Postdoctoral Research Associate Salary in the United States

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

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the United States is $63,062 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $81,356
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $54,351 to $72,638
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $46,419
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View as table View as graph 25% $54,351 10% $46,419 90% $81,356 75% $72,638 $63,062 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Postdoctoral Research Associate Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $72,638 $6,053 $1,397 $35
Average $63,062 $5,255 $1,213 $30
25th Percentile $54,351 $4,529 $1,045 $26
Check out Postdoctoral Research Associate Job Openings in the United States
Postdoctoral Associate

Wright State University - Dayton, OH

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Cincinnati Children's - Cincinnati, OH

Cancer Research Postdoctoral Scholar

Inside Higher Ed - Columbus, OH

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

CINCINNATI CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER - Cincinnati, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Postdoctoral Research Associate Salaries

A Postdoctoral Research Associate'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 Associate Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Postdoctoral Research Associate'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): $96,399
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $62,358
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $72,176
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $102,458
  • Expert (over 8 years): $110,728
Levels Salary
Staff Nur... Level Postdoctoral Research Associate$96,399
Postdocto... Level Postdoctoral Research Associate$62,358
Clinical ... Level Postdoctoral Research Associate$72,176
Scientist... Level Postdoctoral Research Associate$102,458
Clinical ... Level Postdoctoral Research Associate$110,728
$96,399 0 yr
$62,358 < 2 yrs
$72,176 2-4 yrs
$102,458 5-8 yrs
$110,728 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Postdoctoral Research Associates

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: $79,541
  • San Francisco: $78,759
  • Oakland: $77,012

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Integrity (Mentioned in 5.09% Job Postings): Is about having strong principles and values, which you demonstrate through your conduct in the work environment. A common integrity definition states that people with integrity do the right thing even when nobody is watching.
  • Oncology (Mentioned in 2.46% Job Postings): Designing, constructing, and repairing dental prosthetics and restorative and orthodontic devices to help patients correct dental conditions.
  • Data Collection (Mentioned in 1.46% Job Postings): Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on targeted variables in an established system, which then enables one to answer relevant questions and evaluate outcomes. Data collection is a component of research in all fields of study including physical and social sciences, humanities, and business. While methods vary by discipline, the emphasis on ensuring accurate and honest collection remains the same. The goal for all data collection is to capture quality evidence that allows analysis to lead to the formulation of convincing and credible answers to the questions that have been posed.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Integrity 5.09%
Oncology 2.46%
Data Collection 1.46%
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 Associate's salary.
  • Line Management: Can increase your salary by up to 33%.
  • Dedication: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Patient Safety: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Line Management
$83,873
33%
Dedication
$68,738
9%
Patient Safety
$67,477
7%
Accountability
$66,846
6%
Communicates Effectively
$66,846
6%
Communication Skills
$66,216
5%
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How Education impacts a Postdoctoral Research Associate's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Postdoctoral Research Associates enter the field with a Bachelor'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 Associate with a Bachelor's Degree is between $64,284 and $68,801).

Postdoctoral Research Associate Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Postdoctoral Research Associate
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 2.7%
Associates 1.9%
Bachelors 61.9%
Masters 26.5%
Doctorate 6.6%
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Postdoctoral Research Associate Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Postdoctoral Research Associate'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 April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Postdoctoral Research Associate

Salaries for a Postdoctoral Research Associate can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $57,660 in 2023 to around $57,671 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Postdoctoral Research Associate salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Postdoctoral Research Associate Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$57,660
2024
$57,773
2025
$57,671
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $57,660
2024 $57,773
2025 $57,671
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Postdoctoral Research Associate

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

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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.)

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