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Job outlook for managers, research projects in the United States
Manager, research projects job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected manager, research projects job growth rate is 19% from 2018-2028.
About 150,300 new jobs for managers, research projects are projected over the next decade.
Manager, research projects salaries have increased 5% for managers, research projects in the last 5 years.
There are over 5,880 managers, research projects currently employed in the United States.
There are 50,604 active manager, research projects job openings in the US.
The average manager, research projects salary is $70,818.
Are manager, research projects jobs in demand?
Manager, research projects job and salary trends over time
Manager, research projects jobs over time
Manager, research projects job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,880 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 5,578 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 5,484 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 5,158 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 4,820 | 0.00% |
Average manager, research projects salary over time
Manager, research projects salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $70,818 | $34.05 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $68,644 | $33.00 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | $67,923 | $32.66 | --0.2% |
| 2022 | $68,041 | $32.71 | +1.1% |
| 2021 | $67,320 | $32.37 | +0.7% |
Manager, research projects jobs by state
Most common states for managers, research projects
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 150 | 22% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 88 | 14% |
| 3 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 681 | 12% |
| 4 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 514 | 12% |
| 5 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 123 | 12% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 149 | 11% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 109 | 11% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 551 | 10% |
| 9 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 772 | 9% |
| 10 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 269 | 9% |
| 11 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 183 | 9% |
| 12 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 167 | 9% |
| 13 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 78 | 9% |
| 14 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 54 | 9% |
| 15 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,617 | 8% |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,061 | 8% |
| 17 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,038 | 8% |
| 18 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 723 | 8% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 295 | 8% |
| 20 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 79 | 8% |
Most common cities for managers, research projects
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cambridge | 6 | 5% | $72,034 |
| 2 | Belmont | 1 | 4% | $72,027 |
| 3 | Rockville | 2 | 3% | $62,988 |
| 4 | Kearney | 1 | 3% | $65,042 |
| 5 | Miami | 11 | 2% | $65,864 |
| 6 | Charlottesville | 1 | 2% | $70,350 |
| 7 | Boston | 8 | 1% | $72,050 |
| 8 | Atlanta | 3 | 1% | $66,017 |
| 9 | Tucson | 3 | 1% | $58,107 |
| 10 | Ann Arbor | 1 | 1% | $69,395 |
| 11 | Boca Raton | 1 | 1% | $65,770 |
| 12 | Fort Collins | 1 | 1% | $78,416 |
| 13 | Philadelphia | 7 | 0% | $67,438 |
| 14 | San Diego | 4 | 0% | $79,578 |
| 15 | Charlotte | 2 | 0% | $70,640 |
| 16 | Detroit | 2 | 0% | $69,525 |
| 17 | New York | 2 | 0% | $72,763 |
| 18 | Albuquerque | 1 | 0% | $62,297 |
Manager, Research Projects job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of manager, research projects experts
College of New Jersey, The
North Dakota State University
University of Nebraska - Omaha
Middlebury College
Lafayette College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Grove City College
Humboldt State University
Indiana University Kokomo
The Ohio State University
Boise State University
What Manager, Research Projects skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Piper Williams PhD: I would advise a graduate to reflect on what they've learned about the contributions, experiences, history and present reality of people of African descent in the New World. In addition, thinking about the skills they developed related to the major in African American Studies, including but not limited to: Research and Analysis, Writing, Public Speaking, Project Development and Completion, Ethical Reasoning, Listening, Teamwork and Collaboration, Perspective-Taking, Awareness of Context and what they call 'Cultural Competence. Use this education, to make the case that in addition to all the skills you can bring, the education offered by AAS will allow you to distinguish yourself as a candidate who can meet the needs the current moment demands. Black Americans encounter implicit racism in all walks of life: medicine and healthcare, law, politics and gov't, business and industry, performing arts and entertainment, sports, education, news media and social, community and humanitarian services. With this degree, you can enter almost any field and be more equitable to everyone you meet. (And by the way, in the list above, there are a number of people with a degree in African American Studies.)
What general advice would you give to a Manager, Research Projects?
Christina Weber PhD: There are a number of skills that will be important. Soft skills such as creativity, adaptability, collaboration, emotional intelligence, and persuasion. In addition, there is a growing need for folks who have high cultural competence, especially with understanding the experiences of diverse groups. Finally, there is a need for folks to have skills in social science research—understanding how to develop research projects, conduct surveys, focus groups, as well as experience with programs such as GIS, SPSS, and r-studio.
What Manager, Research Projects skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Christina Weber PhD: As stated above, I think that having the skills listed above with help a lot with this. I also think that doing research on the field they are entering, so they know the typical salary can help folks with negotiating their salary.
What general advice would you give to a Manager, Research Projects?
John Lyden: Research skills (ability to find and interpret information), oral and written communication skills (ability to present information clearly), data analysis and interpretation, language interpretation and translation. Computer facility will be highly valued. Employers will include those in higher education, government, non-profits, research institutes, and museums.
What general advice would you give to a Manager, Research Projects?
Jeffrey Knopf: Some of the most important skills are traditional skills. Good communication skills are still number one. The ability to write well and communicate clearly will always help you. Qualitative research skills also remain important. The ability to learn from history or understand other cultures will always be valuable. Beyond this, I am seeing increasing demand for a variety of hard practical skills, such as data analytics or imagery analysis. Finally, in a world where the problems of misinformation and disinformation keep getting worse, critical thinking skills and the ability to discern what is true and what is fake will only increase in importance.
What Manager, Research Projects skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jeffrey Knopf: Getting your foot in the door is still the most important first step. For example, if you can get a government job, even if it's not your preferred position, it becomes easier to learn about other openings and to move lateral to something better. Doing a good job also helps. If you prove your worth to employers, they will want to keep you and promote you, or your bosses may want to bring you with them if they move elsewhere. Finally, it is good to have specific skills or training you can highlight. These might include being fluent in other languages or having data analytics skills, among others.
What general advice would you give to a Manager, Research Projects?
Brett Hendrickson PhD, MDiv (he/him): Remember that employers in many sectors want and need people with the skill set that Religious Studies teaches you. With a Religious Studies major, you have high levels of cultural competence and cultural empathy. Your critical thinking skills are matched by your ability to communicate your ideas in both oral and written formats. When it comes to problem-solving, you are highly skilled in studying and understanding the historical, political, and ethical contexts that guide people's decision making. You are an expert researcher, able to read and digest large amounts of text in a short amount of time.
What Manager, Research Projects skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lori Bruce MA, MBE, HEC-C: If you only have a Bachelor’s degree in bioethics, your best bet is probably to get a position within research ethics. These positions are in academic institutions or private industry, and you can move up in management. You could work in Human Research Subject Protection, or for an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees. All these positions mean you would review research studies and suggest modifications to ensure they are in line with federal standards. This is important work to safeguard trust in medicine!
What will help Managers, Research Projects increase their earning potential?
Lori Bruce MA, MBE, HEC-C: Multidisciplinary partnership is critical, since bioethicists can be “gatekeepers;” their policies may influence which members of the public receive certain health services, and which do not receive them.
Knowledge, applied cautiously! It’s important to have a nuanced understanding of many bioethics principles and theories, and apply them with caution, so that the most relevant values are influencing your work.
Giovanna Percontino
Communication Career Coach, M.Ed.What general advice would you give to a Manager, Research Projects?
Giovanna Percontino: Research the industries that really speak to your values and philosophies. Look for the companies you want to work for not necessarily the role. Align your skills with the roles you are interested make sure you are a good fit. Ask questions to those who are in the industry or jobs you would love to be. These are just conversations with successful people.
What Manager, Research Projects skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Giovanna Percontino: The soft skills are really important now: Communication, Adaptability, Reliability, Leadership, Writing, Rigor
What will help Managers, Research Projects increase their earning potential?
Heidi Jo Newberg: Students who have a strong command of programming are in heavy demand whether they stay in astronomy or decide to pursue employment in the private sector. Taking programming classes and getting computational experience in research settings will put students in a good position to earn higher salaries.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Managers, Research Projects?
DJ Wagner Ph.D.: I would have to say that the biggest impact is due not to the courses a student takes but to what professional opportunities outside of the classroom the student pursues. The employers with which I've spoken suggest that evidence of independent research projects and of the ability to work collaboratively are very important considerations in the hiring process. Networking is also key. At Grove City College, we encourage our physics majors to get involved in research starting their freshman year, and we provide many opportunities for them to network with alumni in the field and by attending conferences. Research builds several critical skills of value to employers: the ability to take ownership of a project and follow it through over a period of time, the ability to work as a team toward a common goal, the ability to operate and trouble-shoot apparatus (for experimental research), the ability to extract meaning from data, etc. Interacting with professionals in the field gives students a wide perspective about possible career paths, connections within those careers, and an understanding of the current state of the field not typically obtained in college courses.
When I have heard professionals speak to students at conferences, they often recommend that physics majors take communication and management courses in addition to their required physics curriculum. The skills and knowledge gained in those courses can help graduates navigate the corporate world successfully.
What soft skills should all Managers, Research Projects possess?
Dr. Anne Paulet Ph.D.: In terms of soft skills, those probably won't change much, they will simply be practiced differently. Being flexible is important since jobs may switch between home and office and since one may be dealing with someone else working from home and the challenges that can present-what cat owner hasn't had their cat walk in front of the camera or step on the wrong computer key? The ability to work in groups will continue to have importance as well as the ability to manage your own time and meet deadlines. At the same time, the nature of computer camera interaction means that people will have to learn to "read" others differently than they would in an in-person environment. Many recent articles have talked about how it is harder to read facial cues or detect emotional responses on the computer. Again, those presently taking synchronous classes have the opportunity to practice these skills--providing students turn on their cameras rather than relying only on audio. If the past year has demonstrated anything, it is that people need to be more culturally aware and sensitive and also be able to work with people of diverse backgrounds. History classes are a great way for students to better understand what others have gone through and how that might impact interaction today. Additionally, history classes-as well as college in general-should provide students with the skills to help create the kind of changes in institutions and companies that need to be made to make them more inclusive. Perhaps the greatest skill college students have is the ability to learn. I never intended to teach online, yet here I am doing just that. It required learning new ways to approach teaching, reconsideration of the ways students learned in the new environment, and figuring out new online programs to make all this happen. I was forced to do this as a result of the pandemic but most students will find that this sort of adjustment-whether foreseen or not-will be a regular part of their career path. The ability to learn these new skills, to apply new methods and to approach issues in new and innovative ways will help them stand out when it comes to looking for a job.
Niki Weller Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Sociology, ChairIndiana University Kokomo
Department of Sociology
What Manager, Research Projects skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Niki Weller Ph.D.: As someone who has recently graduated and is now starting a career in sociology, I recommend seeking opportunities to network and find a mentor. Building solid relationships with other professionals can help open doors to job opportunities and provide valuable insights into the various career paths available in sociology. It is also important to continuously work on your research and analytical skills and to stay up-to-date on emerging trends and methodologies to improve your competitiveness in the job market.
What general advice would you give to a Manager, Research Projects?
Heather Tanner Ph.D.: Most entry-level jobs have lots of boring elements, which is frustrating when you can't wait to jump in and tackle exciting challenges. However, it would help if you showed your immediate supervisor and the company/institution that you are a good team member, capable, and willing to take on tasks (challenging and boring). Routinely ask your supervisor for new jobs or projects to expand your skillset and knowledge of the company/institution. It would help if you also manage your expectations about how quickly you'll be promoted; it can be frustratingly slow. Finally, it's essential to recognize that you need to manage your reputation - this is a workplace where you need to be perceived as a responsible and competent professional. Therefore, only share information about your personal life and leisure time as if talking to your grandparents.
What will help Managers, Research Projects increase their earning potential?
Dr. John Ziker Ph.D.: Our graduate are successful in a wide variety of industries and career paths. From cultural heritage preservation to market research, and from law school to the technology industry, organizations need anthropologists who can relate to people both with respect to our common humanity and our cultural differences. Anthropology provides a diversity of lenses, research tools for innovation, and concern for ethics that our graduate report as useful in their careers.