These Are The 10 States With The Highest Research Associate/Postdoctoral Research Fellow Salaries For 2026

Top 10 States for Research Associate/Postdoctoral Research Fellow Salaries in 2026

Salary remains the most critical factor for job seekers across various demographics. A common question is: how much do research associates and postdoctoral research fellows earn in my state?

While individual salaries can vary, reliable data on average salaries for research associates and postdoctoral research fellows are available, broken down by state and seniority level. Although local figures may differ from state averages, these statistics provide a helpful overview of salary expectations.

To gain insights into how salaries fluctuate across the United States, we analyzed the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics regarding average compensation for research associates and postdoctoral research fellows by state.

Additionally, we factored in the cost of living in each state, recognizing that a salary has different purchasing power in varied locations. For instance, your earnings in North Carolina will stretch further than in California.

So, which state boasts the highest salaries for research associates and postdoctoral research fellows after adjusting for the cost of living? The top position is held by Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists.

Here’s a quick look at the top ten states for salaries:

Let’s explore the methodology behind these findings and present a complete ranking of all states.

For further insights into the job landscape, consider these resources:

5 Best Startups to Work For in Little Rock
These Are The 100 Highest Paying Jobs In Arkansas
These Are The 100 Largest Companies In Arkansas

How We Determined Pay by State

As previously mentioned, we analyzed average annual salary data for research associates and postdoctoral research fellows from the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics report, specifically the ‘Occupational Employment Statistics.’

To ensure an equitable comparison across states, we also considered the cost of living in each state.

We created an index by dividing the average wage for a state by its cost of living relative to the national average. For example, if California has a cost of living index of 135.9 and an average pay of $105,310, the adjusted salary would be calculated as follows:

$105,310 * (100 / 135.9) = $77,490

States were then ranked based on this index, with the highest ranking indicating the best average salary for research associates and postdoctoral research fellows.

Here’s a detailed ranking of all states.

Detailed List Of Research Associate/Postdoctoral Research Fellow Salaries By State

Rank	State	Adjusted Salary	Average Wage	Cost Of Living
1	Arkansas	$132,169	$115,120	87.1
2	Delaware	$112,850	$114,430	101.4
3	North Carolina	$106,687	$100,180	93.9
4	New Jersey	$105,512	$128,620	121.9
5	Ohio	$102,718	$96,350	93.8
6	Kansas	$102,424	$92,080	89.9
7	Alabama	$97,763	$89,160	91.2
8	Pennsylvania	$95,936	$97,280	101.4
9	Maine	$94,268	$104,450	110.8
10	Tennessee	$93,154	$83,280	89.4
11	Oklahoma	$90,504	$80,730	89.2
12	Utah	$89,086	$82,850	93.0
13	Arizona	$88,102	$86,340	98.0
14	New Mexico	$87,025	$83,980	96.5
15	Texas	$86,063	$78,060	90.7
16	West Virginia	$86,038	$80,360	93.4
17	Maryland	$85,920	$107,830	125.5
18	Louisiana	$83,702	$79,350	94.8
19	South Carolina	$81,955	$81,300	99.2
20	Washington	$80,560	$84,750	105.2
21	California	$77,490	$105,310	135.9
22	Illinois	$77,420	$73,240	94.6
23	Montana	$77,380	$78,000	100.8
24	Florida	$76,866	$75,560	98.3
25	Colorado	$74,903	$77,750	103.8
26	New Hampshire	$74,589	$87,270	117.0
27	Michigan	$74,089	$65,940	89.0
28	Massachusetts	$70,907	$94,590	133.4
29	New York	$70,832	$92,790	131.0
30	Minnesota	$70,793	$71,360	100.8
31	Iowa	$70,362	$64,030	91.0
32	Wisconsin	$70,175	$67,930	96.8
33	South Dakota	$69,180	$71,740	103.7
34	Georgia	$69,157	$63,210	91.4
35	Idaho	$68,545	$63,130	92.1
36	Oregon	$66,565	$76,950	115.6
37	North Dakota	$66,277	$65,880	99.4
38	Missouri	$66,106	$59,760	90.4
39	Kentucky	$62,928	$56,950	90.5
40	Mississippi	$56,763	$48,760	85.9
41	Nebraska	$56,582	$51,830	91.6
42	Hawaii	$50,708	$85,140	167.9

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Author

Chris Kolmar

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.

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