Looking at the question in a much broader perspective, it is essential to understand that an individual’s research assistant salary status greatly depends on his educational qualifications. As a rule, the higher a person’s qualification level, the more money he or she can earn. For example, according to statistics, research assistants with an undergraduate degree earn up to $30,000 per year. However, those who have graduate degrees can acquire more than twice as much — up to $62,000 per year.
Introduction
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $61,000 | $5,083 | $29 |
| 75th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
| Average | $41,424 | $3,452 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
AVERAGE RESEARCH ASSISTANT SALARY BY STATE
The darker areas on the map show where research assistants earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.
- State View
- County View
Entry-Level Salary
$28,000
Gender Pay Gap
Women earn $97¢ for every $1 earned by men
Racial Pay Gap
White Research Assistants earn 97¢ for every $1 earned by Asian Research Assistants
Research Assistant Average Salary By State
| State | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | Job Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $31,318 | $15.06 | 148 |
| Alaska | $39,960 | $19.21 | 93 |
| Arizona | $35,002 | $16.83 | 479 |
| Arkansas | $37,527 | $18.04 | 120 |
| California | $49,630 | $23.86 | 4,248 |
| Colorado | $35,870 | $17.25 | 708 |
| Connecticut | $47,122 | $22.65 | 299 |
| Delaware | $45,766 | $22.00 | 106 |
| District of Columbia | $49,827 | $23.96 | 243 |
| Florida | $39,858 | $19.16 | 1,286 |
| Georgia | $42,405 | $20.39 | 723 |
| Hawaii | $40,711 | $19.57 | 66 |
| Idaho | $40,542 | $19.49 | 117 |
| Illinois | $49,730 | $23.91 | 1,123 |
| Indiana | $37,982 | $18.26 | 482 |
| Iowa | $32,719 | $15.73 | 247 |
| Kansas | $32,431 | $15.59 | 190 |
| Kentucky | $39,783 | $19.13 | 195 |
| Louisiana | $40,890 | $19.66 | 165 |
| Maine | $36,008 | $17.31 | 113 |
| Maryland | $39,280 | $18.88 | 644 |
| Massachusetts | $49,125 | $23.62 | 2,486 |
| Michigan | $39,653 | $19.06 | 747 |
| Minnesota | $37,241 | $17.90 | 708 |
| Mississippi | $37,758 | $18.15 | 116 |
| Missouri | $37,399 | $17.98 | 534 |
| Montana | $29,200 | $14.04 | 93 |
| Nebraska | $33,831 | $16.26 | 224 |
| Nevada | $41,780 | $20.09 | 109 |
| New Hampshire | $38,610 | $18.56 | 176 |
| New Jersey | $55,605 | $26.73 | 994 |
| New Mexico | $34,990 | $16.82 | 203 |
| New York | $44,186 | $21.24 | 1,365 |
| North Carolina | $41,787 | $20.09 | 808 |
| North Dakota | $38,148 | $18.34 | 60 |
| Ohio | $37,762 | $18.15 | 775 |
| Oklahoma | $30,975 | $14.89 | 196 |
| Oregon | $41,287 | $19.85 | 587 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,698 | $20.05 | 1,263 |
| Rhode Island | $41,119 | $19.77 | 136 |
| South Carolina | $36,065 | $17.34 | 160 |
| South Dakota | $31,572 | $15.18 | 82 |
| Tennessee | $31,898 | $15.34 | 482 |
| Texas | $29,925 | $14.39 | 1,563 |
| Utah | $30,841 | $14.83 | 272 |
| Vermont | $47,206 | $22.70 | 93 |
| Virginia | $43,490 | $20.91 | 802 |
| Washington | $37,279 | $17.92 | 931 |
| West Virginia | $43,370 | $20.85 | 114 |
| Wisconsin | $40,740 | $19.59 | 407 |
| Wyoming | $24,743 | $11.90 | 54 |
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Highest Paying Cities For Research Assistant
0 selections
| City | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Piscataway, NJ | $55,662 | $26.76 |
| San Francisco, CA | $51,846 | $24.93 |
| Chicago, IL | $50,057 | $24.07 |
| Washington, DC | $49,866 | $23.97 |
| Boston, MA | $48,978 | $23.55 |
| Newark, DE | $45,752 | $22.00 |
HOW MUCH DOES A RESEARCH ASSISTANT MAKE?
- The average Research Assistant makes $41,424 in the United States.
- The average hourly pay for a Research Assistant is $19.92.
- The average entry-level Research Assistant salary is $28,000.
- Highest paying states for Research Assistant are New Jersey ($55,605), Illinois ($49,730), California ($55,605) and Massachusetts ($55,605).
- Highest paying cities for Research Assistant are New Brunswick, NJ ($55,662), San Francisco, CA, Chicago, IL, Washington, DC and Boston, MA.
- Research Assistants on the lower end of that spectrum, the bottom 10% to be exact, make roughly $28,000 a year, while the top 10% makes $61,000.
- The best-paid 25% made $50,000 that year, while the lowest-paid 25$ made $33,000
- Industries with the highest Research Assistant salaries are Health Care, Education and Government.
Capital Group
Remote or Los Angeles, CA
Fixed Income Fundamental Research Group Associate
**As one of our FRG Associates, you will work closely and collaborate with Fixed Income Investment Professionals and peers to deliver valuable insights, research data, and analysis that will be used to help inform investment decisions.
$31k-45k yearly est.
EASY APPLY
Child Trends
Remote or Chapel Hill, NC
Research Assistant, Early Childhood
Child Trends is seeking a Research Assistant in its Early Childhood research area. Under the supervision of Early Childhood staff, the Research Assistant supports social science research projects by helping to gather data and other information from study participants and stakeholders; helping to develop project materials and data collection tools; administering surveys and questionnaires, conducting interviews, and compiling results; helping organize meetings; note taking; and performing other duties as necessary.
$37k-56k yearly est.
Jerry
Remote or Portland, OR
Research Assistant (Mandarin / English)
We are looking for a highly diligent and ambitious Research Assistant to join our team and work alongside our co-founder and Head of Legal.
2d agoNEW
$33k-48k yearly est.
EASY APPLY
B
Broadbean
Remote or Iowa City, IA
Protocol Management Research Assistant – Remote – Cancer Center
Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center is seeking a Protocol Management Research Assistant to assist in the coordination of data management and reporting activities for the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center’s (HCCC) Clinical Trials Management System (OnCore), related systems, and databases to support HCCC clinical trial operations.
7d agoNEW
$27k-39k yearly est.
L
Legal Placements, Inc.
Remote or Washington, DC
Conflicts Research Assistant – (Entry-Level) – REMOTE
One of the world s leading law firms is seeking a Conflicts Research Assistant to provide support to their busy New Business and/or New Hire Conflicts team.
2d agoNEW
$40k-61k yearly est.
Human Services Research Institute
Remote or Tualatin, OR
Research Assistant I (remote)
Human Services Research Institute (HSRI), a mission-driven health research organization, is seeking a Research Assistant to support our Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Team. The Research Assistant I position is an essential part of our work to improve disability services and supports.
27d ago
$34k-49k yearly est.
C
Capitol Recruiters Inc.
Remote or Washington, DC
Conflicts Research Assistant – remote
Conflicts Research Assistant – for prominent global law firm.
4d agoNEW
$40k-61k yearly est.
Boston Medical Center
Remote or Lynn, MA
Research Assistant – Bilingual, Remote, Per-Diem
Under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and Project Coordinator for assigned research studies, the Research Assistant will perform research activities using approved techniques Conducts patient recruitment, administers questionnaires, gathers case samples/abstracts medical records, maintains patient databases, performs administrative tasks, assists in grant preparation, performs literature searches and participates with the research team in preparation of data and other reports.
6d agoNEW
$48k-62k yearly est.
EASY APPLY
Adl
Remote
Research Assistant
POSITION TITLE: Research Assistant, Center on ExtremismREPORTS TO: Senior Associate Director, Center on ExtremismSUPERVISION EXERCISED: NoneLOCATION: East Coast preferred Grade/Class: Grade C, Non-Exempt, Non-Union ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. PRIMARY FUNCTION:The Center on Extremism (COE) Research Assistant will conduct basic research into antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and hate, to populate COE databases and share with other COE staff. The Research Assistant will support the work of COE Analyst(s) who study antisemitism and anti-Zionism.
5d agoNEW
$37k-55k yearly
Dartmouth College
Remote or Hanover, NH
Research Assistant I
Yes Position Purpose Serve as research assistant and an integral member of the laboratory team by overseeing maintenance, ordering supplies, instructing others in methods, conducting experiments, and communicating results.
4d agoNEW
$19-22.4 hourly
EASY APPLY
Child Trends
Remote or Chapel Hill, NC
Research Assistant, Early Childhood
Child Trends is seeking a Research Assistant in its Early Childhood research area. Under the supervision of Early Childhood staff, the Research Assistant supports social science research projects by helping to gather data and other information from study participants and stakeholders; helping to develop project materials and data collection tools; administering surveys and questionnaires, conducting interviews, and compiling results; helping organize meetings; note taking; and performing other duties as necessary.
Sponsored
$37k-56k yearly est.
Human Services Research Institute
Remote or Tualatin, OR
Research Assistant I (remote)
Human Services Research Institute (HSRI), a mission-driven health research organization, is seeking a Research Assistant to support our Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Team. The Research Assistant I position is an essential part of our work to improve disability services and supports.
Sponsored
$34k-49k yearly est.
AVERAGE RESEARCH ASSISTANT SALARY OVER TIME
Compare salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Location
- National Average
- Louisiana
Research Assistant Salary By Year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $41,400 | $19.92 | +3.5% |
| 2021 | $40,000 | $19.23 | +1.8% |
| 2020 | $39,300 | $18.88 | +1.4% |
| 2019 | $38,700 | $18.62 | +6.1% |
| 2018 | $36,400 | $17.48 | +1.6% |
AVERAGE JOB SALARY BY FIELD
A research technician is responsible for assisting in research studies and laboratory experiments. Research technicians operate laboratory tools and equipment, process data for experiments, collect samples for study, analyze existing research materials, analyze experiment results, manage inventories and stock supplies, record observations, and create reports for further examination. A research technician must have strong analytical and scientific knowledge, as well as a passion for research writing and investigations crucial for this kind of industry.
58,136 Research Assistant Jobs
Avg. salary: $35,440
A graduate researcher is responsible for supporting an educational institution’s academic research processes. Graduate researchers assist in data gathering and performing in-depth analysis using research methodologies under the supervision of a research professor. In some cases, graduate researchers also conduct field investigations and analyze other research publications to verify data accuracy. They prepare reports, share recommendations, and keep an organized database for research records. A graduate researcher must have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, as this task requires interaction with the researchers and writing duties.
19,699 Graduate Researcher Jobs
Research Laboratory Technician
Avg. salary: $37,219
Research laboratory technicians play a vital role in scientific laboratories. They perform varied duties and responsibilities, which include setting up, operating, and maintaining the laboratory equipment, assisting in laboratory-based research activities such as sampling, testing, and analyzing results, and providing technical support to the laboratory team members. In addition, they are expected to support the development and advancement of science and modern medicine. Other typical duties of research laboratory technicians include preparing samples and specimens, keeping abreast with current technical developments, and ensuring strict compliance with safety procedures.
98,732 Research Laboratory Technician Jobs
Avg. salary: $52,724
A research fellow is an academic researcher who conducts research and analysis of comprehensive literature, data, and results and provides literature reviews. He/She supervises research assistants and recruits study participants to interview them for a particular study. To become a research fellow, a candidate should have a doctorate in a relevant discipline and publish peer-reviewed papers. Also, a research fellow can be an independent investigator or be supervised by a principal investigator.
Avg. salary: $36,585
Graduate research students are learners who conduct degree program-related research in a research unit or an academic department. These students manage themselves independently as well as their work. They make certain that they have familiarized the requirements of the university. Educators and other scholars expect them to develop enough research and skills. Their responsibilities include academic honesty, participation in supervisory meetings, and maintenance of effective supervisor communication. In terms of their research, they should have a research plan ahead.
60,764 Graduate Research Student Jobs
Avg. salary: $34,444
A research intern is responsible for assisting the research team with conducting an investigation, compiling information, and analyzing results for an organized research study. Research interns’ duties also include understanding the work processes and operation procedures, sharing strategies and recommendations on research methods, reaching out to appropriate research correspondents, managing clients’ inquiries and concerns, keeping important client records for reference, studying current market trends, and maintaining the eagerness to learn. A research intern must have strong attention to detail and excellent communication skills to perform on daily research tasks.
130,130 Research Internship Jobs
Avg. salary: $41,218
A research technician is responsible for assisting in research studies and laboratory experiments. Research technicians operate laboratory tools and equipment, process data for experiments, collect samples for study, analyze existing research materials, analyze experiment results, manage inventories and stock supplies, record observations, and create reports for further examination. A research technician must have strong analytical and scientific knowledge, as well as a passion for research writing and investigations crucial for this kind of industry.
Conclusion
We hope that this article was helpful for clarifying the different roles of a research assistant and their possible salary. Research assistant jobs are great for those who are new to the workforce, trying to get further education on their way to a degree, or seeking research experience to add to a resumé. We hope you found our little project informative and that it will help you decide whether a research assistant job is right for you. If you are interesting in becoming a research assistant, we wish you the best of luck!
