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Job outlook for research and development assistants in the United States
Are research and development assistant jobs in demand?
Research and development assistant job and salary trends over time
Research and development assistant jobs over time
Research and development assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 146 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 180 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 182 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 176 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 161 | 0.00% |
Average research and development assistant salary over time
Research and development assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $63,157 | $30.36 | +3.6% |
| 2025 | $60,975 | $29.31 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $59,858 | $28.78 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | $59,037 | $28.38 | +6.5% |
| 2022 | $55,431 | $26.65 | +1.7% |
Research and development assistant jobs by state
Most common states for research and development assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,384 | 35% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,555 | 28% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 202 | 27% |
| 4 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 156 | 27% |
| 5 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 263 | 25% |
| 6 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 218 | 25% |
| 7 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 178 | 24% |
| 8 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 434 | 23% |
| 9 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 159 | 23% |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,761 | 22% |
| 11 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 411 | 20% |
| 12 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,978 | 19% |
| 13 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,123 | 18% |
| 14 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,199 | 17% |
| 15 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 984 | 17% |
| 16 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 493 | 17% |
| 17 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 176 | 17% |
| 18 | Vermont | 623,657 | 106 | 17% |
| 19 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,095 | 16% |
| 20 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 211 | 16% |
Most common cities for research and development assistants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bethesda | 1 | 2% | $68,958 |
| 2 | Rohnert Park | 1 | 2% | $78,429 |
| 3 | Somerville | 1 | 1% | $88,313 |
| 4 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $69,526 |
| 5 | Houston | 1 | 0% | $45,146 |
| 6 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $59,783 |
| 7 | Riverside | 1 | 0% | $66,423 |
Research And Development Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of research and development assistant experts
Seattle University
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
State University of New York at Oswego
What Research And Development Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Autumn Mathias Ph.D., LCSW: My general advice for undergraduate students majoring in sociology would be to begin thinking
(as early as possible) about how studying sociology might prepare you for different careers.
Explore resources online, including the websites of professional organizations such as the
American Sociological Association and the Society for the Study of Social Problems, and
occupational outlook data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition, I would advise
students to speak with their academic advisors, professors, and their college/university career
services personnel about their specific interests, strengths, and opportunities to further develop
various transferable skills throughout (and beyond) their college career. For some students, this
may mean taking certain electives (such as those geared towards maximizing research skills),
and/or adding a minor or a second major. This can also include internships and other experiential
learning opportunities. In addition, students should think about which subfields of sociology
interest them most, and how they see themselves applying their knowledge in a specific field.
Some subfields include urban sociology, medical sociology, political sociology, global and
transnational sociology, law and crime, social inequality, collective behavior, economic
sociology, environmental sociology, and the sociology of education. Sociology students develop
knowledge and skills that are valuable to several fields, including education, legal assistance,
business, public relations, human services/social work, government, public health, urban
planning, criminal justice, market and/or user experience research, and administration. Sociology
students learn to apply a historically and theoretically grounded lens to understanding human
behavior, social institutions, and the interactions between various actors in society across
national and cultural contexts. In addition, they develop both qualitative and quantitative
research skills and are uniquely positioned to apply these skills in a variety of roles to find
solutions to social problems. Accordingly, they are encouraged to develop both cultural humility
and cultural competence, which is critical for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in any
professional setting. As a result, sociology graduates may pursue jobs including (but not limited
to) the following: research assistant at a non-profit organization, probation officer, community
health worker, residential counselor, case manager, legislative aide, policy analyst, and user
experience researcher for a corporation.
In terms of job searching, I would recommend consulting with professors, advisors, and your
college/university's career services office on the best strategies for highlighting your transferable
skills and tailoring your resume and cover letter to specific job postings. Many organizations
utilize AI to review and narrow down job application materials before they are even reviewed by
human eyes. Also, I would encourage graduates to keep an open mind as they search job postings
as their knowledge and skills can be applied in a variety of settings. Additionally, students may
think about whether or not their long-term career goals require a graduate degree. Some
employers offer tuition reimbursement for graduate education.
Harriet Phinney Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorSeattle University
Department of Anthropology and Sociology
What hard/technical skills are most important for Research And Development Assistants?
Harriet Phinney Ph.D.: Empirical data collection: Research skills for collecting original data, analyzing the data, writing up the information collected, and presenting it in a professional manner.
Sara Church
Lecturer of PsychologySaint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences
What experience really stands out on Research And Development Assistant resumes?
Sara Church: Relevant experiences! If students are working towards any degree it would be smart for them to get a job in the field, even if it's just a shift a week. Work in acute settings (e.g., inpatient, and supervised group living) stands out on a resume. These experiences also help them understand content and make them more engaged in class discussion.
Right now, trauma resolution and experience with substance use disorders really stands out! The pandemic and illuminated racial tension have led to heightened trauma responses and an increase in substance use. New grads with any related experience will definitely stand out from the pack. SMWC is currently creating a bachelor's level addictions counseling program that is infused with trauma-informed care. We are excited to be offering this program and do our part in the communal healing process
Ryan Barker
Visiting InstructorState University of New York at Oswego
Departments of Biological Sciences and Health Promotion and Wellness
What Research And Development Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ryan Barker: Gap years are great for experience, do your best to find a job on the ground in your local area but keep mastering things like Zoom or Webex and other telecommunication services. Take the time to set up a designated site in your apartment or home and be prepared to use it because foriegn firms want American talent to strength their presence in the American and global market.