As of August 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Research Specialist in Virginia is $99,562, equivalent to $48 per hour, $1,915 weekly, or $8,297 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Research Specialist in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.
Annually Salaries for Research Specialist in Virginia vary widely, spanning from $86,512 to $115,959. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($92,731) and 75th percentile ($108,145), while top earners (90th percentile) make $115,959 per year. This $15,414 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or Data Analysis, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Virginia Research Specialist often earn 0.7% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 33 companies. However, Virginia currently ranks 18 nationwide for Research Specialist job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
