Do you get paid for being a research assistant?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

Yes, you do get paid for being a research assistant. Most research assistants are paid. However, most research assistants are not permanent positions as they usually last anywhere from a few months to a few years, usually dependent on the length of the research grant.

In some cases, like with undergraduate research assistants, these positions do not pay but may give other compensation such as course or research credit.

The best way as a student to land a paid research position is to gain experience working on research projects, even if they are not paid. Another good idea is to take classes from the professor who oversees the lab.

Finally, take any classes or additional training courses that may help as a research assistant in the field that you are interested in working in.

One reason for this is that the goal of a research assistant position is to get a taste for research to help you decide whether or not you wish to pursue an academic career (e.g., apply to a Ph.D. program).

Therefore, many research assistant positions are more about gaining experience working in a research lab versus earning money. As a result, most universities that offer paid research positions tend to pay lower (average mean salary of $43,000 a year or around $21 an hour;

With that said, more and more companies are seeking out full-time research assistants, especially for clinical-focused research companies. These positions typically require specialized skills such as analyzing DNA or tissue samples -- the average salary is $56,000 a year or $27 an hour.