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Research and Development Associate I Salary in the United States

How much does a Research and Development Associate I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research and Development Associate I in the United States is $70,815 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $86,100
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,649 to $78,816
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $55,214
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Research and Development Associate I Salaries

A Research and Development Associate I'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 and Development Associate I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Research and Development Associate I'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:

  • Research and Development Associate I (0-2 years): $70,815
  • Research and Development Associate II (2-4 years): $82,360
  • Research and Development Associate III (4-7 years): $99,654
  • Research and Development Associate IV (7+ years): $131,399
  • Research and Development Associate V (7-10 years): $160,445
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Research and Development Associate I0-2 years$70,815
Research and Development Associate II2-4 years$82,360
Research and Development Associate III4-7 years$99,654
Research and Development Associate IV7+ years$131,399
Research and Development Associate V7-10 years$160,445
View as Graph

How Do Research and Development Associate Is 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 and Development Associate Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $78,406.
  • California: $78,109.
  • Massachusetts: $77,068.

Top Paying Cities for Research and Development Associate I

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: $89,319
  • San Francisco: $88,341
  • Oakland: $86,479

What Skills Can Increase a Research and Development Associate I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 12.04% 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 2.73% 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.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 1.81% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 12.04%
Data Analysis 2.73%
SOP 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 and Development Associate I's salary.

  • Corporate Development: Can increase your salary by up to 32%.
  • Process Development: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Corporate Development $93,476
32%
Process Development $75,772
7%
Commitment $75,772
7%
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Research and Development Associate I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Research and Development Associate I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $79,273. While startup companies pay approximate $67,063.

Research and Development Associate I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $67,063
Growth Stage 51~500 $70,927
Established 501~5000 $76,552
Enterprise 5000+ $79,273

Research and Development Associate I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Research and Development Associate I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Research and Development Associate positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research and Development Associate I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Research and Development Associate I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$95,600$46.035%
Pharmaceuticals$92,060$44.030%
Biotechnology$88,519$43.025%
Financial Services$88,519$43.025%
Internet$84,978$41.020%

How Education impacts an Research and Development Associate I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Research and Development Associate I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Research and Development Associate I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $69,477 and $74,521.

Research and Development Associate I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Research and Development Associate I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 2.0%
Associates 3.2%
Bachelors 56.5%
Masters 28.2%
Doctorate 9.5%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Research and Development Associate I'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
$62,649
Average $70,815/year
$78,816
$5,221
Average $5,901/month
$6,568
$1,205
Average $1,362/week
$1,516
$30
Average $34/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $78,816 $6,568 $1,516 $38
Average $70,815 $5,901 $1,362 $34
25th Percentile $62,649 $5,221 $1,205 $30

Research and Development Associate I Salary Growth & Career Path

Research and Development Associate I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Research and Development Associate I, 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
Human Factors Researcher II $99,461 40%
Research and Development Engineer $116,931 65%
Research and Development Associate II $82,360 16%

Most common benefits for Research and Development Associate I

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

Common company salaries for Research and Development Associate I

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

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FAQ about Research and Development Associate I

1. Where can a Research and Development Associate I earn the most?

A Research and Development Associate I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Research and Development Associate I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Research and Development Associate I is $89,319.

2. What is the highest pay for Research and Development Associate I?

The highest pay for Research and Development Associate I is $86,100.

3. What is the lowest pay for Research and Development Associate I?

The lowest pay for Research and Development Associate I is $55,214.

4. What are the responsibilities of Research and Development Associate I?

Participates in research and design activities that develop or improve products, components, technologies, or processes. Utilizes mathematical and scientific frameworks to compile and analyze data. Documents research and development methodologies and ensures adherence to scientific, engineering, and industry standards. Writes technical reports detailing procedures, outcomes, and observations. Conducts prototype testing to ensure quality, safety, and compliance with internal and external standards, regulations, and requirements. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Research and Development Associate I?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Research and Development Associate I roles, with salaries approximately 35% above the market median.

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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