What is the average Top Research Development Executive salary for San Diego, CA?
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As of June 01, 2026, the average Top Research Development Executive salary in San Diego, CA is $400,349. The chart below represents localized salaries for some of our most popular Top Research Development Executive job titles in San Diego, CA. Salaries can vary greatly depending on numerous factors, including position, location, years of experience, and level of education. Salary.com’s team of Certified Compensation Professionals analyzed survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at companies of all sizes and industries to compile a range of salaries for various Top Research Development Executive job titles in San Diego, CA. Apply your personal criteria to one of the job titles below to get your personalized salary estimate.
Top Research Development Executive Salaries in San Diego, CA
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Top Sector Executive | $571,910 | $274.96 | San Diego, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Top Division Executive | $421,492 | $202.64 | San Diego, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Research and Development Director | $258,785 | $124.42 | San Diego, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Research and Development Engineer | $136,879 | $65.81 | San Diego, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Research and Development Manager | $174,982 | $84.13 | San Diego, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| VP of Research & Development | $297,002 | $142.79 | San Diego, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Research and Development Senior Manager | $214,052 | $102.91 | San Diego, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Top Subsidiary Executive | $512,846 | $246.56 | San Diego, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Research and Development Supervisor | $136,917 | $65.83 | San Diego, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Research and Development Associate I | $86,189 | $41.44 | San Diego, CA | June 01, 2026 |
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Plans and directs a sector's activities, policies, objectives, and initiatives according to the mission of the organization. Guides the strategic development, business planning, and goal and objective setting for the sector based on current environment and projected conditions for the sector. Oversees overall staff performance and development plans. Measures and analyzes the sector's financial performance and the overall status of the sector. Has broad knowledge and experience within the sector. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to top management. Manages a business unit, division, or corporate function with major organizational impact. Establishes overall direction and strategic initiatives for the given major function or line of business. Has acquired the business acumen and leadership experience to become a top function or division head. Top Sector Executive Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Business Sector Vice President, Chief Sector Executive, Chief Sector Officer, Top Sector Executive
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Plans and directs a division's activities, policies, objectives, and initiatives according to the mission of the organization. Ensures the division meets budgeted financial goals and objectives. May oversee accounting, business, financial, marketing, and engineering functions. May require a master's degree. Typically reports to top management. Manages a business unit, division, or corporate function with major organizational impact. Establishes/implements overall direction and strategic initiatives for the given major function or line of business. Typically requires 10+ years of progressive leadership experience. Has extensive knowledge of the overall departmental function. Top Division Executive Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Chief Division Executive, Chief Division Officer, Divisional Vice President, Top Division Executive
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Directs an organization's research and development policies, objectives, and initiatives. Develops research and development procedures and techniques to ensure consistent methods, documentation, and testing. Determines the scope of research projects and allocates resources to ensure they are on time and within budget. Monitors prototype testing to ensure quality, safety, and compliance and provides technical oversight to improve outcomes. Ensures research and development activities will maintain an organization's competitive position and profitability. Presents research findings, outcomes, and recommendations to senior management teams. Typically requires an advanced degree. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. Research and Development Director Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Product Research and Development Director, R & D Director, Research and Development Director
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Conducts research and development activities for an organization. Applies research theories, principles, and models when conducting experiments and research activities. Summarizes research results and communicates findings to internal and external bodies. Assesses the scope of research projects and ensures projects are on time and within budget. Develops technical documentation for all projects. May require an advanced degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. Research and Development Engineer Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:R & D Engineer, Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer, Research and Development EngineerCategory : Science and Research
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Manages the research and development programs to meet organizational needs and capitalize on potential new products. Implements research and development procedures and techniques to ensure consistent methods, documentation, and testing. Assesses the scope of research projects and ensures they are on time and within budget. Oversees complex research projects, analyzes results, and provides recommendations based on findings. May require a master's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes. Research and Development Manager Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Product Research and Development Manager, R & D Manager, Research and Development ManagerCategory : Science and Research
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Plans and oversees an organization's research and development policies, objectives, and initiatives. Leads research efforts to identify new technologies and other scientific concepts that can be used to improve current product offerings or create new products and services. Evaluates and recommends ideas for new products that may enhance the organization's competitive position and achieve growth in revenue and/or market share. Identifies and evaluates new technologies that improve and expand the organization's capabilities, processes, or products. May require a master's degree. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental function within a broader corporate function. Develops major goals to support broad functional objectives. Approves policies developed within various sub-functions and departments. Typically requires 8+ years of managerial experience. Comprehensive knowledge of the overall departmental function. VP of Research & Development Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:VP of Product Research & Development, VP of R & D, VP of Research, Development, and Innovation, VP of Research & Development
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Manages the research and development programs to meet organizational needs and capitalize on potential new products. Implements research and development procedures and techniques to ensure consistent methods, documentation, and testing. Assesses the scope of research projects and ensures they are on time and within budget. Oversees complex research projects, analyzes results, and provides recommendations based on findings. May require a master's degree. Typically reports to a director. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. Research and Development Senior Manager Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Product Research and Development Senior Manager, R & D Senior Manager, Research and Development Senior ManagerCategory : Science and Research
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Leads, plans and directs all aspects of a subsidiary organization's policies, objectives, and initiatives approved by the parent organization. Defines the vision and develops short and long-term goals and strategy that drive the achievement of maximum financial performance. Builds and leads a team of executives with required expertise and skills to deliver results on the goals and nurtures a culture that supports the organizations objectives. Develops budgets and allocates funding to support the strategy, and adjusts funding based on major expenditures. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of parent company. Manages a business unit, division, or corporate function with major organizational impact. Establishes overall direction and strategic initiatives for the given major function or line of business. Has acquired the business acumen and leadership experience to become a top function or division head. Top Subsidiary Executive Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Chief Subsidiary Executive, Chief Subsidiary Officer, Vice President of Subsidiary, Top Subsidiary Executive
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Supervises activities in the research and development function of an organization. Oversees and enables the development or improvement of products, components, technologies, or processes. Utilizes mathematical and scientific frameworks to compile and analyze data. Documents research and development methodologies and ensures adherence to scientific, engineering, and industry standards. Writes technical reports detailing procedures, outcomes, and observations. Conducts prototype testing to ensure quality, safety, and compliance with internal and external standards, regulations, and requirements. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Supervises a group of primarily para-professional level staffs. May also be a level above a supervisor within high volume administrative/production environments. Makes day-to-day decisions within or for a group/small department. Has some authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 3-5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. Thorough knowledge of functional area and department processes. Research and Development Supervisor Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Product Research and Development Supervisor, R & D Supervisor, Research and Development Supervisor
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Participates in research and design activities that develop or improve products, components, technologies, or processes. Utilizes mathematical and scientific frameworks to compile and analyze data. Documents research and development methodologies and ensures adherence to scientific, engineering, and industry standards. Writes technical reports detailing procedures, outcomes, and observations. Conducts prototype testing to ensure quality, safety, and compliance with internal and external standards, regulations, and requirements. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Research and Development Associate I Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Product Research and Development Associate I, R & D Support Associate I, Research and Development Associate I