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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Associate in Washington is $65,938 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.
However, a Research Associate's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Research Associate Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $75,934 | $6,328 | $1,460 | $37 |
| Average | $65,938 | $5,495 | $1,268 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,841 | $4,737 | $1,093 | $27 |
Nourish - Seattle, WA
Atlassian - Seattle, WA
Systimmune - Redmond, WA
D.A. Davidson - Seattle, WA
A Research Associate'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Research Associate'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Staff Nur... Level Research Associate | $100,761 |
| Research ... Level Research Associate | $65,203 |
| Clinical ... Level Research Associate | $75,448 |
| Scientist... Level Research Associate | $107,150 |
| Clinical ... Level Research Associate | $115,751 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Research Associate roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Research Associate positions in Pharmaceuticals or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research Associate as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $79,125 | $38.0 | 20% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $72,532 | $35.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Research Associate'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $75,934 | $6,328 | $1,460 | $37 |
| Average | $65,938 | $5,495 | $1,268 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,841 | $4,737 | $1,093 | $27 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Research Associate job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Allen Spolden
Seattle, WA
Allen Spolden | Seattle, WA
Job Title. Responsible for providing Clinical Research support for all clinical trials. Location. Seattle, Washington, United States, 98101. Job Type. Full... more
8 Days Ago
BrainChild Bio
Seattle, WA
BrainChild Bio | Seattle, WA
Job Description. Job Description. BrainChild Bio Analytical Development team is seeking to hire a Senior Research Associate to add to our growing team. The... more
7 Days Ago
INBIOS INTERNATIONAL INC
Seattle, WA
INBIOS INTERNATIONAL INC | Seattle, WA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. About the Opportunity. We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Research Associate III to join our ... more
7 Days Ago
Systimmune
Bothell, WA
Systimmune | Bothell, WA
Job Description. Job Description. SystImmune is a leading and well-funded clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company located in Redmond, WA and Princeton, NJ... more
7 Days Ago
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Seattle, WA
Vertex Pharmaceuticals | Seattle, WA
Seattle Research Technology Associate DirectorApplylocations: Seattle, WAtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todayjob requisition id: REQ-29614**Job Desc... more
10 Days Ago
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (US)
Seattle, WA
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (US) | Seattle, WA
General Summary. This role leads laboratory technology support and continuous evolution across Seattle, and is the accountable Research Site Partner for Se... more
10 Days Ago
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