We’re pleased to share our Regulatory Affairs Medtech Salary Benchmarking data, featuring 2026/27 industry data on compensation trends & salary benchmarks from Senior Consultant, Hayley Shayestehroo.

The Regulatory Affairs market has entered a more mature phase. The significant salary inflation seen during 2021 and 2022 has stabilised, hiring decisions are becoming more measured, and benefits have largely aligned around established market expectations.

For employers, this creates a clear strategic challenge. When salary and benefits packages are increasingly similar across the market, attracting and retaining the strongest talent requires a more considered approach. Differentiation is less about increasing spend and more about designing an offer that reflects what candidates genuinely value.

For our Regulatory Affairs Biotech Salary Benchmarking data, click here.

Carrot Recruitment  ·  UK Life Sciences  ·  2026

UK Regulatory Affairs
Salary Benchmark

A practical compensation guide for hiring Regulatory Affairs professionals across UK medical-device, diagnostics and medtech companies.

Indicative base salary benchmarks for permanent hires. Figures are recruiter market estimates informed by current public compensation data and live UK hiring activity.

What this benchmark covers
Benchmark includes
  • Base salary
  • Typical annual bonus
  • Regional pay pressure
  • Skill premiums
Benchmark excludes
  • Equity valuation
  • Sign-on awards
  • Long-term incentives
  • Highly bespoke executive packages
2026 UK Base Salary Benchmarks
Level Estimated Base Salary Range Typical Bonus
Regulatory Affairs Specialist / Officer £30,000 – £40,000
£30k – £40k
0–8%
Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist £40,000 – £52,000
£40k – £52k
5–10%
Regulatory Affairs Manager £50,000 – £65,000
£50k – £65k
8–15%
Senior Regulatory Affairs Manager £62,000 – £78,000
£62k – £78k
10–18%
Associate Director, Regulatory Affairs £75,000 – £95,000
£75k – £95k
12–20%
Director, Regulatory Affairs £90,000 – £120,000
£90k – £120k
15–25%
Senior Director / Head of Regulatory £105,000 – £140,000
£105k – £140k
20–30%
Executive Director, Regulatory £125,000 – £160,000
£125k – £160k
20–35%
VP, Regulatory Affairs £145,000 – £185,000+
£145k – £185k+
25–40%+

These ranges intentionally overlap. In life sciences, role scope often matters more than title alone — particularly from Senior Manager through Director level.

Regional Salary Adjustments
London / South East
+8% to +12%

Highest UK pay pressure; senior and specialist roles often command a premium.

Cambridge / East of England
+5% to +10%

Dense biotech cluster; strong competition for advanced-therapy and specialist talent.

Oxford / Thames Valley
+5% to +10%

Competitive biotech and medtech cluster; specialist leadership often attracts a premium.

Midlands / North West
-3% to +3%

Strong manufacturing base; scarce technical and site leaders can reach national bands.

Scotland / North East / Wales
-8% to -2%

Typically below southern hubs, though scarce specialists may still price nationally.

Experience that commands a premium

UKCA / MHRA strategy and implementation

EU MDR / IVDR leadership

PMA and global market-access strategy

Class III / implantable devices

Combination products

SaMD and digital health

AI/ML-enabled medical devices

IVD and companion diagnostics

Notified Body and competent-authority leadership

EU MDR plus US FDA / global strategy

Regulatory leadership through product launch

What moves a candidate up or down the range?
↑ Usually pushes compensation higher
  • Direct FDA ownership
  • Scarce specialist expertise
  • Commercialisation or approval track record
  • Function-building or broad leadership scope
  • High-cost location / onsite requirement
  • Multiple competing offers
↓ Can support a lower / mid-range offer
  • Development opportunity within role
  • Narrower product or team scope
  • Strong equity or bonus trade-off
  • Remote flexibility
  • Candidate stepping into first role at that level
  • Lower-cost regional market

Need a role-specific benchmark?

Carrot Recruitment can provide a tailored benchmark against the exact UK location, company stage, reporting line, technical requirements and live candidate availability for your upcoming hire.

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