Salary guide, May 2025
Director of R&D pay, United States
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Architectural and Engineering Managers in the United States was $171,270 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $139,360 and $212,500.
Also searched as: Head of Product Development. These titles share this page because BLS reports them under one occupation.
Broader occupation · SOC 11-9041 Architectural and Engineering Managers
BLS measures this broader occupation across industries. It does not publish a separate wage for this manufacturing title.
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $120,810 | $139,360 | $171,270 | $212,500 | $262,760 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $58.08 | $67.00 | $82.34 | $102.16 | $126.33 |
BLS estimated 220,260 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 11-9041 Architectural and Engineering Managers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
How does pay compare in the target metros?
| Metro | Median | 25th to 75th | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $167,160 | $132,350 to $203,900 | 1,610 | 0.4 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $169,310 | $137,270 to $205,740 | 1,480 | 0.72 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $177,990 | $158,600 to $213,580 | 1,780 | 0.89 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $169,780 | $139,040 to $208,590 | 1,850 | 1.76 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $183,890 | $157,290 to $222,800 | 7,580 | 0.56 |
| Northern New Jersey within New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $183,890 | $157,290 to $222,800 | 7,580 | 0.56 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $172,160 | $141,460 to $219,080 | 5,970 | 1.04 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $163,430 | $133,100 to $200,400 | 6,670 | 1.04 |
Rank every metro for Director of R&D
What should you know about pay by manufacturing industry, United States?
Same BLS occupation, national estimates for each manufacturing industry (NAICS) BLS publishes, May 2025. Industry names are BLS labels.
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing$192,800
- Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing$183,950
- Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing$179,720
- Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing$179,270
- Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing$179,100
- Animal Slaughtering and Processing$178,790
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$178,170
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$178,170
- Communications Equipment Manufacturing$178,010
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing$177,090
- Transportation Equipment Manufacturing$176,340
- Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing$172,680
- Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing$171,190
- Motor Vehicle Manufacturing$170,820
- Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills$169,750
Bars show up to 15 industries with exact annual medians. The table lists every published industry.
| NAICS | Industry | Employment | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-33 | Manufacturing | 77,280 | $137,220 | $169,690 | $210,340 |
| 334000 | Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | 19,820 | $158,830 | $179,720 | $219,310 |
| 336000 | Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 18,950 | $149,140 | $176,340 | $215,580 |
| 333000 | Machinery Manufacturing | 11,930 | $130,970 | $162,200 | $196,430 |
| 336400 | Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 11,760 | $169,310 | $192,800 | $220,610 |
| 334500 | Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 9,080 | $158,840 | $177,090 | $216,340 |
| 3330A1 | Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 8,580 | $130,920 | $160,430 | $192,970 |
| 334400 | Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 7,670 | $161,720 | $183,950 | $225,030 |
| 325000 | Chemical Manufacturing | 5,310 | $137,290 | $168,900 | $199,930 |
| 332000 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 5,270 | $122,050 | $140,510 | $169,040 |
| 339000 | Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 4,190 | $137,590 | $169,200 | $206,810 |
| 335000 | Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | 4,150 | $132,920 | $160,140 | $192,140 |
| 336300 | Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 4,120 | $129,410 | $157,330 | $174,550 |
| 339100 | Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 3,240 | $144,010 | $171,190 | $210,000 |
| 3320A1 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | 2,810 | $124,820 | $147,400 | $169,630 |
| 325400 | Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 2,670 | $137,780 | $169,340 | $202,830 |
| 326000 | Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | 2,350 | $127,350 | $145,770 | $171,520 |
| 3250A1 | Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | 2,180 | $138,760 | $166,850 | $196,740 |
| 326100 | Plastics Product Manufacturing | 1,870 | $127,920 | $147,700 | $173,290 |
| 335900 | Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | 1,790 | $137,730 | $165,520 | $210,850 |
| 335300 | Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | 1,760 | $130,100 | $157,280 | $180,560 |
| 334200 | Communications Equipment Manufacturing | 1,690 | $159,680 | $178,010 | $219,080 |
| 336100 | Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | 1,470 | $142,060 | $170,820 | $209,450 |
| 3320A2 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 1,430 | $117,930 | $136,900 | $167,490 |
| 331000 | Primary Metal Manufacturing | 1,290 | $128,190 | $145,920 | $177,000 |
| 333600 | Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | 1,200 | $164,040 | $179,100 | $215,860 |
| 333300 | Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | 1,190 | $131,880 | $168,240 | $203,010 |
| 334100 | Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | 1,140 | $137,090 | $179,270 | $224,400 |
| 333500 | Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 970 | $124,270 | $134,350 | $165,050 |
| 339900 | Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 940 | $126,670 | $153,170 | $186,260 |
| 332700 | Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 910 | $116,610 | $137,490 | $165,720 |
| 311000 | Food Manufacturing | 900 | $140,840 | $162,240 | $195,440 |
| 324000 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 750 | $161,880 | $178,170 | $222,270 |
| 324100 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 750 | $161,880 | $178,170 | $222,270 |
| 322000 | Paper Manufacturing | 660 | $137,450 | $167,160 | $188,490 |
| 336600 | Ship and Boat Building | 610 | $133,420 | $168,410 | $208,000 |
| 332710 | Machine Shops | 570 | $112,120 | $135,840 | $165,410 |
| 337000 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 550 | $107,720 | $133,440 | $160,790 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 540 | $129,060 | $154,710 | $184,360 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 540 | $129,060 | $154,710 | $184,360 |
| 3370A1 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | 510 | $106,410 | $131,150 | $158,650 |
| 326200 | Rubber Product Manufacturing | 480 | $126,070 | $141,240 | $168,240 |
| 3250A2 | Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only) | 460 | $133,900 | $155,390 | $176,300 |
| 336200 | Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | 460 | $118,280 | $137,580 | $166,450 |
| 322200 | Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | 360 | $135,630 | $163,540 | $186,960 |
| 331500 | Foundries | 360 | $125,410 | $134,640 | $161,410 |
| 332720 | Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 340 | $123,470 | $139,830 | $166,660 |
| 331100 | Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 310 | $129,920 | $155,070 | $197,180 |
| 335100 | Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | 310 | $128,100 | $151,980 | $184,410 |
| 322100 | Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | 300 | $141,720 | $169,750 | $193,370 |
| 335200 | Household Appliance Manufacturing | 290 | $130,900 | $160,810 | $167,440 |
| 331400 | Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | 270 | $139,150 | $162,560 | $183,950 |
| 336500 | Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing | 260 | $154,180 | $167,850 | $199,610 |
| 336900 | Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 260 | $124,460 | $143,830 | $170,290 |
| 311900 | Other Food Manufacturing | 200 | $147,420 | $166,120 | $193,680 |
| 331300 | Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 190 | $120,290 | $140,260 | $168,600 |
| 334300 | Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing | 180 | $152,310 | $172,680 | $210,320 |
| 311500 | Dairy Product Manufacturing | 170 | $139,100 | $156,650 | $187,200 |
| 321000 | Wood Product Manufacturing | 170 | $108,760 | $135,450 | $160,810 |
| 312000 | Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing | 160 | $147,830 | $163,680 | $179,880 |
| 331200 | Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 150 | $128,080 | $144,020 | $195,010 |
| 312100 | Beverage Manufacturing | 140 | $145,610 | $163,250 | $176,890 |
| 311400 | Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing | 130 | $139,700 | $165,720 | $177,000 |
| 321900 | Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 130 | $111,790 | $137,330 | $160,440 |
| 332800 | Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | 130 | $123,280 | $133,960 | $169,990 |
| 311800 | Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing | 110 | $132,620 | $156,340 | $202,510 |
| 313000 | Textile Mills | 100 | $121,700 | $140,590 | $165,250 |
| 311300 | Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | 90 | $149,330 | $167,020 | $208,470 |
| 311600 | Animal Slaughtering and Processing | 90 | $155,460 | $178,790 | $211,910 |
| 323000 | Printing and Related Support Activities | 90 | $131,110 | $143,560 | $165,320 |
| 323100 | Printing and Related Support Activities | 90 | $131,110 | $143,560 | $165,320 |
| 311200 | Grain and Oilseed Milling | 80 | $132,120 | $160,800 | $209,530 |
| 314000 | Textile Product Mills | 80 | $108,130 | $125,000 | $161,220 |
| 313200 | Fabric Mills | 60 | $124,350 | $142,990 | $168,260 |
| 314900 | Other Textile Product Mills | 60 | $104,010 | $119,660 | $162,260 |
| 339910 | Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing | 50 | $143,870 | $167,760 | $192,510 |
| 311100 | Animal Food Manufacturing | 40 | $122,640 | $149,750 | $169,220 |
| 337900 | Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing | 40 | $137,270 | $165,820 | $178,300 |
What should you know about manufacturing pay mix?
For Director of R&D, separate the guaranteed salary from any discretionary bonus or commission arrangement. OEWS includes base rate, guaranteed pay and production incentive pay. It excludes overtime premium, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses. An attendance bonus is not a production bonus; confirm its purpose and treatment rather than adding every bonus to the BLS figure.
Skills-based pay steps affect the base rate when they are part of straight-time pay; BLS does not publish a separate rate for each plant's skill grade. Ask whether a tool allowance is expense reimbursement or wage pay. OEWS does not publish a separate tool-allowance component. Keep these items separate in the offer so the published wage is not mistaken for the whole package.
Pay mix here means how published medians for this one BLS occupation differ across manufacturing industries and against the all-industry median. It does not split pay into base, incentive or overtime. BLS wages are straight-time gross pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $134,930 | $167,740 | $207,210 |
| May 2025 | $139,360 | $171,270 | $212,500 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Recruiter's read. Qualitative, not BLS data.
What should you know about launches that reached the market?
We ask which products the candidate took from idea to commercial shipment, what the commercial result was, and which ones failed. A real pipeline history includes cancellations. We probe how they made go or no go calls and how they dealt with a marketing team that wanted a faster date.
What should you know about questions?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
What is the median pay for a Director of R&D?
The median annual wage for Architectural and Engineering Managers in the United States was $171,270 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $139,360 and $212,500. This is the broader occupation BLS publishes, not a figure for this exact title.
What does the 10th percentile mean here?
10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than $120,810. 90% earned less than $262,760.
Does this include overtime or bonuses?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
Is this the pay for a Director of R&D at a plant?
BLS measures this broader occupation across industries. It does not publish a separate wage for this manufacturing title. These are occupation estimates across all industries, not an offer for a particular manufacturing title.
How many people work in this occupation?
BLS estimated 220,260 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
What should you know about related?
What does this data mean for your opening?
Directors of R&D are mapped to the broader BLS classification for Architectural and Engineering Managers, SOC 11-9041. Because the BLS aggregates all engineering management roles, it does not publish a separate wage for R&D directors. Manufacturing Headhunters observes that critical leadership tasks, such as managing the product development pipeline and pilot plant resources, are included within this broader statistical set.
The national median for this occupation is $171,270, representing a $3,530 increase from the May 2024 median of $167,740. Note that BLS data represents base earnings and does not include executive-level performance bonuses or long-term equity plans.
The middle-band width for this occupation is $73,140, derived from the P75 value of $212,500 and the P25 value of $139,360. This significant width reflects the diverse scope of engineering leadership, ranging from small-site R&D management to broad product-line oversight. The P10 level is $120,810, while the P90 level reaches $262,760. Employers must recognize this range to gauge market-standard base salary for high-level technical leadership. When setting compensation for this role, organizations should align the base pay with the specific technical scope of the director's responsibilities rather than relying on generalized averages.
Regional salary variances exist across high-employment metros. The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro reports a median of $190,900, a $9,500 change from the prior median. The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro reports a median of $168,550, a $660 change. Detroit exhibits a location quotient of 3.43, indicating a high density of this occupational group compared to Los Angeles at 1.08. These location quotients reflect employment concentration, not local candidate supply or pay. These findings show that regional demand affects how compensation levels for management fluctuate compared to the $171,270 national median.
Sectoral data provides context for manufacturing, though these figures represent broad national industry averages. Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing reports a median of $192,800, Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing is at $183,950, and Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing sits at $179,720. These benchmarks illustrate the high compensation levels typically associated with R&D in these advanced manufacturing sectors. As these are industry-wide benchmarks rather than role-specific wages, they provide a useful reference for competitive market positioning. HR teams should balance these sectoral insights with internal organizational standards to structure appropriate compensation for senior leadership roles.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
What is the P25 to P75 range for this occupation?
The range is $139,360 at the P25 to $212,500 at the P75. This $73,140 middle-band width illustrates the compensation spread for engineering management roles.
How does the Detroit median compare to the national median?
The Detroit median is $168,550, which is slightly below the national median of $171,270. This reflects local market dynamics within the engineering management sector.
Why is there no separate wage data for R&D Directors?
The BLS uses broad SOC categories to track management across all industries. R&D Directors are consolidated into the Architectural and Engineering Managers category for reporting purposes.
Related recruiting or pay page · Related wage comparison 1 · Data methodology · Related wage comparison 3 · Related wage comparison 4