upper level job

Research and Development Associate IV Salary in Tennessee

How much does a Research and Development Associate IV make in Tennessee?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research and Development Associate IV in Tennessee is $122,790 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $144,963
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $112,179 to $134,396
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $102,519
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
Recruit with AI
Salary Salary + Bonus Benefits
Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $112,179 10% $102,519 90% $144,963 75% $134,396 $122,790 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Research and Development Associate IV Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $134,396 $11,200 $2,585 $65
Average $122,790 $10,232 $2,361 $59
25th Percentile $112,179 $9,348 $2,157 $54
Check out Research and Development Associate IV Job Openings in Tennessee
Associate Director of Development Operations

Rhodes College - Memphis, TN

Associate Dentist

Gentle Family Dentistry - WINSLOW, ME

Associate Dentist

Joy Family Dentistry - LEWISTON, ME

Associate Dentist

Creative Dental Solutions - BANGOR, ME

Search More Research and Development Associate IV Jobs in Tennessee
Select State
Select City in TN
Choose Similar Job
Choose Category
Cost of Living
Average Salary for United States
See it in Action

Key Factors That Influence Research and Development Associate IV Salaries

A Research and Development Associate IV'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 IV'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 II (2-4 years): $76,969
  • Research and Development Associate III (4-7 years): $93,136
  • Research and Development Associate IV (7+ years): $122,790
  • Research and Development Associate V (7-10 years): $149,938
  • Research and Development Associate VI (10-12 years): $200,540
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Research and Development Associate II2-4 years$76,969
Research and Development Associate III4-7 years$93,136
Research and Development Associate IV7+ years$122,790
Research and Development Associate V7-10 years$149,938
Research and Development Associate VI10-12 years$200,540
$76,969 Research ...
$93,136 Research ...
$122,790 Research ...
$149,938 Research ...
$200,540 Research ...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Research and Development Associate IVs

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:

  • Cornersville: $120,687
  • Lexington: $118,367
  • Iron City: $114,238

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

Research and Development Associate IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $137,339. While startup companies pay approximate $116,148.

Research and Development Associate IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$116,148
Growth Stage51~500$122,845
Established501~5000$132,627
Enterprise5000+$137,339

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

For Research and Development Associate IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Research and Development Associate positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research and Development Associate IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Research and Development Associate IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$153,487$74.025%
Software & Networking$147,347$71.020%
Healthcare$144,892$70.018%
Pharmaceuticals$141,208$68.015%
Aerospace & Defense$137,524$66.012%

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

Understanding how a Research and Development Associate IV'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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$112,179
Average $122,790/year
$134,396
$9,348
Average $10,232/month
$11,200
$2,157
Average $2,361/week
$2,585
$54
Average $59/hour
$65
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $134,396 $11,200 $2,585 $65
Average $122,790 $10,232 $2,361 $59
25th Percentile $112,179 $9,348 $2,157 $54

Research and Development Associate IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Research and Development Associate IV
Human Factors Researcher V
Research and Development Associate V
Human Factors Research Manager
SVP of Research & Development

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Research and Development Associate IV, 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 IV Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Human Factors Researcher V $148,518 21%
Research and Development Associate V $149,938 22%

Salaries of jobs related to Research and Development Associate IV

Find Your Next Research and Development Associate IV Job

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

United States
For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Cost of Living In Tennessee

Cost of Living in Tennessee is
-6.6% Lower
than the National Average

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.

Explore Cost of Living Calculator
Empower Your Team

Salary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.

Find Salary.com Comp Consulting
See Salary Trends in 2025

Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.

Price Your Company Jobs and Make Pay Fair

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine 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