Research Summary. Extensive research conducted by the Zippia data science team has revealed essential insights into research assistant salaries across the United States as of 2026:
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New Jersey boasts the highest average research assistant salary at $58,492.
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Wyoming reports the lowest average research assistant salary at $26,498.
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The national average salary for research assistants stands at $42,896.
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The average hourly wage for research assistants is $20.62.
For further details, check out our specific methodology.
Background
In surveys across various demographics, salary consistently ranks as the most critical factor influencing job satisfaction. Job seekers often ask, “How much do research assistants earn in my area?”
While individual salaries can vary depending on experience, location, and sector, comprehensive data on average research assistant salaries by state is available, segmented by seniority levels. Therefore, while your specific city might differ from state averages, these figures provide a reliable estimate of potential earnings.
As of 2026, New Jersey remains the top-paying state for research assistants.
Here’s an overview of the top ten states for research assistant salaries:
Let’s dive into the data and explore the complete rankings of all states.
Highest-Paid Research Assistants By State
| Rank | State | Average Research Assistant Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $58,492 | $37,000 | $90,000 |
| 2 | Alaska | $54,653 | $38,000 | $77,000 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $53,102 | $35,000 | $80,000 |
| 4 | Vermont | $50,955 | $34,000 | $76,000 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $50,484 | $32,000 | $77,000 |
| 6 | California | $50,227 | $32,000 | $78,000 |
| 7 | Illinois | $49,989 | $32,000 | $76,000 |
| 8 | Delaware | $47,925 | $30,000 | $74,000 |
| 9 | New York | $45,645 | $29,000 | $70,000 |
| 10 | Virginia | $45,277 | $28,000 | $71,000 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $44,240 | $29,000 | $67,000 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $43,364 | $27,000 | $67,000 |
| 13 | Idaho | $42,781 | $28,000 | $64,000 |
| 14 | New Hampshire | $42,775 | $28,000 | $64,000 |
| 15 | Georgia | $42,700 | $28,000 | $63,000 |
| 16 | Oregon | $42,603 | $27,000 | $65,000 |
| 17 | North Carolina | $42,580 | $27,000 | $65,000 |
| 18 | Louisiana | $41,838 | $28,000 | $62,000 |
| 19 | Michigan | $41,084 | $26,000 | $63,000 |
| 20 | Nevada | $41,054 | $26,000 | $63,000 |
| 21 | Maryland | $40,887 | $26,000 | $64,000 |
| 22 | Florida | $40,693 | $27,000 | $60,000 |
| 23 | West Virginia | $40,229 | $25,000 | $62,000 |
| 24 | North Dakota | $39,842 | $26,000 | $59,000 |
| 25 | Minnesota | $39,190 | $26,000 | $58,000 |
| 26 | Mississippi | $38,986 | $26,000 | $58,000 |
| 27 | Ohio | $38,763 | $25,000 | $59,000 |
| 28 | Maine | $38,630 | $26,000 | $57,000 |
| 29 | Arkansas | $38,441 | $25,000 | $57,000 |
| 30 | Wisconsin | $38,382 | $25,000 | $58,000 |
| 31 | Missouri | $38,237 | $25,000 | $57,000 |
| 32 | Washington | $38,201 | $25,000 | $58,000 |
| 33 | Kentucky | $37,988 | $24,000 | $57,000 |
| 34 | Colorado | $37,821 | $25,000 | $55,000 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $37,322 | $24,000 | $56,000 |
| 36 | Indiana | $36,880 | $24,000 | $56,000 |
| 37 | Arizona | $36,746 | $23,000 | $56,000 |
| 38 | New Mexico | $36,551 | $24,000 | $54,000 |
| 39 | Hawaii | $35,556 | $25,000 | $49,000 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $35,166 | $23,000 | $52,000 |
| 41 | Iowa | $33,835 | $22,000 | $50,000 |
| 42 | Kansas | $33,633 | $22,000 | $49,000 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $32,610 | $21,000 | $48,000 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $32,453 | $21,000 | $48,000 |
| 45 | Utah | $32,414 | $21,000 | $48,000 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $32,201 | $21,000 | $47,000 |
| 47 | Texas | $31,634 | $20,000 | $47,000 |
| 48 | Alabama | $30,884 | $20,000 | $46,000 |
| 49 | Montana | $30,209 | $20,000 | $44,000 |
| 50 | Wyoming | $26,498 | $18,000 | $38,000 |
Methodology: Research Assistant Salary By State
To accurately assess research assistant salaries by state, Zippia has compiled data from various reputable sources, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM, and supplemented it with salary data from job postings. The team then calculates a weighted average to arrive at the average pay for research assistants in each state.
Using this annual salary data, we ranked all states based on their average salaries, identifying the state with the highest average salary for research assistants.
Research Assistant Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for research assistants?
The highest-paid state for research assistants is New Jersey, with an average annual salary of $58,492.
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What city pays research assistants the most?
New Brunswick, NJ offers the highest average salary for research assistants at $58,524 per year.
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What is the lowest-paying state for research assistants?
The lowest-paying state for research assistants is Wyoming, with an average annual salary of $26,498.
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.
