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Research Specialist Salary in the United States

How Much Does a Research Specialist make?

Research Specialist made a median salary around $69,955 in March, 2025. The best-paid 25 percent made $81,571 probably that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made around $62,237. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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Check out Research Specialist jobs in Columbus, Ohio

Research Specialist - OUSD - TS/SCI with Security Clearance

Solutions Through Innovative Technologies, Inc. - Dayton, OH

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Senior Research Specialist - OUSD - TS/SCI with Security Clearance

Solutions Through Innovative Technologies, Inc. - Dayton, OH

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Best-Paying Cities for Research Specialist

The metropolitan areas that pay the highest salary in the Research Specialist profession are San Jose , San Francisco , Oakland , New York , Queens Village .
San Jose, CA $87,794
San Francisco, CA $87,444
Oakland, CA $85,346
New York, NY $81,708
Queens Village, NY $81,148

Best-Paying States for Research Specialist

The states and districts that pay Research Specialist the highest salary are District of Columbia (around $77,860) , California (around $77,161) , New Jersey (around $76,671) , Alaska (around $76,181) , and Massachusetts (around $76,111) .
District of Columbia $77,860
California $77,161
New Jersey $76,671
Alaska $76,181
Massachusetts $76,111

What is the Career Path of Research Specialist?

A career path is a sequence of jobs that leads to your short- and long-term career goals. Some follow a linear career path within one field, while others change fields periodically to achieve career or personal goals.

For Research Specialist, the upper level is Operations Research Analyst II , and then progresses to Operations Research Analysis Supervisor
Besides, Research Specialist can also turn to other related jobs, including Claims Research Specialist , Clinical Research Specialist , Market Research Specialist and Research Compliance Specialist .

Frequently Asked Questions for Research Specialist

Q: What is the salary range of Research Specialist?
A: In 2025 , the lowest-paid Research Specialist earned an average annual salary of $62,237 , while the highest-paid made $81,571.
Q: What is the salary for a Research Specialist in California?
A: Research Specialist employed in California earned an average salary of $77,161 in 2025.

Average Research Specialist Pay vs. Other Jobs

Research Specialist earned an average salary of $69,955 in 2025. Other jobs related to Research Specialist earned the following average salary in March, 2025. Claims Research Specialist made $53,559 , Clinical Research Specialist made $80,772 , Market Research Specialist and Research Compliance Specialist made $76,996 and $66,787 respectively .

Relevant Jobs of Research Specialist

Claims Research Specialist - Average Salary $53,559
There is currently no job description for Claims Research Specialist, be the first to submit the job responsibilities for Claims Research Specialist.
Clinical Research Specialist - Average Salary $80,772
There is currently no job description for Clinical Research Specialist, be the first to submit the job responsibilities for Clinical Research Specialist.
Market Research Specialist - Average Salary $76,996
There is currently no job description for Market Research Specialist, be the first to submit the job responsibilities for Market Research Specialist.
Research Compliance Specialist - Average Salary $66,787
There is currently no job description for Research Compliance Specialist, be the first to submit the job responsibilities for Research Compliance Specialist.
Research Data Specialist - Average Salary $113,804
There is currently no job description for Research Data Specialist, be the first to submit the job responsibilities for Research Data Specialist.