About 9,200 openings a year are projected on average[5]. Openings include jobs that open when people retire or switch occupations, and new jobs as well[5]. Each year, 1.7% of workers leave the labor force and 5.4% move to a different occupation[38].

Is it a good fit?

The facts suggest this job suits people who already enjoy science and are ready to lead others. Pay is well above the all-occupations median[1][4], and growth is faster than the all-occupations rate[2][37]. The route is long, because BLS lists a bachelor's degree plus 5 years or more of related experience[6]. Pay also varies widely, from $79,710 at the 10th percentile to $316,850 at the 90th[3].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[39].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a research and development director make?
BLS data for natural sciences managers show a median of $167,220 a year, or $80.39 an hour, in May 2025[1].
What degree do you need to be a research and development director?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education, plus 5 years or more of related work experience[6]. Some employers require or prefer a master's degree or Ph.D.[16].
Is research and development director a growing field?
BLS projects 8.2% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][37].
What is the highest paying state for natural sciences managers?
Massachusetts, with a median of $267,290 a year[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Natural Sciences Managers in the US was $167,220 per year and $80.39 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Natural Sciences Managers is projected to grow 8.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 112,200 to 121,500 jobs (a change of +9,200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Natural Sciences Managers: 10th percentile $79,710, 25th percentile $119,430, 75th percentile $221,540, 90th percentile $316,850. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 9,200 openings for Natural Sciences Managers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Natural Sciences Managers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: 5 years or more; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Natural Sciences Managers was $180,250 per year and $86.66 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Natural Sciences Managers: 10th percentile $38.32, 25th percentile $57.42, 75th percentile $106.51, 90th percentile $152.33. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 108,690 people were employed as Natural Sciences Managers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Natural Sciences Managers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Natural Sciences Managers jobs: California 14,950; Massachusetts 10,590; New Jersey 10,040; Pennsylvania 7,980; Texas 7,470. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Natural Sciences Managers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $291,000; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $263,810; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $225,230; Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR $220,120; Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $217,480; Kennewick-Richland, WA $215,860; Worcester, MA $212,600; New Haven, CT $210,670. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Natural Sciences Managers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 10,100 (median $180,460); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 9,570 (median $291,000); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 5,890 (median $169,060); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 5,530 (median $225,230); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 5,510 (median $172,900); San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA 2,890 (median $207,200). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 11-9121.00 survey of workers (25 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 35%, Post-Doctoral Training 27%, Master's Degree 15%, Doctoral Degree 14%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 7% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET 11-9121.00: Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET description of Natural Sciences Managers. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Natural Sciences Managers. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET 11-9121.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Analytical Services Manager, Chemical Engineer Supervisor, Chemical Process Exploration Manager, Environmental Program Manager, Lab Manager (Laboratory Manager), Natural Sciences Manager, Research Administrator, Research and Development Director (R and D Director). O*NET OnLine
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of natural sciences managers in 2025: Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences 38%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  38. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Natural Sciences Managers: 1.7% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  39. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.