Research Tech Salary in the United States

How much does a Research Tech make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Tech in the United States is $51,992 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $62,270
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $48,763 to $57,372
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,823
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View as table View as graph 25% $48,763 10% $45,823 90% $62,270 75% $57,372 $51,992 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Research Tech Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $57,372 $4,781 $1,103 $28
Average $51,992 $4,333 $1,000 $25
25th Percentile $48,763 $4,064 $938 $23
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Key Factors That Influence Research Tech Salaries

A Research Tech'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 Tech Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Research Tech'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): $51,544
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $51,678
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $52,127
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $52,665
  • Expert (over 8 years): $54,298
Levels Salary
Entry Level Research Tech$51,544
Intermediate Level Research Tech$51,678
Senior Level Research Tech$52,127
Specialist Level Research Tech$52,665
Expert Level Research Tech$54,298
$51,544 0 yr
$51,678 < 2 yrs
$52,127 2-4 yrs
$52,665 5-8 yrs
$54,298 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Research Teches

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: $65,578
  • San Francisco: $64,933
  • Oakland: $63,493

What Skills Can Increase a Research Tech's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 8.31% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Business Administration (Mentioned in 3.1% Job Postings): It is the management of all aspects of a business's performance, decisions, and organization. It includes the day to day operations, aspects including finances and human resources, and ensures the company stays aligned to the goal or mission.
  • Laundry (Mentioned in 1.75% Job Postings): Laundry refers to the washing of clothing and other textiles. Laundry processes are often done in a room reserved for that purpose; in an individual home this is referred to as a laundry room, Laundry in Australian English or utility room. An apartment building or student hall of residence may have a shared laundry facility such as a tvättstuga. A stand-alone business is referred to as a self-service laundry (launderette in British English or laundromat in American English). The material that is being washed, or has been laundered, is also generally referred to as laundry. Laundry has been part of history since humans began to wear clothes, so the methods by which different cultures have dealt with this universal human need are of interest to several branches of scholarship. Laundry work has traditionally been highly gendered, with the responsibility in most cultures falling to women (known as laundresses or washerwomen). The Industrial Revolution gradually led to mechanised solutions to laundry work, notably the washing machine and later the tumble dryer. Laundry, like cooking and child care, is done both at home and by commercial establishments outside the home.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 8.31%
Business Administration 3.1%
Laundry 1.75%
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 Tech's salary.
  • Alignment: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Alignment
$57,711
11%
Analysis
$57,711
11%
Coordination
$55,112
6%
Presentation
$55,112
6%
Performance Review
$54,592
5%
Commitment
$54,592
5%
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How Education impacts a Research Tech's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Research Teches enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Research Tech with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $50,438 and $56,424).

Research Tech Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Research Tech
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 26.4%
High School 26.4%
Associates 17.2%
Bachelors 50.6%
Masters 5.7%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Research Tech Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Research Tech'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 April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Research Tech

Salaries for a Research Tech can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $50,768 in 2023 to around $50,838 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Research Tech salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Research Tech Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$50,768
2024
$51,391
2025
$50,838
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $50,768
2024 $51,391
2025 $50,838
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Research Tech

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Research Tech

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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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