Research Summary. The Zippia data team has utilized a comprehensive mix of public government and corporate data, along with insights from thousands of job postings, to generate average salary estimates for jobs across the United States. This analysis has pinpointed the highest-paying research assistant roles based on their average annual salaries.
Here’s a summary of our findings for the most lucrative types of research assistants in 2026:
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Research Assistant Professor ranks as the highest-paid type of research assistant, boasting an average salary of $73,455 and an hourly rate of $35.31.
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The second highest-paying role is the Research and Development Assistant, with an average salary of $63,157.
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The overall average salary for research assistants is $42,896 annually, translating to an hourly wage of $20.62.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Deciding on a career path can be challenging, and while salary is a vital consideration, it shouldn’t be your sole focus. Understanding the highest-paid research assistant roles can help you strategically plan your career trajectory.
Below are the top-paying research assistant positions:
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Research Assistant Professor
Average Salary: $73,455
A Research Assistant Professor typically holds a part-time position at universities, focusing on research and extensive studies. They work under the guidance of a professor and perform various support tasks, such as analyzing samples, conducting surveys, performing experiments, maintaining records, and managing communications. They may also teach undergraduate courses and assist in developing curriculum materials.
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Research and Development Assistant
Average Salary: $63,157
A Research and Development Assistant supports the research team by collecting and analyzing data to verify research findings. They conduct interviews, perform statistical analyses, and interpret survey results, ensuring all research progress is documented and communicated to the research supervisor. Excellent communication and organizational skills are essential in this role.
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Assistant Research Scientist
Average Salary: $62,780
An Assistant Research Scientist plays a crucial role in planning and conducting various research projects, also managing lab inventory and equipment.
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Research Associate
Average Salary: $60,166
A Research Associate aids the research team by organizing findings and ensuring data accuracy before presentation. Their responsibilities include data collection, trend analysis, and development of research procedures. Strong time-management skills are critical in meeting deadlines and conducting studies.
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Professional Research Assistant
Average Salary: $58,202
A Professional Research Assistant works alongside primary researchers, assisting with various tasks related to research projects. Responsibilities vary by project and field, and include preparing interview questions and summarizing results. Key skills include communication, critical thinking, and attention to detail.
Below is a comprehensive table of the average pay for various research assistant roles, highlighting the top earners along with a detailed methodology explanation.
Highest-Paying Types of Research Assistants
Methodology
Zippia’s salary estimates are derived from publicly available data from reliable government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Our data science team also augments this information with insights from current job postings and company resources.
After compiling the data, the team calculates a weighted average salary for each job title analyzed. For more details on our salary estimates, please see our detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types of Research Assistant Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid research assistant job?
The highest-paid research assistant job is a research assistant professor. Research Assistant Professors earn an average salary of $73,455, which equates to an hourly wage of $35.31.
Research Assistant Professors typically work part-time at colleges or universities, concentrating on research and extensive studies. They collaborate with a professor and perform various support tasks, including sample analysis, survey completion, and record maintenance. Additionally, they may teach undergraduate courses and support curriculum development.
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What is a good salary for a research assistant?
A good salary for a research assistant is $42,896 or more. This figure represents the average salary for research assistants, so those earning at least this amount are above average in their pay.
However, it’s essential to recognize that salaries can vary significantly based on location, as companies adjust pay scales according to local cost of living. Researching salary averages specific to your area and expertise can provide a clearer picture of your compensation.
For those entering the field, the average starting salary is lower than $42,896, reflecting the variable experience levels among research assistants.
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Do Research Assistant jobs pay well?
Research Assistant jobs tend to pay moderately. While some positions offer higher salaries than others, the average of $42,896 is around the same as the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
Many research assistant roles, especially in specialized fields, have considerable earning potential, with the top 10% earning significantly more.
Be aware that salaries fluctuate based on experience, industry, and location. Conducting thorough research on the current pay scale for research assistants in your area is advisable, and don’t hesitate to negotiate your salary based on this information.
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Where do research assistants get paid the most?
Research Assistants earn the highest salaries in New Jersey. In New Jersey, the average annual salary for research assistants is $58,492, with an hourly wage of $28.12.
Other states with high salaries for research assistants include Massachusetts, Alaska, and Vermont, with average annual salaries of $53,102, $54,653, and $50,955, respectively.
The cities offering the highest salaries for research assistants include:
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New Brunswick, NJ – $58,524
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Boston, MA – $53,085
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San Francisco, CA – $52,332
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
