How much does a Research And Development Associate make in the United States?
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The average Research And Development Associate salary in the United States is $193,868 as of June 01, 2026. The range for our most popular Research And Development Associate positions (listed below) typically falls between $70,262 and $317,474. Keep in mind that salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including position, education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Research And Development Associate's Annual Base Salary
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Research and Development Associate I | $79,627 | $38.28 | United States | June 01, 2026 |
| Research and Development Associate IV | $145,885 | $70.14 | United States | June 01, 2026 |
| Research and Development Associate V | $173,774 | $83.55 | United States | June 01, 2026 |
| Research and Development Associate II | $94,948 | $45.65 | United States | June 01, 2026 |
| Research and Development Associate III | $117,949 | $56.71 | United States | June 01, 2026 |
| Research and Development Engineer | $126,458 | $60.80 | United States | June 01, 2026 |
| Research and Development Manager | $161,661 | $77.72 | United States | June 01, 2026 |
| Research and Development Director | $239,085 | $114.94 | United States | June 01, 2026 |
| VP of Research & Development | $274,392 | $131.92 | United States | June 01, 2026 |
| Research and Development Senior Manager | $197,757 | $95.08 | United States | June 01, 2026 |
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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. View Research and Development Associate I SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Product Research and Development Associate I, R & D Support Associate I, Research and Development Associate I
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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 highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience. View Research and Development Associate IV SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Product Research and Development Associate IV, R & D Support Associate IV, Research and Development Associate IV
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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. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience. View Research and Development Associate V SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Product Research and Development Associate V, R & D Support Associate V, Research and Development Associate V
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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. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. View Research and Development Associate II SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Product Research and Development Associate II, R & D Support Associate II, Research and Development Associate II
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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 generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. View Research and Development Associate III SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Product Research and Development Associate III, R & D Support Associate III, Research and Development Associate III
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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. View Research and Development Engineer SalaryAlternate 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. View Research and Development Manager SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Product Research and Development Manager, R & D Manager, Research and Development ManagerCategory : Science and Research
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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. View Research and Development Director SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Product Research and Development Director, R & D Director, Research and Development Director
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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. View VP of Research & Development SalaryAlternate 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. View Research and Development Senior Manager SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Product Research and Development Senior Manager, R & D Senior Manager, Research and Development Senior ManagerCategory : Science and Research