Best cities for a research and development director
The best cities for research and development directors are Philadelphia, PA, Fremont, CA, and Pittsburgh, PA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for research and development directors vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for research and development directors in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a research and development director or considering a move, this list of the best cities for research and development directors to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for research and development directors. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a research and development director. While the absolute best city for research and development directors is Philadelphia, PA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for research and development directors in 2024.
If you're looking for a research and development director job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for research and development directors in 2025
1. Philadelphia, PA
Total research and development director jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $128,735 Lowest 10 percent warn: $88,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $187,000 Location quotient: 4.97 2. Fremont, CA
Total research and development director jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $165,121 Lowest 10 percent warn: $109,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $249,000 Location quotient: 3.98 3. Pittsburgh, PA
Total research and development director jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $125,744 Lowest 10 percent warn: $86,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $183,000 Location quotient: 3.98 4. San Francisco, CA
Total research and development director jobs: 13 Average annual salary: $165,556 Lowest 10 percent warn: $109,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $249,000 Location quotient: 2.60 5. Boston, MA
Total research and development director jobs: 14 Average annual salary: $146,434 Lowest 10 percent warn: $102,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $209,000 Location quotient: 3.92 6. Las Vegas, NV
Total research and development director jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $149,390 Lowest 10 percent warn: $98,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $225,000 Location quotient: 1.70 7. Riverside, CA
Total research and development director jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $156,137 Lowest 10 percent warn: $102,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $237,000 Location quotient: 20.10 8. Long Beach, CA
Total research and development director jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $156,876 Lowest 10 percent warn: $103,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $238,000 Location quotient: 6.56 9. Irvine, CA
Total research and development director jobs: 13 Average annual salary: $156,158 Lowest 10 percent warn: $102,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $237,000 Location quotient: 9.53 10. San Jose, CA
Total research and development director jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $165,016 Lowest 10 percent warn: $109,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $248,000 Location quotient: 2.26
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Best cities for research and development directors
- Philadelphia, PA
- Fremont, CA
- Pittsburgh, PA
- San Francisco, CA
- Boston, MA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Riverside, CA
- Long Beach, CA
- Irvine, CA
- San Jose, CA
- (12 research and development director jobs)
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- (6 research and development director jobs)
- (13 research and development director jobs)
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- (6 research and development director jobs)
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- (13 research and development director jobs)
- (8 research and development director jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a research and development director
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia, PA | $128,735 | $88,000 | 1,567,872 | 12 |
| 2 | Fremont, CA | $165,121 | $109,000 | 233,136 | 4 |
| 3 | Pittsburgh, PA | $125,744 | $86,000 | 303,625 | 6 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $165,556 | $109,000 | 870,887 | 13 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $146,434 | $102,000 | 673,184 | 14 |
| 6 | Las Vegas, NV | $149,390 | $98,000 | 632,912 | 2 |
| 7 | Riverside, CA | $156,137 | $102,000 | 324,722 | 6 |
| 8 | Long Beach, CA | $156,876 | $103,000 | 470,130 | 2 |
| 9 | Irvine, CA | $156,158 | $102,000 | 266,122 | 13 |
| 10 | San Jose, CA | $165,016 | $109,000 | 1,025,350 | 8 |
| 11 | Los Angeles, CA | $157,618 | $103,000 | 3,976,322 | 18 |
| 12 | Reno, NV | $154,124 | $101,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 13 | Tucson, AZ | $128,735 | $84,000 | 530,706 | 5 |
| 14 | Kansas City, MO | $130,120 | $89,000 | 481,420 | 4 |
| 15 | Cleveland, OH | $132,551 | $91,000 | 385,809 | 1 |
| 16 | Columbus, OH | $128,134 | $87,000 | 860,090 | 3 |
| 17 | Santa Ana, CA | $156,417 | $102,000 | 334,217 | 1 |
| 18 | North Las Vegas, NV | $149,203 | $98,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 19 | Henderson, NV | $148,774 | $98,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 20 | Toledo, OH | $130,880 | $90,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 21 | Oakland, CA | $165,356 | $109,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 22 | Cincinnati, OH | $125,258 | $85,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 23 | San Diego, CA | $153,038 | $100,000 | 1,406,630 | 12 |
| 24 | Virginia Beach, VA | $148,873 | $101,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 25 | Norfolk, VA | $148,625 | $101,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 26 | Chesapeake, VA | $148,407 | $101,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 27 | Stockton, CA | $164,416 | $108,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 28 | Sacramento, CA | $164,283 | $108,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 29 | Saint Louis, MO | $132,060 | $91,000 | 311,404 | 2 |
| 30 | New York, NY | $145,763 | $100,000 | 8,537,673 | 47 |
| 31 | Glendale, AZ | $131,943 | $86,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 32 | Fresno, CA | $162,842 | $107,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 33 | Phoenix, AZ | $131,875 | $86,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 34 | Scottsdale, AZ | $131,759 | $86,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 35 | Mesa, AZ | $131,115 | $86,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 36 | Bakersfield, CA | $160,531 | $106,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 37 | Chandler, AZ | $131,092 | $86,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 38 | Gilbert, AZ | $130,996 | $86,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 39 | Arlington, TX | $115,823 | $76,000 | 392,772 | 1 |
| 40 | Jersey City, NJ | $145,865 | $100,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 41 | Seattle, WA | $141,736 | $94,000 | 704,352 | 5 |
| 42 | Newark, NJ | $145,811 | $100,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 43 | Houston, TX | $117,378 | $75,000 | 2,303,482 | 17 |
| 44 | Anaheim, CA | $156,650 | $103,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 45 | Brookhaven, NY | $146,497 | $101,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 46 | Indianapolis, IN | $112,695 | $77,000 | 855,164 | 4 |
| 47 | Albuquerque, NM | $112,539 | $74,000 | 559,277 | 3 |
| 48 | Islip, NY | $146,274 | $101,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 49 | Lexington, KY | $102,374 | $70,000 | 318,449 | 3 |
| 50 | Oyster Bay, NY | $146,129 | $101,000 | 293,214 | - |
Highest paying cities for research and development directors
| Rank | City | Avg. research and development director salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $165,556 |
| 2 | Danbury, CT | $149,129 |
| 3 | Richmond, VA | $147,967 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $146,434 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $145,763 |
| 6 | Piscataway, NJ | $145,490 |
| 7 | Kansas City, MO | $130,120 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $128,735 |
| 9 | Tucson, AZ | $128,735 |
| 10 | Cincinnati, OH | $125,258 |
| 11 | Eden Prairie, MN | $124,426 |
| 12 | Atlanta, GA | $120,870 |
| 13 | Austin, TX | $118,213 |
| 14 | Chicago, IL | $117,111 |
| 15 | Gainesville, FL | $113,887 |
| 16 | Denver, CO | $113,308 |
| 17 | Washington, DC | $112,259 |
| 18 | Gaithersburg, MD | $111,903 |
| 19 | Cary, NC | $107,400 |
| 20 | Kansas City, KS | $105,774 |
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Updated January 8, 2025