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Job outlook for research leaders in the United States
Research leader job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected research leader job growth rate is 19% from 2018-2028.
About 150,300 new jobs for research leaders are projected over the next decade.
Research leader salaries have increased 5% for research leaders in the last 5 years.
There are over 4,581 research leaders currently employed in the United States.
There are 77,051 active research leader job openings in the US.
The average research leader salary is $107,345.
Are research leader jobs in demand?
Research leader job and salary trends over time
Research leader jobs over time
Research leader job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,581 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 4,345 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 4,272 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 4,018 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 3,755 | 0.00% |
Average research leader salary over time
Research leader salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $107,345 | $51.61 | +3.2% |
| 2025 | $104,050 | $50.02 | +1.1% |
| 2024 | $102,957 | $49.50 | --0.2% |
| 2023 | $103,137 | $49.59 | +1.1% |
| 2022 | $102,044 | $49.06 | +0.7% |
Research leader jobs by state
Most common states for research leaders
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 389 | 56% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,126 | 31% |
| 3 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 299 | 28% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 205 | 27% |
| 5 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 230 | 26% |
| 6 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 460 | 24% |
| 7 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 483 | 23% |
| 8 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 239 | 23% |
| 9 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,430 | 19% |
| 10 | Alaska | 739,795 | 132 | 18% |
| 11 | Vermont | 623,657 | 104 | 17% |
| 12 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 198 | 15% |
| 13 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 567 | 14% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 695 | 12% |
| 15 | Delaware | 961,939 | 120 | 12% |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,460 | 11% |
| 17 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 623 | 11% |
| 18 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 64 | 11% |
| 19 | California | 39,536,653 | 4,072 | 10% |
| 20 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 932 | 10% |
Most common cities for research leaders
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 4 | 14% | $86,620 |
| 2 | Dover | 5 | 13% | $128,093 |
| 3 | Juneau | 4 | 12% | $94,710 |
| 4 | Annapolis | 4 | 10% | $96,587 |
| 5 | Lansing | 4 | 3% | $93,380 |
| 6 | Springfield | 4 | 3% | $76,687 |
| 7 | Baton Rouge | 4 | 2% | $77,653 |
| 8 | Des Moines | 4 | 2% | $82,936 |
| 9 | Little Rock | 4 | 2% | $79,740 |
| 10 | Montgomery | 4 | 2% | $76,418 |
| 11 | Tallahassee | 4 | 2% | $65,294 |
| 12 | Boston | 7 | 1% | $106,890 |
| 13 | Atlanta | 6 | 1% | $89,719 |
| 14 | Indianapolis | 5 | 1% | $96,104 |
| 15 | Washington | 5 | 1% | $130,590 |
| 16 | Sacramento | 4 | 1% | $132,237 |
| 17 | Urban Honolulu | 4 | 1% | $67,651 |
| 18 | Phoenix | 5 | 0% | $90,589 |
Research Leader job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of research leader experts
University of Nebraska - Omaha
Johns Hopkins University
Dillard University
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Washington University in St Louis
University of Michigan
Howard University
Illinois State University
Claremont McKenna College
Elizabethtown College
Creighton University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Grove City College
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-Newark
East Tennessee State University
Humboldt State University
Texas Christian University
University of the Incarnate Word
Howard University, College of Medicine
Saint Joseph's University
What general advice would you give to a Research Leader?
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 soft skills should all Research Leaders possess?
Steven Ross Ph.D.: Research findings are complex and nuanced. It is rare that program evaluation studies yield clear results that are interpreted the same ways by all consumers and stakeholders. A researcher/evaluator needs to be an effective communicator, open to alternative views of findings and their implications for practice. Soft skills are also needed to partner effectively and mutually with schools and practitioners on meaningful studies. Obviously, many soft skills are needed for effective teaching in higher ed.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Research Leader job market given the pandemic?
Eva Baham: With the hope that the economy returns to a sense of normalcy accompanied by stability in family incomes, families and individuals may seek ways to re-add a quality of life to their activities. Visits to museums (inside and outside), libraries, tourist destinations and other venues requiring information guided by sound and reputable knowledge should require individuals with a history background.
What will help Research Leaders increase their earning potential?
Gabriel Loiacono: I would say this: history majors go on to a wide variety of good jobs. Historians use their research, writing, communication, and critical reading strengths in careers from insurance to law to you name it. To help with earning potential, strengthen these skills in college, but also branch out and add others: another language, whether it is C++ or Spanish, perhaps a mapping or public administration class. Then you can point to all these skills when you are looking for a good fit for you.
Sharon Deem DVM, PhD
Director of Saint Louis zoo institute for Conservation Medicine, Adjunct professor at WUSTLWashington University in St Louis
Institute for Conservation Medicine
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Research Leaders?
Sharon Deem DVM, PhD: This question is a tough one. In my mind, certificates/licenses/courses that will have the biggest impact on job prospects are the ones for which you have a passion. Life is short and work is long! I am a true believer that you will be successful and make a difference for the world if you pursue study, and ultimately a career, in a topic, or topics, for which you are interested. Beyond that, I think all young scholars would do well to possess more than one spoken language, have a good grasp of statistics, know how to communicate beyond a tweet or tic-toc post, and understand local, national and world politics.
Margit Burmeister Ph.D.
Research Professor, Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, Professor of Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics, Professor of Human Genetics, Professor of Psychiatry, Co-Director, Bioinformatics Graduate ProgramUniversity of Michigan
Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics and Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience Institute
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Research Leader job market given the pandemic?
Margit Burmeister Ph.D.: With everything going online, bioinformaticians have a big advantage over biologists working in wet labs that may be operating at reduced capacity. But on the other hand, in many companies and Universities, employees willing to come in and work in person also have advantages. Overall, those who can pivot rapidly - work in person in wet lab if open and required, but able to work for several weeks analytically only, have the best chances.
However, academic positions are frozen at many Universities, so those who are in postdoc positions hoping for faculty positions can't move on.
Worldwide the biggest trend is women dropping out.
How have salaries changed over time for Research Leaders?
Margit Burmeister Ph.D.: Bioinformaticians' salaries are higher than typical molecular biologists and can reach as high as computer scientists, hence salaries straight out of PhD can differ by more than a factor of 4. It is hard to give a trend over time because it so depends on the field one enters.
Rui Diogo Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorHoward University
Anatomy Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Research Leaders?
Rui Diogo Ph.D.: Probably yes, because the pandemic has decreased the economy, so all kind of jobs are affected.
What's a good job out of college for Research Leaders?
Rui Diogo Ph.D.: Most people having a master or phd in anatomy tend to have jobs at universities, teaching anatomy at medical schools and doing research. Outside academia it is more difficult for an anatomist. Possible options could be working in natural history museums, or in the production of anatomical/educational textbooks.
What soft skills should all Research Leaders possess?
Ross Kennedy: They should have skills associated with an education grounded in the liberal arts. There have been a lot of surveys and studies on what tech and non-tech business leaders want in their employees and they all reveal the same thing: they want employees who understand human nature and psychology, who have a sense of empathy and an ability to put themselves in someone else's shoes, and who can think creatively to solve problems. They also highly value people who can write clearly and effectively, who have the ability to construct a concise, persuasive argument. Most broadly, they want people who know how to think analytically and how to learn.
Daniel Livesay Ph.D.
Associate Professor of History, History Department ChairClaremont McKenna College
History Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Research Leader job market given the pandemic?
Daniel Livesay Ph.D.: It's always hard to predict the future, especially with so much uncertainty in the job market right now. It seems unavoidable, though, that companies will have to make major adjustments in the coming months and years. That means that graduates will have to hold a number of different skills: strong organization, excellent communication, and passionate drive. Those are always employable characteristics and I imagine they'll still be needed in the post-pandemic economy.
David Brown
Professor of HistoryElizabethtown College
History Department
What soft skills should all Research Leaders possess?
David Brown: It's critical to be able to work as a team. Empathy, understanding, a bit of diplomacy, and integrity - aside from the obvious need of technical competency - are highly valued. As always, motivation is terribly important and this can be conjoined with flexibility. If energy and attitude remain positive this will rub off on others and create an attractive dynamic that draws people in. Finally, the ability to make a decision and follow through with it is perhaps too little appreciated.
What will help Research Leaders increase their earning potential?
David Brown: Salaries have generally kept up with inflation, though with the decline of funding in the Humanities disciplines, the number of jobs has not been robust. There is a wide variance in compensation within a highly stratified university system that includes adjuncts, lecturers, visiting faculty and full-time faculty in the ranks of assistant, associate, and full professor. There is an increasing interest in pubic history - in museums, archives, and historical societies - that provide opportunities for those seeking opportunities outside of the academy.
Richard Witmer Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor of Government and PoliticsCreighton University
Department of Political Science
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Research Leaders?
Richard Witmer Ph.D.: With the move to online a few key ones are adaptability, a willingness to continue to learn, teamwork, and reliability.
What will help Research Leaders 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 Research Leaders?
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.
Dr. Rachel Emas Ph.D.
Assistant Teaching Professor, MPA Program DirectorRutgers, The State University of New Jersey-Newark
School of Public Affairs and Administration
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Research Leaders?
Dr. Rachel Emas Ph.D.: The courses or certifications that have the greatest impact on a person's public service job prospects are highly dependent on that person's career goals. Some of the courses that are helpful for nearly all public servants include topics like grant writing, administrative ethics, leadership of organizations, equity and diversity, and evidence-based decision making.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Research Leaders?
Paul Trogen Ph.D.: Some surveys suggest that as many as half of local government jobs may be filled by business graduates. One should take courses similar to what those business students study. One of our graduate students surveyed local governments, and found the skills most in demand included accounting, human resource management, budgeting, public relations, and risk management. The ability to use spreadsheets and communicate clearly with tables and graphs helps. Quantitative skills like linear programming, PERT/CPM, inventory models, and queuing theory will make you an indispensable problem solver. Some high demand niches that are unique to the public sector include geographic information systems (GIS), city planning, and economic development. Hard skills will increase your chances of landing an interview.
What soft skills should all Research Leaders 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.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Research Leaders?
Dongwoo Kim: This will depend on how fast the US economy gets back on track. If we recover the pre-pandemic level of economic activity quickly, graduates entering the job market in 2021 may not experience the negative labor market shock of the pandemic.
If the recovery takes longer, then graduates entering the job market in 2021 will most likely experience a negative effect similar to those who enter the job market during a recession. Labor economics papers have documented that graduates entering the job market during recessions suffer significant initial earnings losses mainly through higher likelihood of mismatch and employment at lower paying employers. These initial earnings losses are reported to fade after 6 to 10 years.
What Research Leader skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lopita Nath Ph.D.: If graduates need to take a gap year, I recommend that they focus on broad, transferable skills that will never go away however automated their workplace becomes. Graduates will need to focus on reading and writing, critical thinking, analysis, research, and presentation and communication skills. Reading improves the vocabulary, and will make a person a better writer and confident presenter. Learning a language, other than your own, is always valuable and time well spent. There are so many online options like Babbel and Duolingo that can help. Graduates need to learn how to think outside the box. These are skills that liberal arts degrees like a History or an English will teach them better when they are ready for college. Transferable skills are always valuable at any workplace.
What type of skills will young Research Leaders need?
Dr. Janine Ziermann: The trend to be hyperflexible was already starting before the pandemic and became even more emphasized during the pandemic. Future workforce, both academic and research, will be required to think on their feet, learn to adapt immediately when unforeseen events occur, and be able to navigate a multitude of programs (teaching, collaboration, analyses, etc.). Being constantly aware of trends in teaching is a plus for all that apply for positions at universities.
Current and future graduate students have already proven to be resilient, a key skill that must continue. Clear communication is more important than ever with the increasing number of international students in graduate programs and international research collaborators necessary to complete vital areas of research for publications, grants, presentations, etc. Overall, graduate students should note what things they liked and disliked during their time in their respective program courses. They can then choose to keep some aspects and modify others when they are hired as faculty members, research post-docs, or research faculty in the next stages of their careers.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Research Leaders?
Dr. Janine Ziermann: The pandemic disrupted the entire world for almost a year now, which impacts everyone. Graduate students will be impacted due to delayed graduations, and missing opportunities for internships, practical research, or in-person collaborations. However, the pandemic forced graduate students to become hyperflexible in both coursework and research. Students rapidly learned to adapt to new technology, which created useful skills that will benefit them in future academic careers.
Moving towards research focused careers, it highly depends how productive the labs were, where the students did their thesis. While worldwide labs were forced to shut down, some researchers had sufficient data to keep publishing. Others were in institutions where research on a smaller scale was still possible. Unfortunately, most research projects were negatively impacted to some degree, some even stopping completely due to the lack of lab access, specimens being destroyed or university closure for non-essential personnel.
We have students in our program who have continued to publish papers during the pandemic from research data completed prior. We also have graduate students who are planning to defend in 2021 and might have to wait until the Summer rather than Spring because of the pandemic delaying final experiments and dissertation completion. This may impact future applications to PhDs, postdocs, or faculty positions.
Dr. Christopher Close Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Director, Justice and Ethics in the Law programSaint Joseph's University
Department of History
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Research Leaders?
Dr. Christopher Close Ph.D.: I think for thinking about the uncertain future of the job markets, courses that teach good writing and critical thinking skills will be essential. With the long-term impact of the pandemic on the job market unclear, we don't yet know what the job market will look like in 1 year, much less five years. Accordingly, skills that are applicable to a whole variety of fields, like strong writing and analytical thinking, are especially important for students to gain right now. History teaches this skill in a way few other fields can match, and therefore prepares students to enter really any field they want after graduation.