upper level job

Research Associate III - Academic Salary in the United States

How much does a Research Associate III - Academic make in the United States? (2025)

As of August 01, 2025, Research Associate III - Academics in the United States earn an average annual salary of $90,500 with an hourly rate of $44. Salary ranges from $65,091 (10th percentile) to $106,548 (90th percentile), with the majority earning between $77,200 (25th percentile) and $98,900 (75th percentile). Compensation varies based on experience, skills, company size, and local market factors - all explored below.

View as table View as graph 25% $77,200 10% $65,091 90% $106,548 75% $98,900 $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 $98,900 $8,242 $1,902 $48
Average $90,500 $7,542 $1,740 $44
25th Percentile $77,200 $6,433 $1,485 $37
500+ Research Associate III - Academic job openings Go >

How much does a Research Associate III - Academic make by hour, week, month, and year?

Salary.com provides you with accurate and diversified Research Associate III - Academic salary data based on specialized databases to help you get a fairer salary. The average annual pay for a Research Associate III - Academic is about $90,500 a year, this translates to an approximate hourly rate of $44, a monthly salary of about $7,542, and a weekly pay of around $1,740. Click the switch button below to see more details about Research Associate III - Academic hourly pay, weekly pay, monthly pay and so on.

Last Updated on August 01, 2025

How does experience level affect a Research Associate III - Academic's Salary?

An entry-level Research Associate III - Academic with less than 1 year of experience earns about $84,545. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $85,537. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $87,522. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $90,500, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $93,634.

Levels Salary
Entry Level Research Associate III - Academic $84,545
Intermediate Level Research Associate III - Academic $85,537
Senior Level Research Associate III - Academic $87,522
Specialist Level Research Associate III - Academic $90,500
Expert Level Research Associate III - Academic $93,634
$84,545 0 yr
$85,537 < 2 yrs
$87,522 2-4 yrs
$90,500 5-8 yrs
$93,634 > 8 yrs
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

How much does salary of Research Associate III - Academic vary from state to state?

Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.

For example, as of August 01, 2025:
  • In California, the average yearly salary for a Research Associate III - Academic is $99,800.
  • In Massachusetts, the average annual salary is $98,500.
  • In New Jersey, a Research Associate III - Academic earns $98,100 per year.

How much does salary of Research Associate III - Academic vary from city to city?

Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.

For example, as of August 01, 2025:
  • In San Francisco, CA, the average yearly salary for a Research Associate III - Academic is $113,000.
  • In New York, NY, the average annual salary is $104,900.
  • In Boston, MA, a Research Associate III - Academic earns $101,000 per year.

What are the salaries of a Research Associate III - Academic with different levels of education?

Salaries for Research Associate III - Academic with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate

According to our 100% employer reported salary sources the median salary for a Research Associate III - Academic with a Master's Degree or MBA is $88,700 - $96,391. Please try our salary wizard to explore how other factors like location, Years of experience and number of direct reports can impact your base pay and bonus.

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%
view as graph

What is the salary trend of Research Associate III - Academic?

As of August 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Research Associate III - Academic compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $95,272 in 2023 to approximately $92,922 in 2025. (For a detailed analysis of Research Associate III - Academic salary trends, click here.)

Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.

Average Annual Salary of Research Associate III - Academic Over Time

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

Research Associate III - Academic bonus and incentive rates

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Base Salary 67.9%
Bonuses 3.4%
Social Security 5.5%
401k/403b 3.0%
Disability 1.4%
Healthcare 6.3%
Pension 3.8%
Time Off 8.8%
Employers: Find Surveys For This Job
Median % of Total
Base Salary $90,500 67.9%
Bonus $4,500 3.4%
Median % of Total
Social Security $7,268 5.5%
401K/403B $3,990 3.0%
Disability $1,900 1.4%
Healthcare $8,352 6.3%
Pension $5,130 3.8%
Time Off $11,692 8.8%
Total Compensation $133,332 100%

Most common benefits for Research Associate III - Academic

Common company salaries for Research Associate III - Academic

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

Job openings of Research Associate III - Academic

Salary.com job board provides millions of Research Associate III - Academic information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Research Associate III - Academic job openings or enter a new job title here.

FAQ about Research Associate III - Academic

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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 $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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

About Our Data

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job