As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Research Associate I - Academic in the United States is $57,810. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $51,220 to $66,390, with most professionals earning between $45,220 and $74,202.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $66,390 | $5,533 | $1,277 | $32 |
| Average | $57,810 | $4,818 | $1,112 | $28 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,220 | $4,268 | $985 | $25 |
An entry-level Research Associate I - Academic with less than 1 year of experience earns about $57,318. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $57,810. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $59,347. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $60,371, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $60,627.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Research Associate I - Academic | $57,318 |
| Intermediate Level Research Associate I - Academic | $57,810 |
| Senior Level Research Associate I - Academic | $59,347 |
| Specialist Level Research Associate I - Academic | $60,371 |
| Expert Level Research Associate I - Academic | $60,627 |
| Entry Level | 1% |
| Mid Level | 0% |
| Senior Level | 3% |
| Top Level | 4% |
| Experienced | 5% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Research Associate I - Academic compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $52,789 in 2023 to approximately $52,194 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Research Associate I - Academic salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Research Associate I - Academic information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Research Associate I - Academic job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Research Associate I - Academic and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $57,810 | 68.5% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $4,422 | 5.2% | ||
| 401K/403B | $2,428 | 2.9% | ||
| Disability | $1,156 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 9.9% | ||
| Pension | $3,122 | 3.7% | ||
| Time Off | $7,115 | 8.4% | ||
| Total Compensation | $84,406 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.3% |
| High School | 0.9% |
| Associates | 0.7% |
| Bachelors | 41.3% |
| Masters | 37.5% |
| Doctorate | 19.4% |
What Am I Worth?
Academic research salaries can vary significantly. For a Research Associate in academia, the salary ranges from a minimum of $56,070 to a mid-point of $62,300, with a maximum of $75,750. While some positions may offer higher pay, these figures reflect typical earnings in the field.
Research Associates in academia earn varying salaries based on experience and location. The minimum salary is approximately $56,070, with a mid-range salary of about $62,300, and a maximum salary reaching around $75,750. While compensation can vary, these figures indicate a competitive salary for this role.
A research associate is a valuable position, contributing significantly to organizational decision-making and product management. With a salary range from $56,070 to $75,750, including a mid-salary of $62,300, it offers competitive compensation. Understanding this role can help you determine if it aligns with your career aspirations.
Research Associate positions in academia typically offer salaries ranging from $56,070 to $75,750, with a median salary of $62,300. While this is competitive, other high-paying research roles include statisticians earning around $87,935, and biomedical engineers making approximately $93,143 annually.
A research associate typically requires a Master's or PhD, as these roles demand expert knowledge in a specific field. Postgraduate qualifications enhance research skills and expertise. The salary for a research associate ranges from $56,070 to $75,750, with a median salary of $62,300, reflecting the advanced qualifications and responsibilities involved.
High Paying Research Jobs include Research Director with salaries ranging from $135,500 to $229,000, Research Scientist earning between $107,500 and $173,000, and Animal Scientist at $173,000. For a Research Associate in academia, the salary ranges from $56,070 to $75,750, with a mid-salary of $62,300, reflecting the diverse opportunities in the field.
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.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
