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Job outlook for research assistant members in the United States
Are research assistant member jobs in demand?
Research assistant member job and salary trends over time
Research assistant member jobs over time
Research assistant member job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 96 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 119 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 120 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 116 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 106 | 0.00% |
Average research assistant member salary over time
Research assistant member salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $99,982 | $48.07 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $96,528 | $46.41 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $94,761 | $45.56 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $93,460 | $44.93 | +6.5% |
| 2021 | $87,751 | $42.19 | +1.7% |
Research assistant member jobs by state
Most common states for research assistant members
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 197 | 28% |
| 2 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,069 | 26% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 345 | 26% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 149 | 24% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 223 | 23% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 174 | 23% |
| 7 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 160 | 18% |
| 8 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,237 | 17% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 118 | 16% |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,015 | 15% |
| 11 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 207 | 15% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 153 | 14% |
| 13 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 644 | 12% |
| 14 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 602 | 11% |
| 15 | California | 39,536,653 | 3,781 | 10% |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,339 | 10% |
| 17 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 823 | 9% |
| 18 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 283 | 9% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 182 | 9% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 53 | 9% |
Most common cities for research assistant members
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buffalo | 1 | 0% | $104,159 |
Research Assistant Member job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of research assistant member experts
University of Texas at Austin
Seattle University
Adelphi University
Adelphi University
New Mexico State University
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Elizabethtown College
Wilkes University
University of Illinois
Saint Peter's University
Creighton University
University of New Hampshire
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-Newark
University of Pittsburgh
East Tennessee State University
Utah State University
Beloit College
Christopher Newport University
Denison University
What general advice would you give to a Research Assistant Member?
Autumn Mathias Ph.D., LCSW: Similar to my answer for the first question, I think that this begins during college as students
build their overall portfolio of knowledge and skills. In addition to strategically selecting
courses, students might think about different volunteer activities (both on and off campus) and
experiential learning opportunities that could help them to further develop skills and build
professional connections. For instance, students can ask professors if there are opportunities for
them to work as a research assistant, or develop their own independent research project. In
addition, students can complete internships with public or private organizations within
community, or even through study abroad programs. In some cases, internships can provide a
bridge to employment post-graduation in that organization.
After students graduate and secure employment, they might consider different ways to engage in
professional development and continuing education. This can occur both within and outside
employer-sponsored activities. For instance, graduates might consider online courses on software
such as Excel, ArcGIS, Python, Tableau, or R. In addition, graduates may think of creative ways
to take leadership on projects in their respective organizations, and/or make a significant
contribution to their organization that will showcase their professional strengths. Finally,
graduates may consider pursuing graduate degrees according to their professional goals, such as
a Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Public Health (MPH), Juris Doctor (JD), Master's in
Education (M.Ed.), or a Master of Public Administration (MPA).
What Research Assistant Member 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.
Mary Neuburger
Director, Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian StudiesUniversity of Texas at Austin
Slavic, Baltic And Albanian Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What Research Assistant Member skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mary Neuburger: Language skills are always important, as well as research skills, and experience working on team projects. I also think deep interdisciplinary knowledge of Russia and its sphere of influence will continue to be important, as well as teachnical skills and knowledge of the information environment-and especially disinformation. UT Austin has a new Global Disinformation Lab, in which study of Russian disinformation (among other things) is carried out.
Harriet Phinney Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorSeattle University
Department of Anthropology and Sociology
What skills stand out on Research Assistant Member resumes?
Harriet Phinney Ph.D.: Understanding human diversity, Difference is viewed not as an obstacle but as an opportunity for generating new ideas, etc.
What soft skills should all Research Assistant Members possess?
Harriet Phinney Ph.D.: Understanding human diversity, effective communication (speaking and writing: the ability to convey complex ideas respectfully to a diverse audience) across differences, adept at working in groups, yet also independent thinkers.
What skills will help Research Assistant Members earn the most?
Harriet Phinney Ph.D.: Anthropologists are analysts and researchers with sharp thinking skills who have the ability to collect, manage, evaluate, and interpret large volumes of data on human behavior.
Lea Theodore Ph.D.
Director, School PsychologyAdelphi University
School Psychology and Institute for Parenting and Postgraduate Certificates in Infant, Child, & Adolescent Psychotherapy
What skills stand out on Research Assistant Member resumes?
Lea Theodore Ph.D.: Skills and experiences that show responsibility, organization, and specific aptitude for the project at hand. A successful resume emphasizes the ways the candidate's learning and experience meet the stated job requirements.
What soft skills should all Research Assistant Members possess?
Lea Theodore Ph.D.: The ability to have respectful communication with people in all roles: directors, supervisors, research participants, peers, and project staff. A 360-degree evaluation would show that everyone agrees that the candidate can be a good fit.
Joaniko Kohchi MPhil, LCSW, IECMH-E®
Director of the Institute for ParentingAdelphi University
School Psychology and Institute for Parenting and Postgraduate Certificates in Infant, Child, & Adolescent Psychotherapy
What soft skills should all Research Assistant Members possess?
Joaniko Kohchi MPhil, LCSW, IECMH-E®: The ability to have respectful communication with people in all roles: directors, supervisors, research participants, peers, and project staff. A 360-degree evaluation would show that everyone agrees that the candidate can be a good fit.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Research Assistant Members?
Joaniko Kohchi MPhil, LCSW, IECMH-E®: Statistical knowledge, assessment skills, knowledge of statistical software (SPSS)
Dr. David LoConto Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology, Interim Department HeadNew Mexico State University
Department of Sociology
What soft skills should all Research Assistant Members possess?
Dr. David LoConto Ph.D.: These days in the job market, the abilities, as mentioned previously, to understand human behavior, contextualize events, and frame what is occurring. The problems that STEM students have now are designing products for humans but do not have that training. Our students are trained to understand humans at the state, institutional, organizational, group, and individual levels in sociology. This allows our students to find jobs if they desire to gain employment in STEM fields and data analytics in general.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Research Assistant Members?
Dr. David LoConto Ph.D.: Increasingly, we see that the hard skills, due to technology changing so fast, become antiquated quickly. Employees must be retrained yearly or every other year. Therefore, the hard skills have lost some value. We provide our students the opportunity to learn not only statistical packages like SPSS and R, but they have the opportunity to do computational research, textual analysis, and data visualization. This provides our students the opportunity to learn skills they can apply to STEM fields, but our students have the bonus of understanding human behavior. Something that in the workforce is rarely taught.
What skills stand out on Research Assistant Member resumes?
Dr. David LoConto Ph.D.: Typically, especially now, would be proficiency in statistical analyses-specifically carried out in SPSS or R. Students also can develop a survey instrument and interview schedules. They can orchestrate several methodologies, including participant observation, historical analyses, focus groups, and a host of other skills. And they can understand human behavior to contextualize events and frame what is occurring.
What skills will help Research Assistant Members earn the most?
Dr. David LoConto Ph.D.: The hard skills at this point provide the most earning potential, but we are finding now that the soft skills that are learned in the social sciences, specifically here, Sociology, provide an avenue that has higher earning potential.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Research Assistant Member job market given the pandemic?
Brady Collins Ph.D.: More remote work/teleworking.
How have salaries changed over time for Research Assistant Members?
Brady Collins Ph.D.: Depends on the state/locality.
David Brown
Professor of HistoryElizabethtown College
History Department
What soft skills should all Research Assistant Members possess?
David Brown: It's critical to be able to work as a team. Empathy, understanding, a bit of diplomacy, and integrity - aside from the obvious need of technical competency - are highly valued. As always, motivation is terribly important and this can be conjoined with flexibility. If energy and attitude remain positive this will rub off on others and create an attractive dynamic that draws people in. Finally, the ability to make a decision and follow through with it is perhaps too little appreciated.
What will help Research Assistant Members increase their earning potential?
David Brown: Salaries have generally kept up with inflation, though with the decline of funding in the Humanities disciplines, the number of jobs has not been robust. There is a wide variance in compensation within a highly stratified university system that includes adjuncts, lecturers, visiting faculty and full-time faculty in the ranks of assistant, associate, and full professor. There is an increasing interest in pubic history - in museums, archives, and historical societies - that provide opportunities for those seeking opportunities outside of the academy.
Dr. Kenneth Klemow Ph.D.
Professor and Chair of BiologyWilkes University
Biology and Health Sciences
How have salaries changed over time for Research Assistant Members?
Dr. Kenneth Klemow Ph.D.: I don't have sufficient familiarity with salary trends to give a good answer, though I know that individuals with data analysis skills command relatively high salaries.
Ken Paige
ProfessorUniversity of Illinois
Department of Evolution, Ecology & Behavior
How have salaries changed over time for Research Assistant Members?
Ken Paige: Salaries have been going up over time with entry level salaries starting at $50k and ranging as high as $80K depending upon level of education.
Dr. Katherine Wydner Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology and Health Careers AdvisorSaint Peter's University
Biology Department
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Research Assistant Members?
Dr. Katherine Wydner Ph.D.: Because of current job shortages caused by the pandemic, many college graduates may find this to be a good time to go back to school for additional certifications, masters, or doctoral degrees. Many advanced degrees in healthcare and medicine at the masters or doctorate levels require courses such as Biochemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Psychology. Another useful course can be Nutrition if someone is interested in a career related to Food Services, a job sector that is anticipated to be in growing demand.
Job prospects for Medical Laboratory Scientists are also excellent. Graduates of bachelors of science and certificate programs who go on to earn their license from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP-BOC) typically find employment within weeks of graduation and licensure. This has held true for many years, as demand for these jobs exceeds the supply of qualified persons. Medical Laboratory Scientists are employed by hospitals, commercial and reference labs, and medical and veterinary offices.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Research Assistant Member job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Katherine Wydner Ph.D.: COVID-19 has focused worldwide attention on the importance of public health, so jobs that relate to healthcare services and wellness will be on the rise. Even before the pandemic, employment in healthcare occupations was expected to experience greater job growth in the next decade than other occupations. There have been losses in healthcare jobs during the pandemic, but fewer losses than in jobs outside of healthcare. In the short term, many medical specialist practices and dentist offices that offer nonemergency services have taken a hit with losses of jobs and revenue.
Here are some examples of specific careers that should be in demand for the foreseeable future. Epidemiologists are public health scientists who investigate patterns and causes of disease. Mental Health Professionals include clinical and counselling psychologists and therapists. Public Health Educators are professionals who spread health information and counter misinformation. Public Health Policy Makers are people who work in government and make decisions toward healthcare goals in a community.
Jobs related to Food Services are also expected to grow faster compared to many other job sectors. These include Nutritionists and Dieticians as well as those involved in food safety and menu planning. This is part of the growing attention on wellness and preventative medicine.
Healthcare will remain an essential field. Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, and medical laboratory scientists will continue to be very important in our workforce, especially due to the aging population in the US.
How have salaries changed over time for Research Assistant Members?
Dr. Katherine Wydner Ph.D.: My direct field is science education, since I am a university professor. I would say that salaries in this field have been rising over time, but not by much, because of cost-saving measures that are in place, especially at small private colleges and universities.
Richard Witmer Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor of Government and PoliticsCreighton University
Department of Political Science
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Research Assistant Member job market given the pandemic?
Richard Witmer Ph.D.: Students interested in preparing for life after the pandemic, and/or graduation will need to start online with internships. In-person opportunities will be harder to come by.
In addition, I expect the job market to continue to reward skilled applicants. This includes liberal arts students with evidence of research and presentation skills. Students with more advanced skills in quantitative research and statistical analysis should find the job search less daunting as well. Having the ability to show this on a resume is even more important now as new and recent grads compete for the same jobs.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Research Assistant Members?
Richard Witmer Ph.D.: With the move to online a few key ones are adaptability, a willingness to continue to learn, teamwork, and reliability.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Research Assistant Member job market given the pandemic?
Ronald Boucher: Given the pandemic, the hospitality industry is in the process of re-inventing itself. This shift has been needed for a long time and the pandemic is demanding that these changes take place. Smart operators are changing how they conduct business and figuring out how to best meet not only their customer's needs but also their employees needs as well.
All of these changes will shrink the labor pool because of streamlining operational efficiencies. However, the pleasure of dining out will not go away. In fact, the industry will need educated and trained professionals to meet this new demand. In fact, the good part is that salaries and benefits to employees will increase as well. This will mean that it is going out to eat will get more expensive for the consumer but that has to be expected and accepted.
I recently informed my freshmen students that they are positioned to have many new opportunities afforded to them for personal and job growth after graduation in four years. In addition the work place environment will be a much friendlier, more respectful and more appreciative environment.
Dr. Rachel Emas Ph.D.
Assistant Teaching Professor, MPA Program DirectorRutgers, The State University of New Jersey-Newark
School of Public Affairs and Administration
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Research Assistant Members?
Dr. Rachel Emas Ph.D.: The courses or certifications that have the greatest impact on a person's public service job prospects are highly dependent on that person's career goals. Some of the courses that are helpful for nearly all public servants include topics like grant writing, administrative ethics, leadership of organizations, equity and diversity, and evidence-based decision making.
How have salaries changed over time for Research Assistant Members?
Dr. Rachel Emas Ph.D.: Given the expansiveness of the field of public administration and the range of job types, I am not sure of the data on salary changes over time.
What technical skills for a Research Assistant Member stand out to employers?
Sarah Hainer Ph.D.: So as an undergrad, working in a research lab, is helpful. Or doing computational work that is related. But that would only be for if one wants to go into biological research.
What soft skills should all Research Assistant Members possess?
Paul Trogen Ph.D.: Soft skills will smooth human interactions. Communicating clearly and politely is nearly as important as what you have to say. Active listening skills and a desire to see things from the other person's perspective help build rapport. Honesty and keeping your word help maintain that rapport. Learning about motivation and social psychology will enable you to help others to meet their goals by working towards organizational goals. Treating others as you would like them to treat you will help you build healthy work relationships.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Research Assistant Members?
Paul Trogen Ph.D.: Some surveys suggest that as many as half of local government jobs may be filled by business graduates. One should take courses similar to what those business students study. One of our graduate students surveyed local governments, and found the skills most in demand included accounting, human resource management, budgeting, public relations, and risk management. The ability to use spreadsheets and communicate clearly with tables and graphs helps. Quantitative skills like linear programming, PERT/CPM, inventory models, and queuing theory will make you an indispensable problem solver. Some high demand niches that are unique to the public sector include geographic information systems (GIS), city planning, and economic development. Hard skills will increase your chances of landing an interview.
Dr. John Stevens
Professor of StatisticsUtah State University
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Research Assistant Members?
Dr. John Stevens: In statistics and data science, there are a lot of good jobs for people with BS degrees, and those who also have a MS degree have more opportunities longer-term for team leadership. For higher-level leadership (like VP-level), a lot of companies do look for the PhD degree, but in statistics and data science many students don't consider going that far because they can already get a good-paying job in industry with the BS or MS. I think those who look longest-term and seriously consider getting a PhD (even without any academic career goals) will have tremendous senior leadership opportunities down the road. That's not to say you can't develop those opportunities in other ways, and of course there's no substitute for good, hard work, in any field. For shorter-term boosts in job prospects, the hot things now are Python and R programming, but I'd emphasize the need to do more than just taste those things in a surface-level introduction. True understanding and value only come with deep experience, and deep experience requires real, dedicated time.
What technical skills for a Research Assistant Member stand out to employers?
Tawnya Cary Ph.D.: The ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively are important skills to develop. These have always been true for most any employer, but in light of the pandemic, they are even more vital. Technically, this means that you need to be able to manage video conferencing platforms, and be able to effectively share information whether via a digital database or presentation. Specifically in biology, employers need scientists that are diligent, detail-oriented, and inquisitive, whether they are collecting data in the lab or the field.
Janet Steven Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorChristopher Newport University
Organismal and Environmental Biology
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Research Assistant Member job market given the pandemic?
Janet Steven Ph.D.: Clearly the pandemic will create a demand for biology graduates working in human health and health care. Not just as care providers like doctors and nurses, but also in epidemiology, public health policy, emergency planning, medical ethics, and many other allied fields.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Research Assistant Members?
Janet Steven Ph.D.: Some careers in biology do require specific certifications, but there are many fields where experience outside the classroom has the biggest impact on job prospects. Spending a summer or two working in the field you are interested in building both your resume and your network. Courses that apply subject matter to hands-on experiences and real-world decisions are also valuable.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Research Assistant Members?
Shiri Noy Ph.D.: This is of course field dependent. Denison University and we focus on teaching our students how to carefully and critically engage with ideas and information in context: whether that's theoretical, conceptual, or substantive. In my experience when I talk to potential employers of my students as a recommender they are interested in students' interpersonal skills, independent thinking, and research skills. Knowing how to collect, systematize, and analyze data, whether that be archival documents, statistical datasets, or interview data, for example, is something that is very appealing to employers. We are bombarded by information and have trained our brains to value novelty (think constant notifications and scrolling!) but having employees that can distinguish patterns and highlight key issues is highly prized. Equally important are interpersonal skills, and knowing how to learn. New jobs always come with new challenges and opportunities, having students that are open to learning, and that know themselves and can utilize the resources around them, primarily their community, peers, and supervisors, to deepen their learning is equally important in my experience. Central to this is communication and awareness: you need to know how to communicate your questions, insights, and needs--this facilitates the best processes and outcomes!
What soft skills should all Research Assistant Members possess?
Shiri Noy Ph.D.: I am not particularly fond of the term "soft skills" since it's often gendered and I think in a lot of ways is not easily distinguishable from so-called "hard" or technical skills. However, I think that what people mean when they talk about soft skills is deeply important: communication, time management, organization, teamwork, approaches to problem-solving, etc. This affects not just how effectively you can use your "hard" skills, but also about communicating your work and ideas to your peers and supervisors. What good is technical knowledge if you don't know how to approach a problem critically, from diverse vantages, and while being open to feedback and others' ideas when you hit a dead end? In this way, and especially in today's world, I think patience and communication are key. With a liberal arts education our Denison University students are used to having to approach a topic from different lenses and perspectives, and work and learn from diverse peers, Professors, and community members. In this way, they have experience with clearly communicating their ideas but also with different ways of thinking about and approaching both practical and theoretical problems. No one will know every technology, system, and skill they will encounter in their first job, so what's most important is knowing how to learn--this means knowing yourself but also knowing how to ask for help, communicate challenges, and be willing to adapt!