What are the main factors that influence a Research and Development Associate III's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Research and Development Associate III?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Research and Development Associate III roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

How does experience change A Research and Development Associate 's salary?

A Research and Development Associate 's salary grows with experience: a Research and Development Associate I (0-2 years)earns $73,422, a Research and Development Associate II (2-4 years)earns $85,395, a Research and Development Associate III (4-7 years)earns $103,332, a Research and Development Associate IV (7+ years)earns $136,231, a Research and Development Associate V (7-10 years)earns $166,351,

What are the highest paying states for a Research and Development Associate III?

Research and Development Associate III salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Research and Development Associate III roles are District of Columbia $110,348, California $109,929, Massachusetts $108,464. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Research and Development Associate roles make?

Salaries for Research and Development Associate level roles vary by specialization: Research and Development Associate VI: $214,596; Research and Development Associate V: $160,447; Research and Development Associate IV: $131,396; Pathology Research Associate III: $127,200; Assay Development Research Associate: $102,028.

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Research and Development Associate III Salary in Rhode Island

How much does a Research and Development Associate III make in Rhode Island?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research and Development Associate III in Rhode Island is $103,332 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $120,111
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $95,554 to $112,114
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $88,472

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Research and Development Associate III Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$112,114	$9,343	$2,156	$54
Average	$103,332	$8,611	$1,987	$50
25th Percentile	$95,554	$7,963	$1,838	$46

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Key Factors That Influence Research and Development Associate III Salaries

A Research and Development Associate III'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.

How Experience Level Affects Research and Development Associate Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Research and Development Associate III'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): $73,422
Research and Development Associate II (2-4 years): $85,395
Research and Development Associate III (4-7 years): $103,332
Research and Development Associate IV (7+ years): $136,231
Research and Development Associate V (7-10 years): $166,351

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Research and Development Associate I	0-2 years	$73,422
Research and Development Associate II	2-4 years	$85,395
Research and Development Associate III	4-7 years	$103,332
Research and Development Associate IV	7+ years	$136,231
Research and Development Associate V	7-10 years	$166,351

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Research and Development Associate 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 and Development Associate IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $110,348.
California: $109,929.
Massachusetts: $108,464.

District of Columbia $110,348 California $109,929 Massachusetts $108,464 Washington $108,066 New Jersey $108,026 Alaska $107,886 Connecticut $106,511 New York $105,953

Hawaii $104,169 Rhode Island $103,332 Maryland $102,764 Minnesota $101,986 Colorado $101,687 Illinois $101,588 Oregon $101,209 Delaware $100,930

New Hampshire $100,754 Virginia $100,362 Pennsylvania $99,216 Nevada $98,637 North Dakota $98,448 Michigan $98,149 Wisconsin $98,039 Vermont $97,820

Texas $97,212 Maine $97,172 Arizona $97,113 Ohio $97,043 Georgia $96,126 Indiana $95,667 Wyoming $95,578 Utah $95,438

Iowa $95,378 Kansas $94,900 Louisiana $94,761 North Carolina $94,711 Missouri $94,691 Florida $94,302 Montana $94,093 Nebraska $93,893

Kentucky $93,784 South Carolina $93,385 Tennessee $93,136 Idaho $93,036 New Mexico $92,309 Oklahoma $92,149 Alabama $91,561 South Dakota $90,575

Arkansas $90,036 West Virginia $89,747 Mississippi $88,880

Top Paying Cities for Research and Development Associate 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:

Adamsville: $104,623
Albion: $103,739
Ashaway: $104,425

Adamsville, RI $104,623 Albion, RI $103,739 Ashaway, RI $104,425 Barrington, RI $103,466 Block Island, RI $104,042 Bradford, RI $104,362 Bristol, RI $103,865 Carolina, RI $104,190

Charlestown, RI $104,228 Chepachet, RI $104,020 Clayville, RI $103,730 Coventry, RI $103,735 West Greenwich, RI $104,021 East Greenwich, RI $103,666 Exeter, RI $103,992 Fiskeville, RI $103,464

Forestdale, RI $104,262 Foster, RI $103,965 Glendale, RI $104,269 Greene, RI $104,102 Greenville, RI $103,504 Harmony, RI $103,638 Harrisville, RI $104,225 Hope, RI $103,529

Hope Valley, RI $104,333 Hopkinton, RI $104,471 Jamestown, RI $104,122 Kenyon, RI $104,177 Little Compton, RI $104,607 Manville, RI $103,876 Mapleville, RI $104,040 Newport, RI $104,227

Middletown, RI $104,272 North Kingstown, RI $103,844 North Scituate, RI $103,639 Oakland, RI $104,153 Pascoag, RI $104,293 Pawtucket, RI $103,312 Central Falls, RI $103,358 Cumberland, RI $103,945

Lincoln, RI $103,461 Portsmouth, RI $104,216 Prudence Island, RI $104,001 Rockville, RI $104,455 Saunderstown, RI $104,059 Shannock, RI $104,183 Slatersville, RI $104,262 Slocum, RI $104,056

Tiverton, RI $104,533 Wakefield, RI $104,148 Kingston, RI $104,108 Narragansett, RI $104,177 Peace Dale, RI $104,135 Warren, RI $103,733 Warwick, RI $103,444 Westerly, RI $104,450

West Kingston, RI $104,141 West Warwick, RI $103,571 Wood River Junction, RI $104,289 Woonsocket, RI $104,267 North Smithfield, RI $104,030 Wyoming, RI $104,183 Providence, RI $103,282 Cranston, RI $103,296

North Providence, RI $103,308 East Providence, RI $103,289 Riverside, RI $103,322 Rumford, RI $103,307 Smithfield, RI $103,516 Johnston, RI $103,343

Research and Development Associate III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Research and Development Associate III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $115,576. While startup companies pay approximate $97,742.

Research and Development Associate III Salary by Company Size

Company Size	Employees	Average Salary
Startup	1~50	$97,742
Growth Stage	51~500	$103,378
Established	501~5000	$111,610
Enterprise	5000+	$115,576

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

For Research and Development Associate III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Research and Development Associate positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research and Development Associate III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Research and Development Associate III

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense	$113,665	$55.0	10%
Biotechnology	$113,665	$55.0	10%
Energy & Utilities	$113,665	$55.0	10%
Financial Services	$113,665	$55.0	10%
Healthcare	$113,665	$55.0	10%

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

Understanding how a Research and Development Associate 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 July 01, 2026

$95,554

Average $103,332/year

$112,114

$7,963

Average $8,611/month

$9,343

$1,838

Average $1,987/week

$2,156

$46

Average $50/hour

$54

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$112,114	$9,343	$2,156	$54
Average	$103,332	$8,611	$1,987	$50
25th Percentile	$95,554	$7,963	$1,838	$46

Research and Development Associate III Salary Growth & Career Path

Research and Development Associate III

Human Factors Researcher IV

Research and Development Associate IV

Human Factors Researcher V

SVP of Research & Development

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Research and Development Associate III, 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 and Development Associate III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role	Estimate Salary	Projected Raise
Human Factors Researcher IV	$139,610	35%
Research and Development Associate IV	$136,231	32%

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