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Associate project scientist salary
Average associate project scientist salary
$88,756
Understanding the Salary of an Associate Project Scientist
The role of an Associate Project Scientist is critical in research and development, often requiring a combination of technical skills and project management expertise. As of October 2025, the average salary stands at $88,756 per year, with variation by state and industry.
In states like California and Massachusetts, salaries tend to be higher due to the concentration of research institutions and technology companies. Factors such as years of experience, educational background, and specialization in fields like biotechnology or environmental science significantly affect earning potential.
Salary Overview by State
For instance, the highest-paying states for this role include:
- California: $95,000
- Massachusetts: $92,000
- New York: $90,000
These figures reflect the demand for skilled professionals in scientific research and the competitive nature of the job market. Job seekers can improve their prospects by pursuing relevant certifications and gaining experience in specialized fields.
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Where can an Associate Project Scientist earn more?
Associate project scientist salary estimates from across the web
Average associate project scientist salary by state
The highest-paying states for associate project scientists are Rhode Island, Connecticut, and California. The lowest average associate project scientist salary states are Iowa, West Virginia, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for associate project scientists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $100,986 | $48.55 |
| 2 | Montana | $98,144 | $47.18 |
| 3 | Nevada | $93,142 | $44.78 |
| 4 | Maine | $89,834 | $43.19 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $100,449 | $48.29 |
| 6 | Tennessee | $83,102 | $39.95 |
| 7 | Indiana | $85,588 | $41.15 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $84,118 | $40.44 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $95,764 | $46.04 |
| 10 | Michigan | $82,921 | $39.87 |
| 11 | Hawaii | $89,407 | $42.98 |
| 12 | North Carolina | $78,915 | $37.94 |
| 13 | Ohio | $79,745 | $38.34 |
| 14 | California | $99,017 | $47.60 |
| 15 | Wyoming | $76,217 | $36.64 |
| 16 | Delaware | $86,827 | $41.74 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $77,455 | $37.24 |
| 18 | Wisconsin | $77,254 | $37.14 |
| 19 | Illinois | $87,126 | $41.89 |
| 20 | Alaska | $88,274 | $42.44 |
| 21 | Arizona | $86,375 | $41.53 |
| 22 | Vermont | $75,600 | $36.35 |
| 23 | Massachusetts | $82,602 | $39.71 |
| 24 | Idaho | $75,981 | $36.53 |
| 25 | New Hampshire | $72,776 | $34.99 |
| 26 | Oregon | $82,419 | $39.62 |
| 27 | Washington | $79,344 | $38.15 |
| 28 | New York | $81,399 | $39.13 |
| 29 | New Mexico | $69,713 | $33.52 |
| 30 | Arkansas | $71,402 | $34.33 |
| 31 | Missouri | $69,968 | $33.64 |
| 32 | Maryland | $77,619 | $37.32 |
| 33 | Oklahoma | $72,707 | $34.96 |
| 34 | South Dakota | $65,928 | $31.70 |
| 35 | North Dakota | $63,677 | $30.61 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $67,423 | $32.41 |
| 37 | Texas | $62,623 | $30.11 |
| 38 | Kansas | $63,082 | $30.33 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $62,574 | $30.08 |
| 40 | West Virginia | $62,139 | $29.87 |
| 41 | Iowa | $62,221 | $29.91 |
| 42 | Alabama | $62,638 | $30.11 |
| 43 | District of Columbia | $71,337 | $34.30 |
| 44 | Virginia | $66,046 | $31.75 |
| 45 | Colorado | $67,737 | $32.57 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $57,392 | $27.59 |
| 47 | Florida | $64,996 | $31.25 |
| 48 | Georgia | $63,570 | $30.56 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $57,007 | $27.41 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $53,065 | $25.51 |
| 51 | Utah | $54,398 | $26.15 |
Highest paying cities for associate project scientists
The highest-paying cities for associate project scientists are Berkeley, CA, Davis, CA, and Sacramento, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berkeley, CA | $104,064 | $50.03 |
| 2 | Davis, CA | $103,851 | $49.93 |
| 3 | Sacramento, CA | $103,686 | $49.85 |
| 4 | Santa Cruz, CA | $103,237 | $49.63 |
| 5 | Santa Barbara, CA | $98,324 | $47.27 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $97,294 | $46.78 |
| 7 | Irvine, CA | $96,840 | $46.56 |
| 8 | Riverside, CA | $96,786 | $46.53 |
| 9 | San Diego, CA | $96,307 | $46.30 |
| 10 | Raritan, NJ | $95,608 | $45.97 |
| 11 | Mattawan, MI | $82,065 | $39.45 |
Associate project scientist salary details
An associate project scientist's salary ranges from $66,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $118,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an associate project scientist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $118,000 | $9,833 | $57 |
| 75th Percentile | $103,000 | $8,583 | $50 |
| Average | $88,756 | $7,396 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,000 | $6,333 | $37 |
| 10th Percentile | $66,000 | $5,500 | $32 |
Highest paying associate project scientist jobs
The highest paying types of associate project scientists are medical science liaison, principal scientist, and senior scientist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fellow | $66,364 | $5,530 | $31.91 | 7,459 |
| Research Fellow | $53,823 | $4,485 | $25.88 | 59,746 |
| PHD Researcher | $51,634 | $4,303 | $24.82 | 19,736 |
| Researcher | $67,145 | $5,595 | $32.28 | 30,498 |
| Research Laboratory Manager | $64,333 | $5,361 | $30.93 | 89,981 |
| Doctoral Fellow | $53,366 | $4,447 | $25.66 | 22,661 |
Top companies hiring associate project scientists now:
Which companies pay associate project scientists the most?
Associate project scientist salaries at Charles River Labs and University of California are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average associate project scientist salary at companies like Johnson & Johnson and University of California, Berkeley are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles River Labs | $88,438 | $42.52 |
| 2 | University of California | $88,215 | $42.41 |
| 3 | Johnson & Johnson | $85,998 | $41.35 |
| 4 | University of California-Berkeley | $85,254 | $40.99 |
| 5 | UC Santa Barbara | $84,189 | $40.48 |
| 6 | UC Merced | $79,108 | $38.03 |
| 7 | Charles River Center | $67,447 | $32.43 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Associate project scientist salary trends
The average associate project scientist salary has risen by $14,917 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average associate project scientist earned $73,839 annually, but today, they earn $88,756 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for associate project scientists over the last decade.
Compare associate project scientist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average associate project scientist salary over time
Compare associate project scientist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Associate project scientist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $88,800 | $42.67 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | $86,100 | $41.40 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $82,300 | $39.55 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $79,600 | $38.28 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $78,100 | $37.55 | -2.1% |
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