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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Assistant II in California is $76,128 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.
However, a Research Assistant II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Research Assistant II Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $82,591 | $6,883 | $1,588 | $40 |
| Average | $76,128 | $6,344 | $1,464 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,546 | $5,379 | $1,241 | $31 |
Abbott - Alameda, CA
City of Hope - Irvine, CA
Planet Pharma - South San Francisco, CA
BEPC Inc. - Business Excellence Professional Consulting - South San Francisco, CA
A Research Assistant II'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.
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 Assistant IIs. 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 Assistant II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 53% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Research Assistant positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research Assistant II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $95,160 | $46.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $91,353 | $44.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $87,547 | $42.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $83,740 | $40.0 | 10% |
| Chemicals | $83,740 | $40.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Research Assistant II'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 | $82,591 | $6,883 | $1,588 | $40 |
| Average | $76,128 | $6,344 | $1,464 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,546 | $5,379 | $1,241 | $31 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Research Assistant II job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Imperative Care
Campbell, CA
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Job Description. Job Description. Title: Clinical Research Associate II. Location. This position is based in our Campbell, California offices. This positio... more
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University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA
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PAVIR
Palo Alto, CA
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Job Description. Job Description. Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research (PAVIR is looking for a full-time Clinical Research Coordinator II. The Researc... more
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AbbVie
San Diego, CA
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Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. About AbbVie. AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that so... more
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San Diego, CA
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Cedars Sinai
Los Angeles, CA
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