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Research Associate, Pharma III Salary in the United States

How much does a Research Associate, Pharma III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Associate, Pharma III in the United States is $69,030 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $81,983
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,100 to $75,810
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $55,791
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Research Associate, Pharma III Salaries

A Research Associate, Pharma III'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, Pharma III 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, Pharma IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $76,430.
  • California: $76,140.
  • Massachusetts: $75,130.

Top Paying Cities for Research Associate, Pharma IIIs

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: $87,070
  • San Francisco: $86,110
  • Oakland: $84,300

What Skills Can Increase a Research Associate, Pharma III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 13.62% 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 3.15% 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.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 1.81% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 13.62%
Data Analysis 3.15%
Economics 1.81%
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, Pharma III's salary.

  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Biotechnology: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Insight $84,217
22%
Biotechnology $73,862
7%
Written Communication $73,172
6%
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Research Associate, Pharma III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Research Associate, Pharma III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $75,847. While startup companies pay approximate $64,472.

Research Associate, Pharma III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $64,472
Growth Stage 51~500 $68,102
Established 501~5000 $73,319
Enterprise 5000+ $75,847

Research Associate, Pharma III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Research Associate, Pharma III roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Research Associate, Pharma positions in Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Research Associate, Pharma III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Research Associate, Pharma III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$82,836$40.020%

How Education impacts a Research Associate, Pharma III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Research Associate, Pharma IIIs 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, Pharma III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $71,109 and $74,149).

Research Associate, Pharma III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Research Associate, Pharma III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 0.3%
Associates 1.6%
Bachelors 45.2%
Masters 42.8%
Doctorate 9.9%
View as Graph

Research Associate, Pharma III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Research Associate, Pharma III'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
$62,100
Average $69,030/year
$75,810
$5,175
Average $5,753/month
$6,318
$1,194
Average $1,328/week
$1,458
$30
Average $33/hour
$36
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $75,810 $6,318 $1,458 $36
Average $69,030 $5,753 $1,328 $33
25th Percentile $62,100 $5,175 $1,194 $30

Research Associate, Pharma III Salary Growth & Career Path

Research Associate, Pharma III

Next Role

For a Research Associate, Pharma III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Expert Laboratory Assistant role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $108,800 - a projected growth of 58% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Research Associate, Pharma III

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

Common company salaries for Research Associate, Pharma III

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

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FAQ about Research Associate, Pharma III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Research Associate, Pharma III?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Research Associate, Pharma III roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What grade is a Research Associate?

A Research Associate typically falls under the Specialist and Supporting Job Family (SSA) at grade 6. This role involves conducting standalone research. Salary for a Research Associate ranges from $68,700 to $80,370, with a midpoint of $73,950. In contrast, a grade 5 Research Assistant assists with research, while a grade 7 Senior Research Associate leads and manages projects.

3. How much does a cra iii make at IQVIA?

A Clinical Research Associate III at IQVIA typically earns between $68,700 and $80,370, with a median salary of around $73,950. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and location within the company.

4. What is a research associate 1, 2, and 3?

A Research Associate (RA) is involved in supporting research activities, interpreting protocols, and working under the guidance of senior staff. RA I typically earns between $68,700 and $80,370, with a mid-salary of $73,950. As they progress to RA II and RA III, responsibilities increase, along with potential salary adjustments reflecting their experience and expertise.

5. How much does a researcher III make at UAB?

The estimated total pay range for a Research Associate in the pharmaceutical field is approximately $68,700 to $80,370 per year, which includes base salary and additional compensation. The mid-salary for this position is around $73,950.

6. What is Research Associate III?

Research Associate III is a role that builds on the responsibilities of Research Associate II, often involving supervision and management of team members. This position typically offers a salary range from $68,700 to $80,370, with a midpoint of $73,950, reflecting the increased responsibilities and expertise required in the role.

7. How much does a research associate III at Broad Institute make?

The estimated total pay range for a Research Associate III at The Broad Institute is approximately $68,700 to $80,370 per year, based on industry data. The average base salary for this position is around $73,950 annually.

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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