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Job outlook for research and development managers in the United States
Research and development manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected research and development manager job growth rate is 2% from 2018-2028.
About 4,400 new jobs for research and development managers are projected over the next decade.
Research and development manager salaries have increased 11% for research and development managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 18,915 research and development managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 125,447 active research and development manager job openings in the US.
The average research and development manager salary is $117,507.
Are research and development manager jobs in demand?
Research and development manager job and salary trends over time
Research and development manager jobs over time
Research and development manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 18,915 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 19,797 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 19,629 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 19,022 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 18,180 | 0.01% |
Average research and development manager salary over time
Research and development manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $117,507 | $56.49 | +3.2% |
| 2025 | $113,814 | $54.72 | +2.9% |
| 2024 | $110,616 | $53.18 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | $108,227 | $52.03 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $105,877 | $50.90 | +1.5% |
Research and development manager jobs by state
Most common states for research and development managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 281 | 40% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,745 | 31% |
| 3 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 289 | 28% |
| 4 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 165 | 28% |
| 5 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 236 | 27% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 194 | 26% |
| 7 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 471 | 25% |
| 8 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 986 | 24% |
| 9 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 256 | 24% |
| 10 | Vermont | 623,657 | 149 | 24% |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,961 | 23% |
| 12 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,744 | 21% |
| 13 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,455 | 21% |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 283 | 21% |
| 15 | California | 39,536,653 | 7,842 | 20% |
| 16 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,389 | 20% |
| 17 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 427 | 20% |
| 18 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,008 | 19% |
| 19 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,393 | 19% |
| 20 | Alaska | 739,795 | 139 | 19% |
Most common cities for research and development managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Olmsted | 3 | 9% | $104,689 |
| 2 | Herndon | 1 | 4% | $106,580 |
| 3 | Broomfield | 2 | 3% | $95,376 |
| 4 | Billerica | 1 | 2% | $122,019 |
| 5 | Brea | 1 | 2% | $134,567 |
| 6 | Chesterfield | 1 | 2% | $97,888 |
| 7 | Fontana | 2 | 1% | $134,373 |
| 8 | Cambridge | 1 | 1% | $122,242 |
| 9 | Evanston | 1 | 1% | $104,917 |
| 10 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $126,070 |
| 11 | Indianapolis | 4 | 0% | $112,547 |
| 12 | Boston | 3 | 0% | $122,318 |
| 13 | Los Angeles | 3 | 0% | $136,041 |
| 14 | Mesa | 2 | 0% | $110,731 |
| 15 | San Diego | 2 | 0% | $130,264 |
| 16 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $111,185 |
| 17 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $95,330 |
Research And Development Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of research and development manager experts
Pennsylvania State University - Abington
University of Iowa
What Research And Development Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Yi Yang PhD: In the next 3-5 years, I believe management skills will become increasingly important. Engineers who can bridge the gap between technical complexity and business strategy, driving innovation and growth in their organizations will be very valuable.
What skills stand out on Research And Development Manager resumes?
Casey DeRoo Ph.D.: Rather than a concrete skill, previous experience in managing teams to accomplish engineering-related tasks is sure to make you a standout. Showcasing familiarity with work management software (e.g., Jira) or budget/total effort tracking systems is important. Find out what software the company you're seeking employment with uses, and be sure to highlight this if you're familiar with it.