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Research Associate III - Academic Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Associate III - Academic in the United States is $90,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $44.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $108,076
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $77,600 to $99,700
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,855
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View as table View as graph 25% $77,600 10% $65,855 90% $108,076 75% $99,700 $90,500 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Research Associate III - Academic Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $99,700 $8,308 $1,917 $48
Average $90,500 $7,542 $1,740 $44
25th Percentile $77,600 $6,467 $1,492 $37
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Key Factors That Influence Research Associate III - Academic Salaries

A Research Associate III - 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, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Research Associate III - Academic Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Research Associate III - 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:

  • Entry Researcher - Academic (0-2 years): $58,760
  • Intermediate Researcher - Academic (4-7 years): $76,627
  • Research Associate III - Academic (7+ years): $90,477
  • College Dean (7+ years): $228,262
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Researcher - Academic0-2 years$58,760
Intermediate Researcher - Academic4-7 years$76,627
Research Associate III - Academic7+ years$90,477
College Dean7+ years$228,262
$58,760 Entry Res...
$76,627 Intermedi...
$90,477 Research ...
$228,262 College D...
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Research Associate III - 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 III - Academics. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $100,200.
  • California: $99,800.
  • Massachusetts: $98,500.

Top Paying Cities for Research Associate III - 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: $114,200
  • San Francisco: $112,900
  • Oakland: $110,500

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 14.17% 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 3.45% 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.
  • Cell Biology (Mentioned in 1.79% Job Postings): Utilizing techniques to study cell structures and functions for further research on human anatomy, physiology, and medications.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 14.17%
Data Analysis 3.45%
Cell Biology 1.79%
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 III - Academic's salary.
  • Oncology: Can increase your salary by up to 29%.
  • Microbiology: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Immunology: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Oncology
$116,745
29%
Microbiology
$111,315
23%
Immunology
$103,170
14%
Research and Development
$101,360
12%
Chemistry
$99,550
10%
Product Development
$98,645
9%
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Research Associate III - Academic Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Research Associate III - Academic salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $101,310. While startup companies pay approximate $85,705.

Research Associate III - Academic Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$85,705
Growth Stage51~500$90,644
Established501~5000$97,832
Enterprise5000+$101,310

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

For Research Associate III - 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 Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Research Associate III - Academic positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research Associate III - Academic as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Research Associate III - Academic

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$122,175$59.035%
Energy & Utilities$104,075$50.015%
Construction$99,550$48.010%
Software & Networking$99,550$48.010%
Business Services$95,025$46.05%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Research Associate III - Academics enter the field with a Master's Degree or MBA 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 III - Academic with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $88,700 and $96,391).

Research Associate III - Academic Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Research Associate III - Academic
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 0.3%
Associates 0.3%
Bachelors 8.8%
Masters 30.3%
Doctorate 59.8%
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Research Associate III - Academic Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Research Associate III - 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 August 01, 2026

Research Associate III - Academic Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Research Associate III - 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.

Research Associate III - Academic Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Associate Dean of Career Development $96,500 7%
Associate Dean of Computer and Information Systems $166,500 84%
College Dean of Dentistry $317,500 251%
Deputy Dean of Education $124,401 37%

Salary Trends for Research Associate III - Academic

Salaries for a Research Associate III - Academic can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $95,272 in 2023 to around $92,922 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Research Associate III - Academic salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Research Associate III - Academic Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$95,272
2024
$95,452
2025
$92,922
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $95,272
2024 $95,452
2025 $92,922
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Research Associate III - Academic

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Research Associate III - Academic

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Research Associate III - Academic job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Research Associate III - Academic

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

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Research Associate III - Academic roles, with salaries approximately 35% above the market median.

2. How do academic researchers make money?

Academic researchers often earn salaries funded by grants, which can vary significantly. For a Research Associate, salaries typically range from $80,500 to $108,800, with a midpoint around $94,000. This reliance on grants can create financial uncertainty, as funding isn't guaranteed, leading to potential gaps in income during grant application periods.

3. What is the highest salary for a research associate?

The highest salary for a Research Associate is $108,800. The salary range typically starts at a minimum of $80,500, with a mid-level salary of $94,000. This reflects the competitive nature of academic research positions and the value placed on experienced professionals in the field.

4. 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. For Research Associates, salaries range from $80,500 to $108,800, with a median of $94,000. Roles in R&D, AI development, and clinical research are particularly lucrative.

5. 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 $80,500 to $108,800, including a mid-salary of $94,000, it offers competitive compensation. Understanding this role can help you determine if it aligns with your career aspirations.

6. What does an academic researcher do?

Careers in academic research involve using specialized knowledge to conduct and analyze research, contributing to papers, books, and journals. Academic researchers also present at conferences and may supervise and teach university students. The salary for a Research Associate in this field ranges from $80,500 to $108,800, with a median salary of $94,000.

7. How do academic researchers make money?

Academic researchers often earn salaries funded by grants, which can vary significantly. For a Research Associate, salaries typically range from $80,500 to $108,800, with a median of $94,000. This reliance on grants can create financial uncertainty, as funding isn't guaranteed, leading to potential gaps in income during grant application periods.

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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