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The average salary of a field researcher in the U.S. is approximately $25,347 annually or $12.19 per hour. This figure varies based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the sector of employment. For instance, field researchers working in urban areas or specialized sectors may earn significantly more than those in rural settings or general research roles.
Field researchers can expect higher salaries in states like California, New York, and Texas. Each of these states offers a diverse range of opportunities in research, from environmental studies to social science projects. Moreover, experience plays a crucial role in salary increments, with seasoned professionals earning more than their entry-level counterparts.
As the demand for data-driven insights grows, the need for skilled field researchers continues to expand. Opportunities are available in various sectors, including healthcare, environmental science, and market research. By understanding the salary trends and job opportunities, aspiring field researchers can strategically navigate their career paths.
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The average field researcher salary in Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Maine are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average field researcher salary states are Oregon, Illinois, and Minnesota.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $39,538 | $19.01 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $41,046 | $19.73 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $41,313 | $19.86 |
| 4 | Colorado | $32,497 | $15.62 |
| 5 | Idaho | $32,901 | $15.82 |
| 6 | Wisconsin | $34,051 | $16.37 |
| 7 | New York | $33,093 | $15.91 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $28,443 | $13.67 |
| 9 | Ohio | $33,642 | $16.17 |
| 10 | West Virginia | $33,058 | $15.89 |
| 11 | Indiana | $32,717 | $15.73 |
| 12 | Arizona | $29,185 | $14.03 |
| 13 | South Carolina | $32,235 | $15.50 |
| 14 | Washington | $29,115 | $14.00 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $26,450 | $12.72 |
| 16 | Vermont | $26,265 | $12.63 |
| 17 | California | $28,434 | $13.67 |
| 18 | Utah | $26,070 | $12.53 |
| 19 | Kentucky | $32,489 | $15.62 |
| 20 | Mississippi | $25,636 | $12.32 |
| 21 | Montana | $24,454 | $11.76 |
| 22 | Virginia | $26,407 | $12.70 |
| 23 | Missouri | $25,752 | $12.38 |
| 24 | Alaska | $29,228 | $14.05 |
| 25 | New Jersey | $26,728 | $12.85 |
| 26 | Connecticut | $25,095 | $12.06 |
| 27 | Louisiana | $23,725 | $11.41 |
| 28 | Rhode Island | $25,893 | $12.45 |
| 29 | Nebraska | $25,795 | $12.40 |
| 30 | Oklahoma | $22,587 | $10.86 |
| 31 | Texas | $23,204 | $11.16 |
| 32 | Nevada | $22,536 | $10.83 |
| 33 | Iowa | $23,983 | $11.53 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $22,139 | $10.64 |
| 35 | Oregon | $21,050 | $10.12 |
| 36 | Maryland | $24,943 | $11.99 |
| 37 | Pennsylvania | $22,779 | $10.95 |
| 38 | South Dakota | $24,192 | $11.63 |
| 39 | District of Columbia | $22,412 | $10.78 |
| 40 | Florida | $23,482 | $11.29 |
| 41 | Delaware | $23,085 | $11.10 |
| 42 | Kansas | $23,706 | $11.40 |
| 43 | Michigan | $23,426 | $11.26 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $21,608 | $10.39 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $21,615 | $10.39 |
| 46 | Wyoming | $17,603 | $8.46 |
| 47 | Minnesota | $18,617 | $8.95 |
| 48 | Georgia | $21,536 | $10.35 |
| 49 | Illinois | $20,531 | $9.87 |
| 50 | North Carolina | $17,405 | $8.37 |
| 51 | Alabama | $17,297 | $8.32 |
The highest-paying cities for field researchers are New York, NY, Boulder, CO, and Mesa, AZ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $32,673 | $15.71 |
| 2 | Boulder, CO | $32,475 | $15.61 |
| 3 | Mesa, AZ | $28,877 | $13.88 |
| 4 | Davis, CA | $28,349 | $13.63 |
| 5 | New Brunswick, NJ | $26,421 | $12.70 |
| 6 | West Jordan, UT | $25,972 | $12.49 |
| 7 | Bridgeport, CT | $24,761 | $11.90 |
| 8 | Fort Myers, FL | $23,192 | $11.15 |
| 9 | San Antonio, TX | $23,056 | $11.08 |
| 10 | Reno, NV | $22,804 | $10.96 |
| 11 | Philadelphia, PA | $22,662 | $10.90 |
| 12 | Elgin, IL | $20,532 | $9.87 |
| 13 | Raleigh, NC | $17,346 | $8.34 |
A field researcher's salary ranges from $9,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $65,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $65,000 | $5,417 | $31 |
| 75th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| Average | $25,347 | $2,112 | $12 |
| 25th Percentile | $15,000 | $1,250 | $7 |
| 10th Percentile | $9,000 | $750 | $4 |
The highest paying types of field researchers are survey operations director, junior research associate, and research archaeologist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Researcher | $32,346 | $2,696 | $15.55 | 17,313 |
| Market Researcher | $52,309 | $4,359 | $25.15 | 23,734 |
| Researcher | $67,145 | $5,595 | $32.28 | 30,498 |
Top companies hiring field researchers now:
Field researcher salaries at New York University and University of California, Berkeley are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average field researcher salary at companies like Rutgers University and National Renewable Energy Laboratory are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York University | $72,587 | $34.90 |
| 2 | University of California-Berkeley | $54,454 | $26.18 |
| 3 | Rutgers University | $53,703 | $25.82 |
| 4 | National Renewable Energy Laboratory | $43,380 | $20.86 |
| 5 | University of Georgia Small Business Development Center | $42,128 | $20.25 |
| 6 | Service Employees International Union Local 205 | $41,575 | $19.99 |
| 7 | University of Colorado Boulder | $35,473 | $17.05 |
| 8 | Randstad North America, Inc. | $27,042 | $13.00 |
| 9 | Rio Tinto | $25,811 | $12.41 |
| 10 | Hanley | $25,641 | $12.33 |
The average field researcher salary has risen by $8,349 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average field researcher earned $16,998 annually, but today, they earn $25,347 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for field researchers over the last decade.
Compare field researcher salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare field researcher salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $25,300 | $12.19 | +1.2% |
| 2024 | $25,100 | $12.04 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $24,400 | $11.74 | +5.9% |
| 2022 | $23,000 | $11.05 | -0.4% |
| 2021 | $23,100 | $11.09 | +1.0% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costar Group | Field Researcher | Fine, NY | 06/20/2025 | $67,000 |
| One Source Technology LLC | Court Field Researcher | Riverside, CA | 06/20/2025 | $37,566 |
| Livabl | Field Researcher | Augusta, GA | 06/16/2025 | $25,044 |
| Livabl | Field Researcher | Albuquerque, NM | 06/16/2025 | $25,044 |
| Livabl | Field Researcher | Columbus, OH | 06/16/2025 | $31,305 |
| Livabl | Field Researcher | Huntsville, AL | 06/16/2025 | $31,305 |
| Rutgers University | Field Researcher III | Freehold, NJ | 06/12/2025 | $60,028 |
| Rutgers University | Field Researcher IV | Downe, NJ | 05/22/2025 | $52,200 |
| Hanley Wood Media Inc. | Field Researcher | Columbus, OH | 05/16/2025 | $31,305 |
| Zonda | Field Researcher | Columbus, OH | 05/15/2025 | $31,305 |
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