Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Associate I - Academic in Illinois is $59,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.
However, a Research Associate I - Academic's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
Recruit with AI
Research Associate I - Academic Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $66,970 | $5,581 | $1,288 | $32 |
| Average | $59,900 | $4,992 | $1,152 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,650 | $4,304 | $993 | $25 |
OSF HealthCare - Peoria, IL
OSF HealthCare - Bloomington, IL
OSF HealthCare - Galesburg, IL
Nourish - Chicago, IL
A Research Associate I - Academic'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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Research Associate I - Academic'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Associate I - Academic | 0-2 years | $59,894 |
| Intermediate Researcher - Academic | 4-7 years | $78,106 |
| Research Associate III - Academic | 7+ years | $92,223 |
| College Dean | 7+ years | $232,667 |
What Am I Worth?
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:
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:
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 $67,055. While startup companies pay approximate $56,727.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $56,727 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $59,995 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $64,753 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $67,055 |
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $74,875 | $36.0 | 25% |
| Internet | $74,875 | $36.0 | 25% |
| Software & Networking | $74,875 | $36.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $71,880 | $35.0 | 20% |
| Healthcare | $68,885 | $33.0 | 15% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $66,970 | $5,581 | $1,288 | $32 |
| Average | $59,900 | $4,992 | $1,152 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,650 | $4,304 | $993 | $25 |
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 | $60,800 | 2% |
| Associate Dean of Career Development | $98,300 | 64% |
| Associate Dean of Computer and Information Systems | $169,700 | 183% |
| Educational Consultant | $117,001 | 95% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Research Associate I - Academic job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Until
Mundelein, IL
Until | Mundelein, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Until is a moonshot company building a “pause button” for biology. Our near-term focus is organ-scale reversible cryopres... more
6 Days Ago
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL
Northern Illinois University | Dekalb, IL
Posting Detail Information Working Position Title Research Associate (39132) Classification Research Associate Position Number 00039132 Open Date 07/22/202... more
7 Days Ago
Allen Spolden
Chicago, IL
Allen Spolden | Chicago, IL
Clinical Research Associate. Responsible for providing Clinical Research support for all clinical trials. Under the direction of supervisor or designee, th... more
5 Days Ago
Marquette Associates
Chicago, IL
Marquette Associates | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Marquette was founded in 1986 with the sole objective of providing investment consulting at the highest caliber of servic... more
6 Days Ago
Until
Mundelein, IL
Until | Mundelein, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Until is a moonshot company building a “pause button” for biology. Our near-term focus is organ-scale reversible cryopres... more
6 Days Ago
Corgi Insurance
Chicago, IL
Corgi Insurance | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Strategy and Research Associate. Salary. |. $80K - $180K. Corgi is vertically integrating the entire insurance industry. ... more
7 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
