Average Research and development (R&D) managers Salary in Sunderland
ONS ASHE 2025 · North East region · Updated October 2025
How Sunderland compares
Based on 2025 data, research and development (r&d) managerss in the North East earned £60,883 at the median — 11.0% above the national benchmark of £54,857. In practical terms, living costs in the North East run 9.9% below average. That means £60,883 stretches to roughly £67,573 in real spending power. The all-jobs average in Sunderland is £28,214. By comparison, research and development (r&d) managerss earn 115.8% more than the typical worker locally.
Cost of Living Adjustment
After adjusting for the regional cost of living (North East index: 90.1, UK=100), a salary of £60,883 has an effective purchasing power of approximately £67,573 — equivalent to earning that amount in an area with average UK costs. The cost of living in the North East is 9.9% below the UK average.
Research and development (R&D) managers salary across UK regions
Research and development (R&D) managers salary in areas near Sunderland
Salary data is by ONS region. Sunderland is in the North East 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 Sunderland?
The median research and development (r&d) managers salary in the North East (which includes Sunderland) is £60,883 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 Sunderland compare to the UK average?
Research and development (R&D) managers in the North East earn 11.0% above the national median of £54,857. This makes the North East one of the higher-paying regions for this role.
Is research and development (r&d) managers a well-paid job in Sunderland compared to other roles?
The average salary across all jobs in Sunderland is £28,214. Research and development (R&D) managers in the North East earn £60,883, which is 115.8% above the local average across all occupations.
About this data
Salary figures for research and development (r&d) managerss cover the North East region. The all-jobs average is specific to Sunderland. Source: ONS ASHE 2025. Methodology.