Average Research and development (R&D) managers Salary in Cardiff / Caerdydd
ONS ASHE 2025 · Wales region · Updated October 2025
How Cardiff / Caerdydd compares
The numbers for 2025 show that a typical research and development (r&d) managers in the Wales earned £44,036. Compared to the UK median of £54,857, that's 19.7% below. The cost of living in the Wales is 10.0% below the UK average, so a salary of £44,036 has an effective purchasing power closer to £48,929. The all-jobs average in Cardiff / Caerdydd is £33,599. By comparison, research and development (r&d) managerss earn 31.1% more than the typical worker locally.
Cost of Living Adjustment
After adjusting for the regional cost of living (Wales index: 90, UK=100), a salary of £44,036 has an effective purchasing power of approximately £48,929 — equivalent to earning that amount in an area with average UK costs. The cost of living in the Wales is 10.0% below the UK average.
Research and development (R&D) managers salary across UK regions
Research and development (R&D) managers salary in areas near Cardiff / Caerdydd
Salary data is by ONS region. Cardiff / Caerdydd is in the Wales region. Below are neighbouring regions — click to explore salaries there.
Research and development (R&D) managers Salary Guide
The full salary guide includes regional breakdowns, cost-of-living adjustments, year-on-year trends, and in-depth FAQs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average research and development (r&d) managers salary in Cardiff / Caerdydd?
The median research and development (r&d) managers salary in the Wales (which includes Cardiff / Caerdydd) is £44,036 per year, based on ONS ASHE 2025 data. The mean salary is typically higher due to top earners pulling the average up.
How does research and development (r&d) managers pay in Cardiff / Caerdydd compare to the UK average?
Research and development (R&D) managers in the Wales earn 19.7% below the national median of £54,857. Other regions such as London and the South East typically offer higher salaries for this role.
Is research and development (r&d) managers a well-paid job in Cardiff / Caerdydd compared to other roles?
The average salary across all jobs in Cardiff / Caerdydd is £33,599. Research and development (R&D) managers in the Wales earn £44,036, which is 31.1% above the local average across all occupations.
About this data
Salary figures for research and development (r&d) managerss cover the Wales region. The all-jobs average is specific to Cardiff / Caerdydd. Source: ONS ASHE 2025. Methodology.