Best cities for a doctoral research assistant
The best cities for doctoral research assistants are Albuquerque, NM, Portland, OR, and Phoenix, AZ, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for doctoral research assistants vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for doctoral research assistants in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a doctoral research assistant or considering a move, this list of the best cities for doctoral research assistants to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for doctoral research assistants. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a doctoral research assistant. While the absolute best city for doctoral research assistants is Albuquerque, NM, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for doctoral research assistants in 2024.
If you're looking for a doctoral research assistant job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for doctoral research assistants in 2025
1. Albuquerque, NM
Total doctoral research assistant jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $69,718 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Location quotient: 11.16 2. Portland, OR
Total doctoral research assistant jobs: 23 Average annual salary: $66,510 Lowest 10 percent warn: $49,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $88,000 Location quotient: 33.53 3. Phoenix, AZ
Total doctoral research assistant jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $68,252 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 1.59 4. Chicago, IL
Total doctoral research assistant jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $68,801 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $94,000 Location quotient: 2.51 5. Newark, NJ
Total doctoral research assistant jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $65,341 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $93,000 Location quotient: 29.86 6. Boston, MA
Total doctoral research assistant jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $79,142 Lowest 10 percent warn: $55,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $112,000 Location quotient: 1.39 7. Glendale, AZ
Total doctoral research assistant jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $68,302 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Toledo, OH
Total doctoral research assistant jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $51,660 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $71,000 Location quotient: 78.10 9. Scottsdale, AZ
Total doctoral research assistant jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $68,131 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Las Vegas, NV
Total doctoral research assistant jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $56,594 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $77,000 Location quotient: 4.22
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Best cities for doctoral research assistants
- Albuquerque, NM
- Portland, OR
- Phoenix, AZ
- Chicago, IL
- Newark, NJ
- Boston, MA
- Glendale, AZ
- Toledo, OH
- Scottsdale, AZ
- Las Vegas, NV
- (3 doctoral research assistant jobs)
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Detailed list of the best cities for a doctoral research assistant
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albuquerque, NM | $69,718 | $50,000 | 559,277 | 3 |
| 2 | Portland, OR | $66,510 | $49,000 | 639,863 | 23 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $68,252 | $50,000 | 1,615,017 | 2 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $68,801 | $50,000 | 2,704,958 | 5 |
| 5 | Newark, NJ | $65,341 | $45,000 | 281,764 | 7 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $79,142 | $55,000 | 673,184 | 2 |
| 7 | Glendale, AZ | $68,302 | $50,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 8 | Toledo, OH | $51,660 | $37,000 | 278,508 | 7 |
| 9 | Scottsdale, AZ | $68,131 | $50,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 10 | Las Vegas, NV | $56,594 | $41,000 | 632,912 | 2 |
| 11 | Chandler, AZ | $68,126 | $50,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 12 | Lincoln, NE | $54,173 | $39,000 | 280,364 | 10 |
| 13 | Gilbert, AZ | $68,077 | $50,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 14 | Mesa, AZ | $68,062 | $50,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 15 | Philadelphia, PA | $54,173 | $37,000 | 1,567,872 | 5 |
| 16 | Lexington, KY | $53,946 | $38,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 17 | Louisville, KY | $53,812 | $38,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 18 | Tucson, AZ | $67,640 | $49,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 19 | Atlanta, GA | $60,969 | $43,000 | 472,522 | - |
| 20 | Raleigh, NC | $54,753 | $38,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 21 | Reno, NV | $57,632 | $42,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 22 | Henderson, NV | $56,573 | $41,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 23 | Durham, NC | $54,732 | $38,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 24 | North Las Vegas, NV | $56,493 | $41,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 25 | Jersey City, NJ | $65,398 | $45,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 26 | Greensboro, NC | $54,445 | $38,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 27 | Winston-Salem, NC | $54,298 | $38,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 28 | Cleveland, OH | $52,194 | $37,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 29 | Anchorage, AK | $60,972 | $51,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 30 | Omaha, NE | $54,083 | $39,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 31 | Fremont, CA | $67,483 | $48,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 32 | Charlotte, NC | $53,825 | $38,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 33 | Columbus, OH | $51,595 | $36,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 34 | Wichita, KS | $52,841 | $38,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 35 | Fort Wayne, IN | $52,201 | $37,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 36 | Los Angeles, CA | $66,172 | $48,000 | 3,976,322 | 7 |
| 37 | San Francisco, CA | $67,648 | $49,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 38 | New Orleans, LA | $54,156 | $38,000 | 391,495 | - |
| 39 | Oakland, CA | $67,541 | $49,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 40 | San Jose, CA | $67,502 | $49,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 41 | Cincinnati, OH | $50,990 | $36,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 42 | Stockton, CA | $66,944 | $48,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 43 | Orlando, FL | $56,459 | $39,000 | 277,173 | 1 |
| 44 | Pittsburgh, PA | $51,599 | $36,000 | 303,625 | 5 |
| 45 | Sacramento, CA | $66,755 | $48,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 46 | Miami, FL | $57,259 | $40,000 | 453,579 | - |
| 47 | Fresno, CA | $66,446 | $48,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 48 | Bakersfield, CA | $66,351 | $48,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 49 | Hialeah, FL | $57,237 | $40,000 | 236,387 | - |
| 50 | Indianapolis, IN | $51,771 | $37,000 | 855,164 | - |
Highest paying cities for doctoral research assistants
| Rank | City | Avg. doctoral research assistant salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $79,142 |
| 2 | Albuquerque, NM | $69,718 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $68,801 |
| 4 | Tempe, AZ | $68,172 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $66,510 |
| 6 | Newark, NJ | $65,341 |
| 7 | Provo, UT | $61,773 |
| 8 | Newark, DE | $60,688 |
| 9 | Baltimore, MD | $60,639 |
| 10 | Miami, FL | $57,259 |
| 11 | Boulder, CO | $55,972 |
| 12 | Durham, NC | $54,732 |
| 13 | New York, NY | $54,620 |
| 14 | Lincoln, NE | $54,173 |
| 15 | Philadelphia, PA | $54,173 |
| 16 | Hattiesburg, MS | $53,768 |
| 17 | Akron, OH | $52,203 |
| 18 | Lafayette, IN | $51,719 |
| 19 | Kansas City, MO | $48,913 |
| 20 | Johnson City, TN | $47,010 |
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Updated January 8, 2025