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Executive Director Regulatory Affairs Salary in the United States

How much does an Executive Director Regulatory Affairs make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Executive Director Regulatory Affairs in the United States is $309,292 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $149.

However, an Executive Director Regulatory Affairs's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $359,436
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $278,988 to $335,539
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $251,398
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Executive Director Regulatory Affairs Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Executive Director Regulatory Affairs Salaries

An Executive Director Regulatory Affairs's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Executive Director Regulatory Affairs Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Executive Director Regulatory Affairs's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $133,362
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $153,506
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $181,032
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $204,801
  • Expert (over 8 years): $303,824
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Regulatory Affairs Specialist IV less than 1 year $133,362
Regulatory Affairs Manager 1-2 years $153,506
Regulatory Affairs Senior Manager 2-4 years $181,032
Regulatory Affairs Director 5-8 years $204,801
Executive Director Regulatory Affairs over 8 years $303,824

How Do Executive Director Regulatory Affairs Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Executive Director Regulatory Affairs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $342,448.
  • California: $341,149.
  • Massachusetts: $336,602.

Top Paying Cities for Executive Director Regulatory Affairs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $390,110
  • San Francisco: $385,839
  • Oakland: $377,707

Executive Director Regulatory Affairs Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Executive Director Regulatory Affairs roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 56% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Executive Director Regulatory Affairs positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Executive Director Regulatory Affairs as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Executive Director Regulatory Affairs

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $402,080 $193.0 30%
Pharmaceuticals $371,150 $178.0 20%
Energy & Utilities $368,057 $177.0 19%
Aerospace & Defense $352,593 $170.0 14%
Software & Networking $352,593 $170.0 14%

How Education impacts an Executive Director Regulatory Affairs's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Executive Director Regulatory Affairs professionals enter the field with a Bachelor's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Executive Director Regulatory Affairs with a Bachelor's is between $278,583 and $304,317.

Executive Director Regulatory Affairs Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Executive Director Regulatory Affairs
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 2.7%
High School 24%
Associate's Degree 2.7%
Bachelor's Degree 24%
Master's Degree or MBA 38.7%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 34.7%
View as Graph

Executive Director Regulatory Affairs Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Executive Director Regulatory Affairs's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$278,988
Average $309,292/year
$335,539
$23,249
Average $25,774/month
$27,962
$5,365
Average $5,948/week
$6,453
$134
Average $149/hour
$161
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $335,539 $27,962 $6,453 $161
Average $309,292 $25,774 $5,948 $149
25th Percentile $278,988 $23,249 $5,365 $134

Most common benefits for Executive Director Regulatory Affairs

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Executive Director Regulatory Affairs

Here are companies hiring for Executive Director Regulatory Affairs and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Executive Director Regulatory Affairs Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Executive Director Regulatory Affairs job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Executive Director Regulatory Affairs

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Executive Director Regulatory Affairs?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Executive Director Regulatory Affairs roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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