Research and development (R&D) manager salary UK
54,857 GBP
Median gross annual pay · 2025 · ONS ASHE · 2161
Half of all research and development (r&d) managers in the UK earn more than 54,857 GBP a year, half earn less.
Rank by pay31of 398 occupations
Spread, quartile to quartile1.73×42,237 GBP – 73,106 GBP
Men against women7.5 %55,735 GBP against 51,576 GBP
| Measure | All | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower quartile | 42,237 GBP | — | — |
| Median | 54,857 GBP | 55,735 GBP | 51,576 GBP |
| Mean | 61,929 GBP | — | — |
| Upper quartile | 73,106 GBP | — | — |
About the figure
Occupation code 2161 in SOC 2020, the UK occupation classification. Covers all employee jobs. Published by the Office for National Statistics, not estimated by us. The figure is gross annual pay, not monthly.
Occupations that pay about the same
- Business, research and administrative professionals n.e.c. 55,106 GBP
- Production managers and directors in construction 54,947 GBP
- Driving instructors 54,897 GBP
- Cyber security professionals 54,816 GBP
- Human resource managers and directors 54,474 GBP
- Solicitors and lawyers 53,314 GBP
Source: ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14. Figures are for 2025; snapshot taken 2026-08-15. www.ons.gov.uk