Postdoctoral Research Scholar Salary in the United States

How much does a Postdoctoral Research Scholar make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Postdoctoral Research Scholar in the United States is $39,724 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $45,621
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $36,545 to $42,811
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $33,650
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View as table View as graph 25% $36,545 10% $33,650 90% $45,621 75% $42,811 $39,724 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Postdoctoral Research Scholar Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $42,811 $3,568 $823 $21
Average $39,724 $3,310 $764 $19
25th Percentile $36,545 $3,045 $703 $18
Check out Postdoctoral Research Scholar Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence Postdoctoral Research Scholar Salaries

A Postdoctoral 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Postdoctoral Research Scholar Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Postdoctoral 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): $39,724
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $40,044
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $40,785
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $40,933
  • Expert (over 8 years): $41,032
Levels Salary
Entry Level Postdoctoral Research Scholar$39,724
Intermediate Level Postdoctoral Research Scholar$40,044
Senior Level Postdoctoral Research Scholar$40,785
Specialist Level Postdoctoral Research Scholar$40,933
Expert Level Postdoctoral Research Scholar$41,032
$39,724 0 yr
$40,044 < 2 yrs
$40,785 2-4 yrs
$40,933 5-8 yrs
$41,032 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Postdoctoral Research Scholar Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Postdoctoral Research Scholars. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $43,982.
  • California: $43,816.
  • Massachusetts: $43,232.

Top Paying Cities for Postdoctoral 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: $50,104
  • San Francisco: $49,555
  • Oakland: $48,511

What Skills Can Increase a Postdoctoral Research Scholar's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Accountability (Mentioned in 5.46% Job Postings): Setting and holding oneself and others to stated expectations by associating tasks with our business's mission, values, and goals.
  • Business Analysis (Mentioned in 2.85% Job Postings): Analyzing an organization's structure, process, technology, and capabilities to determine changes needed for achieving organizational goals.
  • Research and Development (Mentioned in 2.85% Job Postings): Research and development (R&D, R+D, or R'n'D), known in Europe as research and technological development (RTD), refers to innovative activities undertaken by corporations or governments in developing new services or products, or improving existing services or products. Research and development constitutes the first stage of development of a potential new service or the production process. R&D activities differ from institution to institution, with two primary models of an R&D department either staffed by engineers and tasked with directly developing new products, or staffed with industrial scientists and tasked with applied research in scientific or technological fields, which may facilitate future product development. R&D differs from the vast majority of corporate activities in that it is not intended to yield immediate profit, and generally carries greater risk and an uncertain return on investment. However R&D is crucial for acquiring larger shares of the market through the marketisation of new products.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Accountability 5.46%
Business Analysis 2.85%
Research and Development 2.85%
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 Postdoctoral Research Scholar's salary.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 51%.
  • Workforce Development: Can increase your salary by up to 32%.
  • Alignment: Can increase your salary by up to 30%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management
$59,983
51%
Workforce Development
$52,436
32%
Alignment
$51,641
30%
Salesforce
$50,847
28%
Relationship Management
$50,449
27%
Public Speaking
$49,655
25%
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Postdoctoral Research Scholar Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Postdoctoral Research Scholar roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Insurance, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Postdoctoral Research Scholar positions in Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Postdoctoral Research Scholar as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Postdoctoral Research Scholar

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$47,669$23.020%

How Education impacts a Postdoctoral Research Scholar's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Postdoctoral Research Scholars enter the field with a Associate's Degree 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 Postdoctoral Research Scholar with a Associate's Degree is between $47,838 and $51,089).

Postdoctoral Research Scholar Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Postdoctoral Research Scholar
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 47.8%
High School 47.8%
Associates 17.4%
Bachelors 30.4%
Masters 4.3%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Postdoctoral Research Scholar Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Postdoctoral 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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Postdoctoral Research Scholar

Salaries for a Postdoctoral Research Scholar can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $35,082 in 2023 to around $34,163 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Postdoctoral Research Scholar salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Postdoctoral Research Scholar Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$35,082
2024
$34,719
2025
$34,163
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $35,082
2024 $34,719
2025 $34,163
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Postdoctoral Research Scholar

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

Here are companies hiring for Postdoctoral Research Scholar and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Postdoctoral Research Scholar Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Postdoctoral Research Scholar job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full Bene... more

    11 Days Ago

  • Maxim Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Maxim Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Private duty nursing (PDN) allows medically fragile patients to receive quality, skilled nursing care in the comfort of their home: a setting preferred by ... more

    13 Days Ago

  • XPO

    Columbus, OH

    CDL

    XPO | Columbus, OH

    XPO is Hiring Driver Teams. XPO Teams. As an XPO Team, you’ll run dedicated routes between XPO facilities in. new sleeper. trucks equipped with microwaves ... more

    13 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

    14 Days Ago

  • Family Dollar

    Columbus, OH

    Family Dollar | Columbus, OH

    Customer Service Associate. We're seeking a Customer Service Associate to join our team and deliver a great shopping experience for every customer. Duties ... more

    16 Days Ago

  • GO Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

    16 Days Ago

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FAQ about Postdoctoral Research Scholar

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Postdoctoral Research Scholar?

The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for Postdoctoral Research Scholar roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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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