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Research Associate I - Academic Salary in the United States

How much does a Research Associate I - Academic make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Associate I - Academic in the United States is $58,770 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

However, a Research Associate I - Academic's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $71,952
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50,640 to $65,670
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $43,238
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Research Associate I - Academic Salaries

A Research Associate I - Academic's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Research Associate I - Academic 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 Research Associate I - Academics. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $65,070.
  • California: $64,820.
  • Massachusetts: $63,950.

Top Paying Cities for Research Associate I - Academics

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: $74,120
  • San Francisco: $73,310
  • Oakland: $71,760

What Skills Can Increase a Research Associate I - Academic's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 12.21% 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 2.9% 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.
  • Financial Services (Mentioned in 1.78% Job Postings): A services provided by the finance industry, which encompasses a broad range of businesses that manage money. These services involve banking, brokerage, mortgages, credit cards, payment services, real estate, investment funds, taxes and accounting.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 12.21%
Data Analysis 2.9%
Financial Services 1.78%
See More Skills

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 Research Associate I - Academic's salary.

  • Cell Biology: Can increase your salary by up to 25%.
  • Cell Culture: Can increase your salary by up to 24%.
  • Immunology: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Cell Biology $73,463
25%
Cell Culture $72,875
24%
Immunology $71,112
21%
Get Latest Data

Research Associate I - Academic Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Research Associate I - Academic salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $65,678. While startup companies pay approximate $55,557.

Research Associate I - Academic Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $55,557
Growth Stage 51~500 $58,757
Established 501~5000 $63,420
Enterprise 5000+ $65,678

Research Associate I - Academic Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Research Associate I - Academic roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Research Associate I - Academic positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research Associate I - Academic as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Research Associate I - Academic

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$73,462$35.025%
Internet$73,462$35.025%
Software & Networking$73,462$35.025%
Biotechnology$70,524$34.020%
Healthcare$67,586$32.015%

How Education impacts a Research Associate I - Academic's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Research Associate I - Academics 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 Research Associate I - Academic with a Bachelor's Degree is between $58,927 and $63,082).

Research Associate I - Academic Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Research Associate I - Academic
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 0.9%
Associates 0.7%
Bachelors 41.3%
Masters 37.5%
Doctorate 19.4%
View as Graph

Research Associate I - Academic Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Research Associate I - Academic'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
$50,640
Average $58,770/year
$65,670
$4,220
Average $4,898/month
$5,473
$974
Average $1,130/week
$1,263
$24
Average $28/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $65,670 $5,473 $1,263 $32
Average $58,770 $4,898 $1,130 $28
25th Percentile $50,640 $4,220 $974 $24

Research Associate I - Academic Salary Growth & Career Path

Research Associate I - Academic

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Research Associate I - Academic, 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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Curriculum and Instructional Designer II $66,800 14%
Associate Dean of Career Development $74,500 27%
Associate Dean of Computer and Information Systems $96,200 64%
Educational Consultant $115,001 96%

Most common benefits for Research Associate I - Academic

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

Common company salaries for Research Associate I - Academic

Here are companies hiring for Research Associate I - Academic and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Research Associate I - Academic

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Research Associate I - Academic?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Research Associate I - Academic roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. Does academic research pay well?

Academic research salaries can vary significantly. For a Research Associate in academia, the salary ranges from a minimum of $56,070 to a mid-point of $62,300, with a maximum of $75,750. While some positions may offer higher pay, these figures reflect typical earnings in the field.

3. Do research assistants get paid a lot?

Research Associates in academia earn varying salaries based on experience and location. The minimum salary is approximately $56,070, with a mid-range salary of about $62,300, and a maximum salary reaching around $75,750. While compensation can vary, these figures indicate a competitive salary for this role.

4. Is research associate a good job?

A research associate is a valuable position, contributing significantly to organizational decision-making and product management. With a salary range from $56,070 to $75,750, including a mid-salary of $62,300, it offers competitive compensation. Understanding this role can help you determine if it aligns with your career aspirations.

5. What kind of research pays the most?

Research Associate positions in academia typically offer salaries ranging from $56,070 to $75,750, with a median salary of $62,300. While this is competitive, other high-paying research roles include statisticians earning around $87,935, and biomedical engineers making approximately $93,143 annually.

6. What level is a research associate?

A research associate typically requires a Master's or PhD, as these roles demand expert knowledge in a specific field. Postgraduate qualifications enhance research skills and expertise. The salary for a research associate ranges from $56,070 to $75,750, with a median salary of $62,300, reflecting the advanced qualifications and responsibilities involved.

7. What is the highest paying job in research?

High Paying Research Jobs include Research Director with salaries ranging from $135,500 to $229,000, Research Scientist earning between $107,500 and $173,000, and Animal Scientist at $173,000. For a Research Associate in academia, the salary ranges from $56,070 to $75,750, with a mid-salary of $62,300, reflecting the diverse opportunities in the field.

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.)

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