Research Scholar Salary in Berkeley, CA

How much does a Research Scholar make in Berkeley, CA?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Scholar in Berkeley, CA is $82,206 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $97,351
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,426 to $90,133
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $57,791
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View as table View as graph 25% $69,426 10% $57,791 90% $97,351 75% $90,133 $82,206 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Research Scholar Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $90,133 $7,511 $1,733 $43
Average $82,206 $6,851 $1,581 $40
25th Percentile $69,426 $5,786 $1,335 $33
Check out Research Scholar Job Openings in Berkeley, CA
Research Scholar

Inside Higher Ed - Palo Alto, CA

Research Scholar

Inside Higher Ed - Palo Alto, CA

Research Scholar

P2P - San Francisco, CA

Social Science Research Scholar

Stanford University - Stanford, CA

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Key Factors That Influence Research Scholar Salaries

A Research Scholar'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, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Research Scholar Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Research Scholar'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $80,964
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $81,319
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $84,869
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $87,555
  • Expert (over 8 years): $88,629
Levels Salary
Entry Level Research Scholar$80,964
Intermediate Level Research Scholar$81,319
Senior Level Research Scholar$84,869
Specialist Level Research Scholar$87,555
Expert Level Research Scholar$88,629
$80,964 0 yr
$81,319 < 2 yrs
$84,869 2-4 yrs
$87,555 5-8 yrs
$88,629 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Research Scholars

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: $84,906
  • San Francisco: $84,071
  • Oakland: $82,206

What Skills Can Increase a Research Scholar's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.25% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Laboratory Equipment (Mentioned in 2.89% Job Postings): Utilizing various tools and equipment to conduct scientific researches, teach practical science, or perform laboratory experiments.
  • Quality Assurance (Mentioned in 1.88% Job Postings): Verifying the adherence of product with required specifications and expectations to track and resolve deficiencies prior to product release.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.25%
Laboratory Equipment 2.89%
Quality Assurance 1.88%
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 Scholar's salary.
  • Clinical Research: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Clinical Research
 $87,139
6%
Collaboration
 $86,317
5%
Presentation
 $86,317
5%
Molecular Biology
 $85,495
4%
Organizing
 $83,850
2%
Innovation
 $83,850
2%
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Research Scholar Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Research Scholar'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 January 01, 2026
$69,426
Average $82,206/year
$90,133
$5,786
Average $6,851/month
$7,511
$1,335
Average $1,581/week
$1,733
$33
Average $40/hour
$43
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $90,133 $7,511 $1,733 $43
Average $82,206 $6,851 $1,581 $40
25th Percentile $69,426 $5,786 $1,335 $33

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Cost of Living In Berkeley, CA

Cost of Living in Berkeley, CA is
69.0% Higher
than the National Average

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