The qualifications for a Research Director include a bachelor’s degree and five or more years of experience in a related position, such as Research Assistant or Research and Development Supervisor. Many employers also require a master’s degree and some a doctorate for a director-level position. Job skills needed include leadership, effective communication, research abilities, active listening, and project management. You can find Research Director jobs in various settings, including medical facilities, educational institutions, and corporations. Duties and responsibilities for a career as a Research Director include managing the research and development team, utilizing current research methods to collect and interpret data, and developing strategies to improve existing products and services.

If you are interested in a job related to Research Director, here are some popular related job searches with the most open positions on ZipRecruiter.

Top Types Of Research Director Jobs

List of the top 10 highest paying Research Director positions in 2026, with salary ranges, according to ZipRecruiter.

Director Of Institutional Research
Salary range: $68,000 - $98,500
A director of institutional research is responsible for leadership and oversight of research activities at colleges and universities. In this career, you collect data on the performance of your institution and coordinate with all departments to analyze and create reports based on the data you compile. You develop an annual research plan for your institution. You are also responsible for the management of reporting requirements and ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal agencies. As the director of institutional research, you may be responsible for hiring qualified research staff for the college.
Irb Director
Salary range: $56,000 - $119,000
Irb Director is a typical job search query Most salaries for Irb Director jobs pay between $56,000 (25th percentile) and $119,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Irb Director job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Operations Research Manager
Salary range: $66,500 - $115,500
Operations Research Manager is a typical job search query Most salaries for Operations Research Manager jobs pay between $66,500 (25th percentile) and $115,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Operations Research Manager job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Director Of Research Innovation
Salary range: $135,500 - $229,000
Director Of Research Innovation is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Director Of Research Innovation jobs pay between $135,500 (25th percentile) and $229,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Director Of Research Innovation job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Institutional Research
Salary range: $68,000 - $98,500
Institutional research focuses on studying, planning, and implementing plans in a college, university, or other similar educational institution. Institutional research focuses on different academic, social, and student life issues. In addition to subjects such as enrollment and admissions, student services, financial aid, and university staffing, institutional research covers areas like athletics and alumni relations. The collected data and reports of findings are reported to the U.S. Department of Education and college governing bodies in addition to informing decisions and policy within a given university.
Qualitative Research Manager
Salary range: $72,000 - $114,500
Qualitative Research Manager is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Qualitative Research Manager jobs pay between $72,000 (25th percentile) and $114,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Qualitative Research Manager job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Clinical Research Director
Salary range: $67,500 - $149,000
A clinical research director manages medical or pharmaceutical research projects. In this role, you may oversee a research department at a university or medical facility. Your specific job duties vary, depending on the type of project you work on, but your general responsibilities include overseeing the planning stages of each research project or clinical trial, discussing outcomes and expectations with researchers, making sure that research staff members provide the proper care to participants in the trial or research project, and ensuring that data is documented properly. Clinical research directors also hire and train new staff members and check that the project follows all governmental and industry guidelines.
Remote Research Director
Salary range: $135,500 - $229,000
Remote Research Director is a typical job search query Most salaries for Remote Research Director jobs pay between $135,500 (25th percentile) and $229,000 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Remote Research Director job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Research Data Director
Salary range: $135,500 - $229,000
Research Data Director is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Research Data Director jobs pay between $135,500 (25th percentile) and $229,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Research Data Director job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Political Research
Salary range: $36,000 - $49,500
Political Research is a common job search query. Most salaries for Political Research jobs pay between $36,000 (25th percentile) and $49,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Political Research job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

All Jobs Research Director Jobs 10 of the Most Popular Types of Research Director Jobs in 2026