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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Design Researcher in North Carolina is $65,594 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.
However, a Design Researcher's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Design Researcher Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $71,858 | $5,988 | $1,382 | $35 |
| Average | $65,594 | $5,466 | $1,261 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,523 | $4,960 | $1,145 | $29 |
ManTech International - HARMANS, MD
SimVentions, Inc - LA PLATA, MD
SimVentions, Inc - CHAPTICO, MD
SimVentions, Inc - PORT TOBACCO, MD
A Design Researcher'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 Design Researchers. 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 Design Researcher roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Design Researcher positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Design Researcher as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $85,272 | $41.0 | 30% |
| Energy & Utilities | $81,992 | $39.0 | 25% |
| Internet | $78,713 | $38.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $78,713 | $38.0 | 20% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $72,153 | $35.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Design Researcher'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 | $71,858 | $5,988 | $1,382 | $35 |
| Average | $65,594 | $5,466 | $1,261 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,523 | $4,960 | $1,145 | $29 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Design Researcher job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
SimVentions, Inc
DENTSVILLE, MD
SimVentions, Inc | DENTSVILLE, MD
SimVentions, Inc., a technology solutions company serving U.S. Department of Defense and federal customers, is seeking a Design Engineer (Electrical). In t... more
10 Days Ago
SimVentions, Inc
CHARLOTTE HALL, MD
SimVentions, Inc | CHARLOTTE HALL, MD
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SimVentions, Inc
KING GEORGE, VA
SimVentions, Inc | KING GEORGE, VA
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SimVentions, Inc
DAHLGREN, VA
SimVentions, Inc | DAHLGREN, VA
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SimVentions, Inc
COLONIAL BEACH, VA
SimVentions, Inc | COLONIAL BEACH, VA
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SimVentions, Inc
PORT ROYAL, VA
SimVentions, Inc | PORT ROYAL, VA
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