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R & D Support Associate I Salary in the United States

How much does a R & D Support Associate I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a R & D Support Associate I in the United States is $70,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

However, a R & D Support Associate I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $86,184
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,700 to $78,900
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $55,234

Key Factors That Influence R & D Support Associate I Salaries

A R & D Support Associate I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects R & D Support Associate Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a R & D Support Associate I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • R & D Support Associate I (0-2 years): $70,814
  • R & D Support Associate II (2-4 years): $82,356
  • R & D Support Associate III (4-7 years): $99,644
  • R & D Support Associate IV (7+ years): $131,403
  • R & D Support Associate V (7-10 years): $160,443
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
R & D Support Associate I0-2 years$70,814
R & D Support Associate II2-4 years$82,356
R & D Support Associate III4-7 years$99,644
R & D Support Associate IV7+ years$131,403
R & D Support Associate V7-10 years$160,443

How Do R & D Support Associate I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract R & D Support Associate Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $78,500.
  • California: $78,200.
  • Massachusetts: $77,100.

Top Paying Cities for R & D Support Associate Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $89,400
  • San Francisco: $88,400
  • Oakland: $86,500

What Skills Can Increase a R & D Support Associate I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 12.04% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Data Analysis (Mentioned in 2.73% Job Postings): Data analysis is a process of inspecting, cleansing, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision-making. Data analysis has multiple facets and approaches, encompassing diverse techniques under a variety of names, and is used in different business, science, and social science domains. In today's business world, data analysis plays a role in making decisions more scientific and helping businesses operate more effectively. Data mining is a particular data analysis technique that focuses on modeling and knowledge discovery for predictive rather than purely descriptive purposes, while business intelligence covers data analysis that relies heavily on aggregation, focusing mainly on business information. In statistical applications, data analysis can be divided into descriptive statistics, exploratory data analysis (EDA), and confirmatory data analysis (CDA). EDA focuses on discovering new features in the data while CDA focuses on confirming or falsifying existing hypotheses. Predictive analytics focuses on application of statistical models for predictive forecasting or classification, while text analytics applies statistical, linguistic, and structural techniques to extract and classify information from textual sources, a species of unstructured data. All of the above are varieties of data analysis.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 1.81% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 12.04%
Data Analysis 2.73%
SOP 1.81%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a R & D Support Associate I's salary.

  • Corporate Development: Can increase your salary by up to 32%.
  • Process Development: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Corporate Development $93,588
32%
Process Development $75,863
7%
Commitment $75,863
7%

R & D Support Associate I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

R & D Support Associate I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $79,234. While startup companies pay approximate $67,024.

R & D Support Associate I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $67,024
Growth Stage 51~500 $70,884
Established 501~5000 $76,510
Enterprise 5000+ $79,234

R & D Support Associate I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For R & D Support Associate I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, R & D Support Associate positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view R & D Support Associate I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a R & D Support Associate I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$95,715$46.035%
Pharmaceuticals$92,170$44.030%
Biotechnology$88,625$43.025%
Financial Services$88,625$43.025%
Internet$85,080$41.020%

How Education impacts a R & D Support Associate I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many R & D Support Associate Is enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a R & D Support Associate I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $69,191 and $74,246).

R & D Support Associate I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for R & D Support Associate I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 2.0%
Associates 3.2%
Bachelors 56.5%
Masters 28.2%
Doctorate 9.5%

R & D Support Associate I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a R & D Support Associate I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$62,700
Average $70,900/year
$78,900
$5,225
Average $5,908/month
$6,575
$1,206
Average $1,363/week
$1,517
$30
Average $34/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $78,900 $6,575 $1,517 $38
Average $70,900 $5,908 $1,363 $34
25th Percentile $62,700 $5,225 $1,206 $30

R & D Support Associate I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a R & D Support Associate I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

R & D Support Associate I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Human Factors Engineer II $99,500 40%
R & D Engineer $117,000 65%
R & D Support Associate II $82,400 16%

Most common benefits for R & D Support Associate I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for R & D Support Associate I

Here are companies hiring for R & D Support Associate I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about R & D Support Associate I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for R & D Support Associate I?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for R & D Support Associate I roles, with salaries approximately 35% above the market median.

2. Which research field has highest salary?

Jobs in fields like Data Science, Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, and Aerospace Engineering offer some of the highest salaries in science-related sectors. Specifically, R&D Support Associates earn between $66,900 and $85,000, with a median salary of $76,300. Roles in R&D, AI development, and clinical research are among the most lucrative.

3. How much do R&D engineers make in the USA?

R&D Support Associates in the USA earn between $66,900 and $85,000 annually, with a median salary of $76,300. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise within the field, providing a competitive compensation structure for professionals in research and development roles.

4. Is there money in R and D?

R&D can be a significant investment for companies, often seen as an expense rather than a direct revenue source. However, roles like R&D Support Associate offer competitive salaries, ranging from $66,900 to $85,000, with a midpoint of $76,300. While R&D may not always yield immediate profits, it plays a crucial role in innovation and long-term growth.

5. What is the salary of R&D intern?

The salary for an R&D Support Associate ranges from ₹66,900 to ₹85,000, with a mid-point salary of ₹76,300. These figures reflect the compensation for this role based on current data.

6. How to join R and D department?

To join the R&D department, first identify your interests within the field. Obtain at least a bachelor's degree, with higher degrees preferred for research roles. Gain hands-on experience through internships or entry-level positions. Networking with professionals can also be beneficial. Salaries for R&D Support Associates range from $66,900 to $85,000, with a mid-point of $76,300.

7. Which company is best for research and development?

When considering the best companies for research and development, options like Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., and ISRO stand out. Salaries for R&D Support Associates in this field typically range from $66,900 to $85,000, with a mid-point of $76,300, reflecting the competitive nature of these roles in leading organizations.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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