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Associate research specialist salary
Average associate research specialist salary
$48,302
Understanding Associate Research Specialist Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for an Associate Research Specialist is approximately $48,302 per year, or about $23 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as location and experience level. For instance, entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced specialists can command higher wages.
Salary by State
Geographical location plays a crucial role in salary potential. States with a higher demand for research professionals often offer better compensation. In states like California and New York, salaries may exceed the national average. Thus, professionals should consider relocating to areas with stronger job markets for potential salary increases.
Experience Matters
Experience level directly influences salary. Entry-level Associate Research Specialists typically earn less, while those with several years in the field can see salaries rise significantly. Additionally, specialized skills or advanced degrees may lead to higher pay, making continuous education and professional development key strategies for career advancement.
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Where can an Associate Research Specialist earn more?
Associate research specialist salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level associate research specialist | $30,300 | $14.57 |
| Mid-level associate research specialist | $51,200 | $24.61 |
| Senior-level associate research specialist | $83,800 | $40.30 |
Associate research specialist salary estimates from across the web
Average associate research specialist salary by state
The average associate research specialist salary in Washington, New Jersey, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average associate research specialist salary states are Nebraska, Vermont, and Alabama.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for associate research specialists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $76,915 | $36.98 |
| 2 | Delaware | $64,023 | $30.78 |
| 3 | Washington | $77,541 | $37.28 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $68,057 | $32.72 |
| 5 | Oregon | $57,526 | $27.66 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $56,973 | $27.39 |
| 7 | Michigan | $55,045 | $26.46 |
| 8 | Montana | $55,820 | $26.84 |
| 9 | Minnesota | $55,062 | $26.47 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $54,875 | $26.38 |
| 11 | New York | $64,349 | $30.94 |
| 12 | Texas | $59,248 | $28.48 |
| 13 | Idaho | $55,558 | $26.71 |
| 14 | California | $55,905 | $26.88 |
| 15 | Maine | $53,668 | $25.80 |
| 16 | Virginia | $55,056 | $26.47 |
| 17 | Colorado | $52,523 | $25.25 |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $50,457 | $24.26 |
| 19 | Maryland | $58,041 | $27.90 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $50,962 | $24.50 |
| 21 | Alaska | $60,151 | $28.92 |
| 22 | Connecticut | $53,994 | $25.96 |
| 23 | Illinois | $50,609 | $24.33 |
| 24 | South Dakota | $50,415 | $24.24 |
| 25 | Utah | $45,972 | $22.10 |
| 26 | Wyoming | $46,147 | $22.19 |
| 27 | Georgia | $47,561 | $22.87 |
| 28 | North Carolina | $44,560 | $21.42 |
| 29 | Nevada | $49,370 | $23.74 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $43,130 | $20.74 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $45,551 | $21.90 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $42,384 | $20.38 |
| 33 | Florida | $41,683 | $20.04 |
| 34 | Iowa | $44,198 | $21.25 |
| 35 | Ohio | $43,362 | $20.85 |
| 36 | Vermont | $38,592 | $18.55 |
| 37 | Nebraska | $38,946 | $18.72 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $42,726 | $20.54 |
| 39 | Hawaii | $40,308 | $19.38 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $42,668 | $20.51 |
| 41 | Arizona | $40,541 | $19.49 |
| 42 | Indiana | $40,707 | $19.57 |
| 43 | West Virginia | $39,655 | $19.06 |
| 44 | New Mexico | $40,369 | $19.41 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $42,045 | $20.21 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $41,248 | $19.83 |
| 47 | Missouri | $37,401 | $17.98 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $39,713 | $19.09 |
| 49 | Alabama | $38,161 | $18.35 |
| 50 | Kansas | $37,300 | $17.93 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $31,754 | $15.27 |
Highest paying cities for associate research specialists
The highest-paying cities for associate research specialists are Seattle, WA, Washington, DC, and El Paso, TX.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $78,231 | $37.61 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $68,152 | $32.77 |
| 3 | El Paso, TX | $61,593 | $29.61 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $60,375 | $29.03 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $57,043 | $27.42 |
| 6 | Ann Arbor, MI | $54,507 | $26.21 |
| 7 | Evanston, IL | $51,227 | $24.63 |
| 8 | Sioux Falls, SD | $49,912 | $24.00 |
| 9 | Cary, NC | $45,178 | $21.72 |
| 10 | Madison, WI | $45,158 | $21.71 |
| 11 | Baton Rouge, LA | $42,155 | $20.27 |
| 12 | West Palm Beach, FL | $41,808 | $20.10 |
Associate research specialist salary details
An associate research specialist's salary ranges from $33,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $69,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an associate research specialist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $69,000 | $5,750 | $33 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,000 | $4,833 | $28 |
| Average | $48,302 | $4,025 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 10th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
Highest paying associate research specialist jobs
The highest paying types of associate research specialists are research leader, product specialist, and research consultant.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing Coordinator | $48,326 | $4,027 | $23.23 | 91,281 |
| Marketing Internship | $30,260 | $2,522 | $14.55 | 122,135 |
| Research Internship | $39,573 | $3,298 | $19.03 | 95,123 |
| Research Manager | $82,894 | $6,908 | $39.85 | 48,867 |
| Research Consultant | $83,492 | $6,958 | $40.14 | 61,865 |
| Research Coordinator | $48,974 | $4,081 | $23.55 | 65,406 |
Top companies hiring associate research specialists now:
Which companies pay associate research specialists the most?
Associate research specialist salaries at SAS Institute and Mayo Clinic are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average associate research specialist salary at companies like UC Santa Barbara and University of Connecticut are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SAS Institute | $79,557 | $38.25 |
| 2 | Mayo Clinic | $67,354 | $32.38 |
| 3 | UC Santa Barbara | $65,473 | $31.48 |
| 4 | University of Connecticut | $58,453 | $28.10 |
| 5 | Children's Hospital Los Angeles | $58,193 | $27.98 |
| 6 | LA State University Continuing | $57,833 | $27.80 |
| 7 | Allen Institute | $57,693 | $27.74 |
| 8 | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center | $56,681 | $27.25 |
| 9 | Florida Power and Light | $56,318 | $27.08 |
| 10 | Northwestern University | $53,950 | $25.94 |
| 11 | Princeton University | $53,835 | $25.88 |
| 12 | University of Michigan | $52,260 | $25.13 |
| 13 | Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi | $51,892 | $24.95 |
| 14 | Quinn | $51,774 | $24.89 |
| 15 | Northwell Health | $49,744 | $23.92 |
| 16 | Exicure | $49,337 | $23.72 |
| 17 | Texas Department of Transportation | $48,932 | $23.52 |
| 18 | University of North Carolina | $48,350 | $23.25 |
| 19 | Sanford Health | $45,512 | $21.88 |
| 20 | University of Wisconsin System | $43,841 | $21.08 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Associate Research Specialist salary by industry
The average associate research specialist salary varies across industries:
- The average associate research specialist salary in the finance industry is $54,679, the highest of any industry.
- The average associate research specialist salary in the finance industry is $53,533.
- Associate research specialists in the professional industry earn an average salary of $47,707, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for associate research specialists
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finance | $54,679 | $26.29 |
| 2 | Health Care | $53,533 | $25.74 |
| 3 | Education | $51,541 | $24.78 |
| 4 | Professional | $47,707 | $22.94 |
High paying associate research specialist jobs
Associate research specialist salary trends
The average associate research specialist salary has risen by $4,080 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average associate research specialist earned $44,222 annually, but today, they earn $48,302 a year. That works out to a 5% change in pay for associate research specialists over the last decade.
Compare associate research specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average associate research specialist salary over time
Compare associate research specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Associate research specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $48,300 | $23.22 | +3.1% |
| 2025 | $46,800 | $22.51 | +1.1% |
| 2024 | $46,300 | $22.27 | -0.2% |
| 2023 | $46,400 | $22.31 | +1.1% |
| 2022 | $45,900 | $22.08 | +0.7% |
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