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Junior research associate salary
Average junior research associate salary
$87,565
Average Junior Research Associate Salary
The average salary for a Junior Research Associate is approximately $87,565 per year, translating to about $42 per hour. This position typically requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, making it an entry-level role that offers substantial growth opportunities. Salaries can vary widely based on factors such as industry, geographic location, and years of experience.
Where Can Junior Research Associates Earn More?
States like California and New York often offer higher salaries due to the demand for research professionals in urban centers. Additionally, specialized fields such as pharmaceuticals or biotechnology may provide competitive compensation packages. Understanding these salary dynamics can help candidates make informed career decisions.
Job Outlook
The demand for Junior Research Associates is expected to grow, driven by advancements in technology and the increasing importance of research across sectors. Those entering this field can look forward to a promising career trajectory, with opportunities to advance into senior research roles or management positions.
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Where can a Junior Research Associate earn more?
Junior research associate salary estimates from across the web
Average junior research associate salary by state
The average junior research associate salary in Washington, Maryland, and Idaho are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average junior research associate salary states are Pennsylvania, Florida, and North Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for junior research associates
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $120,974 | $58.16 |
| 2 | New York | $109,181 | $52.49 |
| 3 | Maine | $116,250 | $55.89 |
| 4 | Idaho | $119,325 | $57.37 |
| 5 | West Virginia | $111,106 | $53.42 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $106,348 | $51.13 |
| 7 | Colorado | $104,270 | $50.13 |
| 8 | Ohio | $110,394 | $53.07 |
| 9 | District of Columbia | $108,062 | $51.95 |
| 10 | Washington | $129,545 | $62.28 |
| 11 | Virginia | $98,531 | $47.37 |
| 12 | Utah | $89,637 | $43.09 |
| 13 | Arizona | $101,364 | $48.73 |
| 14 | Illinois | $96,732 | $46.51 |
| 15 | Indiana | $105,377 | $50.66 |
| 16 | Kentucky | $105,673 | $50.80 |
| 17 | Alaska | $107,263 | $51.57 |
| 18 | South Carolina | $105,643 | $50.79 |
| 19 | Nebraska | $81,270 | $39.07 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | $79,524 | $38.23 |
| 21 | Oregon | $81,496 | $39.18 |
| 22 | Missouri | $82,000 | $39.42 |
| 23 | North Dakota | $84,054 | $40.41 |
| 24 | Massachusetts | $79,381 | $38.16 |
| 25 | New Hampshire | $78,890 | $37.93 |
| 26 | Montana | $81,349 | $39.11 |
| 27 | Hawaii | $97,417 | $46.84 |
| 28 | Mississippi | $83,999 | $40.38 |
| 29 | Vermont | $77,253 | $37.14 |
| 30 | Nevada | $82,103 | $39.47 |
| 31 | California | $89,725 | $43.14 |
| 32 | Connecticut | $79,180 | $38.07 |
| 33 | Delaware | $77,751 | $37.38 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $76,561 | $36.81 |
| 35 | Michigan | $74,623 | $35.88 |
| 36 | South Dakota | $74,877 | $36.00 |
| 37 | Louisiana | $78,017 | $37.51 |
| 38 | Wisconsin | $76,593 | $36.82 |
| 39 | Texas | $74,034 | $35.59 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $70,539 | $33.91 |
| 41 | Kansas | $75,454 | $36.28 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $73,720 | $35.44 |
| 43 | Iowa | $74,834 | $35.98 |
| 44 | Pennsylvania | $63,207 | $30.39 |
| 45 | Georgia | $73,055 | $35.12 |
| 46 | Wyoming | $56,654 | $27.24 |
| 47 | Florida | $61,150 | $29.40 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $70,365 | $33.83 |
| 49 | Minnesota | $56,221 | $27.03 |
| 50 | North Carolina | $58,721 | $28.23 |
| 51 | Alabama | $56,412 | $27.12 |
Highest paying cities for junior research associates
The highest-paying cities for junior research associates are Annapolis, MD, Cleveland, OH, and Ossining, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis, MD | $121,160 | $58.25 |
| 2 | Cleveland, OH | $112,601 | $54.14 |
| 3 | Ossining, NY | $109,584 | $52.68 |
| 4 | Jersey City, NJ | $106,558 | $51.23 |
| 5 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $97,794 | $47.02 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $97,330 | $46.79 |
| 7 | Miami, FL | $59,444 | $28.58 |
| 8 | Raleigh, NC | $59,376 | $28.55 |
| 9 | Minneapolis, MN | $56,292 | $27.06 |
Junior research associate salary details
A junior research associate's salary ranges from $60,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $127,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a junior research associate's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $127,000 | $10,583 | $61 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,000 | $8,833 | $51 |
| Average | $87,565 | $7,297 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,000 | $5,917 | $34 |
| 10th Percentile | $60,000 | $5,000 | $29 |
Highest paying junior research associate jobs
The highest paying types of junior research associates are survey operations director, research archaeologist, and survey questionnaire designer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research And Development Internship | $38,489 | $3,207 | $18.50 | 154,854 |
| Research Internship | $39,573 | $3,298 | $19.03 | 95,123 |
| Field Researcher | $25,347 | $2,112 | $12.19 | 49,321 |
Top companies hiring junior research associates now:
Which companies pay junior research associates the most?
Junior research associate salaries at Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average junior research associate salary at companies like AllianceBernstein and Riverbridge are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goldman Sachs | $107,724 | $51.79 |
| 2 | Morgan Stanley | $101,718 | $48.90 |
| 3 | AllianceBernstein | $101,047 | $48.58 |
| 4 | Riverbridge | $89,463 | $43.01 |
| 5 | TissueTech | $87,925 | $42.27 |
| 6 | GRAIL | $87,396 | $42.02 |
| 7 | Rapt Studio | $87,120 | $41.88 |
| 8 | Usibelli Coal Mine | $84,711 | $40.73 |
| 9 | University of Hawaii Foundation | $81,371 | $39.12 |
| 10 | Synergy Enterprises | $80,580 | $38.74 |
| 11 | University of California-Berkeley | $77,895 | $37.45 |
| 12 | Bard College | $77,459 | $37.24 |
| 13 | Raytheon Technologies | $72,094 | $34.66 |
| 14 | University of Cincinnati | $61,790 | $29.71 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Junior research associate salary trends
The average junior research associate salary has risen by $28,842 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average junior research associate earned $58,723 annually, but today, they earn $87,565 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for junior research associates over the last decade.
Compare junior research associate salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average junior research associate salary over time
Compare junior research associate salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Junior research associate salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $87,600 | $42.10 | +1.2% |
| 2024 | $86,500 | $41.61 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $84,400 | $40.57 | +5.9% |
| 2022 | $79,400 | $38.16 | -0.4% |
| 2021 | $79,700 | $38.30 | +1.0% |
Recently added junior research associate salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nielseniq | Junior Research Associate, Financial Services | Boston, MA | 05/26/2025 | $55,500 |
| Baxter | JR. Research Associate | Plymouth, MN | 12/16/2024 | $60,000 |
| University of Cincinnati | Junior Research Associate, Systems Development & Improvement Center | Cincinnati, OH | 10/19/2024 | $53,000 |
| University of Cincinnati | Junior Research Associate, Systems Development & Improvement Center | Cincinnati, OH | 09/25/2024 | $53,000 |
| University of Cincinnati | Junior Research Associate, Systems Development & Improvement Center | Cincinnati, OH | 09/13/2024 | $53,000 |
| Fairmont State University | Junior Research Associate [Student Employee] | Fairmont, WV | 05/01/2024 | $37,566 |
| Fairmont State University | Junior Research Associate [Student Employee] | Fairmont, WV | 01/25/2024 | $37,566 |
| University of Hawaii | Junior Researcher | Urban Honolulu, HI | 12/07/2023 | $97,000 |
| Noble Life Sciences Inc. | JR. Research Associate | Sykesville, MD | 11/16/2023 | $35,479 |
| Noble Life Sciences Inc. | JR. Research Associate | Sykesville, MD | 11/16/2023 | $35,479 |
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