Best cities for a research assistant
The best cities for research assistants are Philadelphia, PA, Cleveland, OH, and Detroit, MI, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for research assistants vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for research assistants in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a research assistant or considering a move, this list of the best cities for research assistants to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for research assistants. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a research assistant. While the absolute best city for research assistants is Philadelphia, PA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for research assistants in 2024.
If you're looking for a research assistant job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for research assistants in 2025
1. Philadelphia, PA
Research assistant jobs in PhiladelphiaTotal research assistant jobs: 40 Average annual salary: $43,746 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $68,000 Location quotient: 6.94 2. Cleveland, OH
Research assistant jobs in ClevelandTotal research assistant jobs: 167 Average annual salary: $40,134 Lowest 10 percent warn: $25,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $62,000 Location quotient: 11.92 3. Detroit, MI
Research assistant jobs in DetroitTotal research assistant jobs: 145 Average annual salary: $41,288 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $64,000 Location quotient: 21.52 4. Boston, MA
Research assistant jobs in BostonTotal research assistant jobs: 52 Average annual salary: $53,085 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $80,000 Location quotient: 8.94 5. Toledo, OH
Research assistant jobs in ToledoTotal research assistant jobs: 28 Average annual salary: $39,176 Lowest 10 percent warn: $25,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $60,000 Location quotient: 7.14 6. Raleigh, NC
Research assistant jobs in RaleighTotal research assistant jobs: 67 Average annual salary: $43,541 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $67,000 Location quotient: 2.92 7. Winston-Salem, NC
Research assistant jobs in Winston-SalemTotal research assistant jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $42,670 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $66,000 Location quotient: 2.80 8. Chicago, IL
Research assistant jobs in ChicagoTotal research assistant jobs: 223 Average annual salary: $50,272 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $76,000 Location quotient: 2.56 9. Reno, NV
Research assistant jobs in RenoTotal research assistant jobs: 29 Average annual salary: $41,236 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $63,000 Location quotient: 4.37 10. Newark, NJ
Research assistant jobs in NewarkTotal research assistant jobs: 23 Average annual salary: $58,517 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $91,000 Location quotient: 2.24
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Best cities for research assistants
- Philadelphia, PA
- Cleveland, OH
- Detroit, MI
- Boston, MA
- Toledo, OH
- Raleigh, NC
- Winston-Salem, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Reno, NV
- Newark, NJ
Detailed list of the best cities for a research assistant
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia, PA | $43,746 | $27,000 | 1,567,872 | 40 |
| 2 | Cleveland, OH | $40,134 | $25,000 | 385,809 | 167 |
| 3 | Detroit, MI | $41,288 | $26,000 | 672,795 | 145 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $53,085 | $34,000 | 673,184 | 52 |
| 5 | Toledo, OH | $39,176 | $25,000 | 278,508 | 28 |
| 6 | Raleigh, NC | $43,541 | $27,000 | 458,880 | 67 |
| 7 | Winston-Salem, NC | $42,670 | $27,000 | 242,203 | 12 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $50,272 | $32,000 | 2,704,958 | 223 |
| 9 | Reno, NV | $41,236 | $26,000 | 245,255 | 29 |
| 10 | Newark, NJ | $58,517 | $37,000 | 281,764 | 23 |
| 11 | Washington, DC | $51,473 | $32,000 | 681,170 | 84 |
| 12 | Columbus, OH | $38,431 | $24,000 | 860,090 | 125 |
| 13 | Cincinnati, OH | $36,820 | $23,000 | 298,800 | 212 |
| 14 | Pittsburgh, PA | $41,688 | $26,000 | 303,625 | 38 |
| 15 | Fresno, CA | $50,739 | $32,000 | 522,053 | 11 |
| 16 | Oakland, CA | $52,128 | $32,000 | 420,005 | 10 |
| 17 | Portland, OR | $42,341 | $27,000 | 639,863 | 195 |
| 18 | Lexington, KY | $38,422 | $25,000 | 318,449 | 8 |
| 19 | Chula Vista, CA | $48,509 | $31,000 | 267,172 | 6 |
| 20 | San Diego, CA | $48,623 | $31,000 | 1,406,630 | 207 |
| 21 | Durham, NC | $43,547 | $27,000 | 263,016 | 8 |
| 22 | New Orleans, LA | $42,061 | $28,000 | 391,495 | 9 |
| 23 | Las Vegas, NV | $40,994 | $26,000 | 632,912 | 28 |
| 24 | San Francisco, CA | $52,332 | $32,000 | 870,887 | 70 |
| 25 | Saint Louis, MO | $38,793 | $25,000 | 311,404 | 108 |
| 26 | Madison, WI | $37,965 | $24,000 | 252,551 | 66 |
| 27 | Greensboro, NC | $42,975 | $27,000 | 287,027 | 2 |
| 28 | Los Angeles, CA | $49,916 | $31,000 | 3,976,322 | 87 |
| 29 | New York, NY | $45,775 | $29,000 | 8,537,673 | 241 |
| 30 | Nashville, TN | $32,513 | $21,000 | 660,388 | 199 |
| 31 | Atlanta, GA | $42,592 | $28,000 | 472,522 | 53 |
| 32 | Kansas City, MO | $37,906 | $25,000 | 481,420 | 55 |
| 33 | Miami, FL | $41,207 | $27,000 | 453,579 | 49 |
| 34 | Santa Ana, CA | $49,463 | $31,000 | 334,217 | 5 |
| 35 | Jersey City, NJ | $58,556 | $37,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 36 | Fremont, CA | $52,121 | $32,000 | 233,136 | 6 |
| 37 | Orlando, FL | $40,448 | $27,000 | 277,173 | 37 |
| 38 | Sacramento, CA | $50,074 | $31,000 | 495,234 | 12 |
| 39 | Anchorage, AK | $54,954 | $38,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 40 | Baltimore, MD | $41,035 | $26,000 | 614,664 | 171 |
| 41 | Buffalo, NY | $44,083 | $28,000 | 256,902 | 23 |
| 42 | Charlotte, NC | $41,490 | $27,000 | 842,051 | 7 |
| 43 | Stockton, CA | $50,902 | $32,000 | 307,072 | 1 |
| 44 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $40,570 | $27,000 | 260,999 | 7 |
| 45 | San Jose, CA | $52,196 | $32,000 | 1,025,350 | 8 |
| 46 | Norfolk, VA | $45,342 | $28,000 | 245,115 | 4 |
| 47 | Irvine, CA | $49,373 | $31,000 | 266,122 | 16 |
| 48 | Riverside, CA | $49,232 | $31,000 | 324,722 | 4 |
| 49 | Louisville, KY | $37,942 | $24,000 | 597,337 | 12 |
| 50 | Memphis, TN | $32,080 | $21,000 | 652,717 | 65 |
Highest paying cities for research assistants
| Rank | City | Avg. research assistant salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Brunswick, NJ | $58,524 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $53,085 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $52,332 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $51,473 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $50,272 |
| 6 | Farmington, CT | $50,267 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $45,775 |
| 8 | Providence, RI | $44,218 |
| 9 | Philadelphia, PA | $43,746 |
| 10 | Raleigh, NC | $43,541 |
| 11 | Eugene, OR | $43,105 |
| 12 | Atlanta, GA | $42,592 |
| 13 | Detroit, MI | $41,288 |
| 14 | Miami, FL | $41,207 |
| 15 | Baltimore, MD | $41,035 |
| 16 | Cleveland, OH | $40,134 |
| 17 | Portland, ME | $39,196 |
| 18 | Saint Louis, MO | $38,793 |
| 19 | Seattle, WA | $38,579 |
| 20 | Little Rock, AR | $38,554 |
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Updated January 8, 2025