Best cities for a research associate
The best cities for research associates are Philadelphia, PA, Newark, NJ, and Boston, MA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for research associates vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for research associates in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a research associate or considering a move, this list of the best cities for research associates to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for research associates. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a research associate. While the absolute best city for research associates is Philadelphia, PA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for research associates in 2024.
If you're looking for a research associate job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for research associates in 2025
1. Philadelphia, PA
Research associate jobs in PhiladelphiaTotal research associate jobs: 112 Average annual salary: $56,868 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $83,000 Location quotient: 23.89 2. Newark, NJ
Research associate jobs in NewarkTotal research associate jobs: 88 Average annual salary: $69,764 Lowest 10 percent warn: $47,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $101,000 Location quotient: 30.05 3. Boston, MA
Research associate jobs in BostonTotal research associate jobs: 186 Average annual salary: $71,840 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $103,000 Location quotient: 20.84 4. Raleigh, NC
Research associate jobs in RaleighTotal research associate jobs: 113 Average annual salary: $58,561 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $86,000 Location quotient: 14.40 5. Durham, NC
Research associate jobs in DurhamTotal research associate jobs: 235 Average annual salary: $58,417 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $86,000 Location quotient: 14.69 6. Lexington, KY
Research associate jobs in LexingtonTotal research associate jobs: 99 Average annual salary: $55,886 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $83,000 Location quotient: 16.17 7. Cleveland, OH
Research associate jobs in ClevelandTotal research associate jobs: 23 Average annual salary: $52,279 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $77,000 Location quotient: 50.64 8. Pittsburgh, PA
Research associate jobs in PittsburghTotal research associate jobs: 196 Average annual salary: $54,212 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $80,000 Location quotient: 23.81 9. Winston-Salem, NC
Research associate jobs in Winston-SalemTotal research associate jobs: 51 Average annual salary: $57,301 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $84,000 Location quotient: 10.67 10. Miami, FL
Research associate jobs in MiamiTotal research associate jobs: 79 Average annual salary: $57,821 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $82,000 Location quotient: 9.97
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Best cities for research associates
- Philadelphia, PA
- Newark, NJ
- Boston, MA
- Raleigh, NC
- Durham, NC
- Lexington, KY
- Cleveland, OH
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Winston-Salem, NC
- Miami, FL
Detailed list of the best cities for a research associate
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia, PA | $56,868 | $38,000 | 1,567,872 | 112 |
| 2 | Newark, NJ | $69,764 | $47,000 | 281,764 | 88 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $71,840 | $50,000 | 673,184 | 186 |
| 4 | Raleigh, NC | $58,561 | $39,000 | 458,880 | 113 |
| 5 | Durham, NC | $58,417 | $39,000 | 263,016 | 235 |
| 6 | Lexington, KY | $55,886 | $37,000 | 318,449 | 99 |
| 7 | Cleveland, OH | $52,279 | $35,000 | 385,809 | 23 |
| 8 | Pittsburgh, PA | $54,212 | $36,000 | 303,625 | 196 |
| 9 | Winston-Salem, NC | $57,301 | $38,000 | 242,203 | 51 |
| 10 | Miami, FL | $57,821 | $40,000 | 453,579 | 79 |
| 11 | Detroit, MI | $50,709 | $33,000 | 672,795 | 110 |
| 12 | Cincinnati, OH | $49,331 | $33,000 | 298,800 | 174 |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $61,394 | $41,000 | 2,704,958 | 22 |
| 14 | Columbus, OH | $50,535 | $33,000 | 860,090 | 199 |
| 15 | Greensboro, NC | $57,681 | $38,000 | 287,027 | 41 |
| 16 | Toledo, OH | $50,965 | $34,000 | 278,508 | 28 |
| 17 | Minneapolis, MN | $56,168 | $37,000 | 413,651 | 83 |
| 18 | Louisville, KY | $55,231 | $37,000 | 597,337 | 103 |
| 19 | Washington, DC | $68,100 | $46,000 | 681,170 | 38 |
| 20 | Atlanta, GA | $61,616 | $41,000 | 472,522 | 58 |
| 21 | Portland, OR | $59,206 | $39,000 | 639,863 | 228 |
| 22 | Madison, WI | $49,332 | $33,000 | 252,551 | 214 |
| 23 | New York, NY | $60,288 | $41,000 | 8,537,673 | 118 |
| 24 | New Orleans, LA | $53,038 | $35,000 | 391,495 | 72 |
| 25 | Tucson, AZ | $52,140 | $34,000 | 530,706 | 160 |
| 26 | Saint Paul, MN | $56,242 | $37,000 | 302,398 | 108 |
| 27 | Indianapolis, IN | $50,784 | $34,000 | 855,164 | 161 |
| 28 | Baltimore, MD | $57,794 | $39,000 | 614,664 | 124 |
| 29 | Orlando, FL | $55,419 | $38,000 | 277,173 | 89 |
| 30 | Jersey City, NJ | $69,791 | $47,000 | 264,152 | 37 |
| 31 | Albuquerque, NM | $63,121 | $42,000 | 559,277 | 14 |
| 32 | Tampa, FL | $54,935 | $37,000 | 377,165 | 154 |
| 33 | San Diego, CA | $58,531 | $38,000 | 1,406,630 | 88 |
| 34 | Buffalo, NY | $58,321 | $39,000 | 256,902 | 98 |
| 35 | Charlotte, NC | $56,523 | $38,000 | 842,051 | 57 |
| 36 | Milwaukee, WI | $50,088 | $33,000 | 595,047 | 122 |
| 37 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $54,937 | $37,000 | 260,999 | 18 |
| 38 | Anchorage, AK | $64,242 | $53,000 | 298,192 | 4 |
| 39 | Los Angeles, CA | $59,989 | $38,000 | 3,976,322 | 6 |
| 40 | San Francisco, CA | $63,461 | $40,000 | 870,887 | 49 |
| 41 | Seattle, WA | $54,420 | $36,000 | 704,352 | 19 |
| 42 | Jacksonville, FL | $54,412 | $37,000 | 880,619 | 86 |
| 43 | Fort Wayne, IN | $51,808 | $34,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 44 | Reno, NV | $53,253 | $34,000 | 245,255 | 3 |
| 45 | Scottsdale, AZ | $52,501 | $34,000 | 246,645 | 24 |
| 46 | Lubbock, TX | $41,225 | $27,000 | 252,506 | 130 |
| 47 | Aurora, CO | $52,176 | $35,000 | 361,710 | 181 |
| 48 | Hialeah, FL | $57,700 | $40,000 | 236,387 | - |
| 49 | Nashville, TN | $46,708 | $31,000 | 660,388 | 147 |
| 50 | Memphis, TN | $45,549 | $30,000 | 652,717 | 135 |
Highest paying cities for research associates
| Rank | City | Avg. research associate salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Worcester, MA | $72,205 |
| 2 | Newark, NJ | $69,764 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $68,100 |
| 4 | Newark, DE | $65,978 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $63,461 |
| 6 | Atlanta, GA | $61,616 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $61,394 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $60,288 |
| 9 | Portland, OR | $59,206 |
| 10 | Raleigh, NC | $58,561 |
| 11 | Miami, FL | $57,821 |
| 12 | Baltimore, MD | $57,794 |
| 13 | Philadelphia, PA | $56,868 |
| 14 | Minneapolis, MN | $56,168 |
| 15 | Seattle, WA | $54,420 |
| 16 | Charlottesville, VA | $52,805 |
| 17 | Portland, ME | $52,730 |
| 18 | Baton Rouge, LA | $52,633 |
| 19 | Cleveland, OH | $52,279 |
| 20 | Boulder, CO | $52,162 |
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Updated January 8, 2025