Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The Director of Institutional Research plays a critical role in educational institutions by analyzing data to inform strategic decisions. As of October 2025, the average salary for this role is $88,935 per year, translating to approximately $43 an hour. Salaries can differ based on various factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the type of institution.
For example, states such as California and New York typically offer higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for skilled professionals. Additionally, directors with advanced degrees or extensive experience often command higher wages. Exploring salary estimates helps candidates assess their earning potential and make informed decisions about job offers.
In analyzing the average salary by state, it's evident that regions with a higher concentration of educational institutions tend to offer better compensation packages. This data is crucial for those seeking to negotiate their salaries effectively. With the evolving landscape of education and institutional needs, staying informed about salary trends is essential for career advancement.
Let Zippia find your next director of institutional research job
Let Zippia find your next director of institutional research job
The highest-paying states for directors of institutional research are California, Arizona, and New Jersey. The lowest average director of institutional research salary states are Maine, Alabama, and Missouri.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $117,561 | $56.52 |
| 2 | Oregon | $96,298 | $46.30 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | $90,686 | $43.60 |
| 4 | Arizona | $105,057 | $50.51 |
| 5 | Minnesota | $94,072 | $45.23 |
| 6 | Iowa | $90,194 | $43.36 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $96,379 | $46.34 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $90,763 | $43.64 |
| 9 | Illinois | $93,929 | $45.16 |
| 10 | Indiana | $94,271 | $45.32 |
| 11 | Michigan | $87,807 | $42.21 |
| 12 | Idaho | $91,498 | $43.99 |
| 13 | Utah | $87,854 | $42.24 |
| 14 | Mississippi | $83,123 | $39.96 |
| 15 | Nevada | $90,257 | $43.39 |
| 16 | Connecticut | $90,998 | $43.75 |
| 17 | Delaware | $89,463 | $43.01 |
| 18 | Alaska | $91,682 | $44.08 |
| 19 | Montana | $86,195 | $41.44 |
| 20 | Washington | $92,774 | $44.60 |
| 21 | New Mexico | $84,316 | $40.54 |
| 22 | North Carolina | $86,585 | $41.63 |
| 23 | Vermont | $84,036 | $40.40 |
| 24 | District of Columbia | $95,312 | $45.82 |
| 25 | Texas | $84,903 | $40.82 |
| 26 | Virginia | $87,669 | $42.15 |
| 27 | Wyoming | $81,205 | $39.04 |
| 28 | South Dakota | $79,229 | $38.09 |
| 29 | Arkansas | $77,155 | $37.09 |
| 30 | Louisiana | $79,198 | $38.08 |
| 31 | Pennsylvania | $78,691 | $37.83 |
| 32 | Ohio | $80,046 | $38.48 |
| 33 | Massachusetts | $89,657 | $43.10 |
| 34 | Hawaii | $89,584 | $43.07 |
| 35 | Rhode Island | $78,298 | $37.64 |
| 36 | New York | $88,979 | $42.78 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $76,503 | $36.78 |
| 38 | West Virginia | $77,467 | $37.24 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $79,401 | $38.17 |
| 40 | Florida | $81,007 | $38.95 |
| 41 | Alabama | $73,928 | $35.54 |
| 42 | North Dakota | $78,216 | $37.60 |
| 43 | Colorado | $75,727 | $36.41 |
| 44 | Maine | $74,606 | $35.87 |
| 45 | Kansas | $76,619 | $36.84 |
| 46 | Missouri | $73,682 | $35.42 |
| 47 | Georgia | $75,382 | $36.24 |
| 48 | Maryland | $78,742 | $37.86 |
| 49 | Kentucky | $73,395 | $35.29 |
| 50 | Wisconsin | $70,288 | $33.79 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $72,866 | $35.03 |
The highest-paying cities for directors of institutional research are Santa Clara, CA, Newark, NJ, and Chicago, IL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Clara, CA | $124,389 | $59.80 |
| 2 | Newark, NJ | $96,266 | $46.28 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $94,291 | $45.33 |
| 4 | Indianapolis, IN | $93,955 | $45.17 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $93,866 | $45.13 |
| 6 | Hartford, CT | $90,380 | $43.45 |
| 7 | Shrewsbury, MA | $90,055 | $43.30 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $89,203 | $42.89 |
| 9 | Las Cruces, NM | $87,079 | $41.86 |
| 10 | San Antonio, TX | $86,689 | $41.68 |
| 11 | Jacksonville, FL | $82,217 | $39.53 |
| 12 | Baltimore, MD | $78,890 | $37.93 |
| 13 | Williamsport, PA | $78,269 | $37.63 |
| 14 | Jackson, TN | $76,217 | $36.64 |
| 15 | Denver, CO | $75,583 | $36.34 |
| 16 | Atlanta, GA | $75,196 | $36.15 |
| 17 | Columbia, SC | $72,918 | $35.06 |
| 18 | Madison, WI | $69,654 | $33.49 |
A director of institutional research's salary ranges from $61,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $128,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $128,000 | $10,667 | $62 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,000 | $8,917 | $51 |
| Average | $88,935 | $7,411 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,000 | $6,083 | $35 |
| 10th Percentile | $61,000 | $5,083 | $29 |
The highest paying types of directors of institutional research are research director, clinical project manager, and clinical research manager.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Study Coordinator | $47,435 | $3,953 | $22.81 | 14,929 |
| Clinical Trial Coordinator | $50,720 | $4,227 | $24.38 | 64,859 |
| Clinical Coordinator | $57,665 | $4,805 | $27.72 | 74,962 |
| Clinical Trial Manager | $93,644 | $7,804 | $45.02 | 60,284 |
| Research Project Coordinator | $48,683 | $4,057 | $23.41 | 67,800 |
| Research Administrator | $52,667 | $4,389 | $25.32 | 99,798 |
Top companies hiring directors of institutional research now:
Director of institutional research salaries at JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Kern Community College District are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average director of institutional research salary at companies like California Polytechnic State University and Boston College are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | $129,772 | $62.39 |
| 2 | Kern Community College District | $107,306 | $51.59 |
| 3 | California Polytechnic State University | $103,653 | $49.83 |
| 4 | Boston College | $101,543 | $48.82 |
| 5 | Northland Community & Technical College | $98,944 | $47.57 |
| 6 | UMass Lowell | $96,039 | $46.17 |
| 7 | Colorado State Express | $95,817 | $46.07 |
| 8 | University of La Verne | $95,307 | $45.82 |
| 9 | University of California-Berkeley | $93,120 | $44.77 |
| 10 | Lake Superior State University | $90,087 | $43.31 |
| 11 | Nicklaus Children's Hospital | $89,464 | $43.01 |
| 12 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $88,966 | $42.77 |
| 13 | Association for Institutional Research | $88,359 | $42.48 |
| 14 | Bay Path University | $87,706 | $42.17 |
| 15 | New Jersey Institute of Technology | $87,659 | $42.14 |
| 16 | Mount Sinai Health System | $87,585 | $42.11 |
| 17 | Life University | $87,083 | $41.87 |
| 18 | Stevens Institute of Technology | $86,926 | $41.79 |
| 19 | Citrus College | $86,710 | $41.69 |
| 20 | Santa Clara University | $86,366 | $41.52 |
The average director of institutional research salary has risen by $14,939 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average director of institutional research earned $73,996 annually, but today, they earn $88,935 a year. That works out to a 15% change in pay for directors of institutional research over the last decade.
Compare director of institutional research salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare director of institutional research salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $88,900 | $42.76 | +6.4% |
| 2024 | $83,200 | $40.02 | +4.1% |
| 2023 | $79,900 | $38.39 | +3.9% |
| 2022 | $76,700 | $36.88 | -0.7% |
| 2021 | $77,300 | $37.15 | -0.3% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | Director of Institutional Research | Bono, AR | 06/30/2025 | $55,000 |
| Passaic County Community College | Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness | Paterson, NJ | 06/16/2025 | $90,000 |
| Another Source | Director of Institutional Research-Stanford University | Palo Alto, CA | 06/15/2025 | $198,098 |
| Minnesota State University, Moorhead | Director of Analytics & Institutional Research | Moorhead, MN | 06/09/2025 | $72,753 |
| State of New York | Director-Institute for Basic Research | New York, NY | 06/05/2025 | $202,931 |
| Flathead Valley Community College | Executive Director of Institutional Research | Kalispell, MT | 05/28/2025 | $90,000 |
| East Carolina University | Assistant Director of Institutional Research | Greenville, SC | 05/24/2025 | $62,115 |
| Western New England University | Director of Institutional Research | Springfield, MA | 05/24/2025 | $92,663 |
| University of Mississippi | Associate Director Institutional Research | Oxford, MS | 05/21/2025 | $91,395 |
| Hampshire College | Assistant Director of Institutional Research | Amherst, MA | 05/18/2025 | $71,000 |
Search for director of institutional research jobs