As of May 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Researcher I - Academic in the United States is $57,807. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $51,212 to $66,389, with most professionals earning between $45,208 and $74,202.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $66,389 | $5,532 | $1,277 | $32 |
| Average | $57,807 | $4,817 | $1,112 | $28 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,212 | $4,268 | $985 | $25 |
An entry-level Researcher I - Academic with less than 1 year of experience earns about $57,315. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $57,807. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $59,344. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $60,369, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $60,625.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Researcher I - Academic | $57,315 |
| Intermediate Level Researcher I - Academic | $57,807 |
| Senior Level Researcher I - Academic | $59,344 |
| Specialist Level Researcher I - Academic | $60,369 |
| Expert Level Researcher I - Academic | $60,625 |
| Entry Level | 1% |
| Mid Level | 0% |
| Senior Level | 3% |
| Top Level | 4% |
| Experienced | 5% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of May 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Researcher I - Academic compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $52,789 in 2023 to approximately $52,194 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Researcher I - Academic salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Researcher I - Academic information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Researcher I - Academic job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Researcher I - Academic and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $57,807 | 63.9% | ||
| Bonus | $4,609 | 5.1% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $4,775 | 5.3% | ||
| 401K/403B | $2,621 | 2.9% | ||
| Disability | $1,248 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 9.2% | ||
| Pension | $3,370 | 3.7% | ||
| Time Off | $7,682 | 8.5% | ||
| Total Compensation | $90,465 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.3% |
| High School | 0.9% |
| Associates | 0.7% |
| Bachelors | 41.3% |
| Masters | 37.5% |
| Doctorate | 19.4% |
What Am I Worth?
The average annual salary of Researcher I - Academic is $57,807. In case you are finding an easy salary calculator, the average hourly pay of Researcher I - Academic is $28; the average weekly pay of Researcher I - Academic is $1,112; the average monthly pay of Researcher I - Academic is $4,817.
A Researcher I - Academic'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 Researcher I - Academic earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Researcher I - Academic is $72,912.
The highest pay for Researcher I - Academic is $74,202.
The lowest pay for Researcher I - Academic is $45,208.
Carries out research/development activities. Makes detailed observations, analyzes data, and interprets results. Compiles results and prepares technical reports and documentation of outcomes. Develops research or policy papers, studies, and reports by conducting research in specific areas. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Work is closely managed. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
Futures: Futures are derivative financial contracts obligating the buyer to purchase an asset or the seller to sell an asset at a predetermined future date and set price.
Immunology: Immunology is the study of the immune system and is a very important branch of the medical and biological sciences. The immune system protects us from infection through various lines of defence.
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.
