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Junior research fellow salary
Average junior research fellow salary
$64,677
The average salary for a Junior Research Fellow is approximately $64,677 per year or about $31 per hour. This salary can vary based on factors such as location, experience, and specific field of research. In states with a higher demand for research roles, salaries tend to be more competitive. For example, states like California and Massachusetts often report higher average salaries for Junior Research Fellows, reflecting local funding levels and project scopes.
When considering a career as a Junior Research Fellow, it’s crucial to evaluate not only the salary but also the opportunities for growth and advancement. Many fellows move on to permanent research positions or pursue higher education, significantly impacting their earning potential over time. Furthermore, many institutions offer benefits that complement the base salary, such as health insurance and retirement contributions.
From academic institutions to private research organizations, the demand for Junior Research Fellows remains strong. Those interested in this path can find various openings on job boards like Zippia, which provide up-to-date salary information and job opportunities tailored to this profession. Understanding the salary landscape and potential career trajectories can help you make informed decisions about your future in research.
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Where can a Junior Research Fellow earn more?
Junior research fellow salary estimates from across the web
Average junior research fellow salary by state
The average junior research fellow salary in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Tennessee are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average junior research fellow salary states are West Virginia, Iowa, and Texas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for junior research fellows
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $98,184 | $47.20 |
| 2 | California | $88,825 | $42.70 |
| 3 | Tennessee | $91,037 | $43.77 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $97,483 | $46.87 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $75,965 | $36.52 |
| 6 | Delaware | $85,123 | $40.92 |
| 7 | Virginia | $75,132 | $36.12 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $71,383 | $34.32 |
| 9 | North Carolina | $78,665 | $37.82 |
| 10 | Illinois | $74,371 | $35.76 |
| 11 | Maine | $72,415 | $34.81 |
| 12 | Indiana | $78,832 | $37.90 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $67,853 | $32.62 |
| 14 | Maryland | $72,957 | $35.08 |
| 15 | Arizona | $68,998 | $33.17 |
| 16 | District of Columbia | $69,717 | $33.52 |
| 17 | Vermont | $60,352 | $29.02 |
| 18 | Minnesota | $64,303 | $30.91 |
| 19 | Oregon | $62,143 | $29.88 |
| 20 | New York | $65,056 | $31.28 |
| 21 | Hawaii | $75,403 | $36.25 |
| 22 | Michigan | $58,603 | $28.17 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $58,734 | $28.24 |
| 24 | Alaska | $68,407 | $32.89 |
| 25 | Ohio | $59,152 | $28.44 |
| 26 | Nevada | $62,529 | $30.06 |
| 27 | Wisconsin | $64,689 | $31.10 |
| 28 | New Hampshire | $57,427 | $27.61 |
| 29 | Montana | $59,937 | $28.82 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $61,845 | $29.73 |
| 31 | Colorado | $58,082 | $27.92 |
| 32 | Nebraska | $55,680 | $26.77 |
| 33 | Arkansas | $57,992 | $27.88 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $57,434 | $27.61 |
| 35 | Kentucky | $57,693 | $27.74 |
| 36 | Idaho | $54,458 | $26.18 |
| 37 | Missouri | $53,377 | $25.66 |
| 38 | Georgia | $55,230 | $26.55 |
| 39 | Florida | $54,144 | $26.03 |
| 40 | Alabama | $54,917 | $26.40 |
| 41 | New Mexico | $51,235 | $24.63 |
| 42 | Kansas | $52,677 | $25.33 |
| 43 | West Virginia | $49,947 | $24.01 |
| 44 | Utah | $41,704 | $20.05 |
| 45 | North Dakota | $50,035 | $24.06 |
| 46 | Washington | $54,207 | $26.06 |
| 47 | Texas | $45,322 | $21.79 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $50,649 | $24.35 |
| 49 | Iowa | $47,723 | $22.94 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $45,011 | $21.64 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $43,361 | $20.85 |
Highest paying cities for junior research fellows
The highest-paying cities for junior research fellows are Sunnyvale, CA, Ashburn, VA, and Urban Honolulu, HI.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunnyvale, CA | $94,751 | $45.55 |
| 2 | Ashburn, VA | $75,839 | $36.46 |
| 3 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $75,477 | $36.29 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $69,711 | $33.51 |
| 5 | Scottsdale, AZ | $68,960 | $33.15 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $67,825 | $32.61 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $65,230 | $31.36 |
| 8 | Huntsville, AL | $55,248 | $26.56 |
| 9 | Kansas City, MO | $53,199 | $25.58 |
| 10 | Houston, TX | $45,402 | $21.83 |
Junior research fellow salary details
A junior research fellow's salary ranges from $46,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $90,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a junior research fellow's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $90,000 | $7,500 | $43 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,000 | $6,417 | $37 |
| Average | $64,677 | $5,390 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $54,000 | $4,500 | $26 |
| 10th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $22 |
Highest paying junior research fellow jobs
The highest paying types of junior research fellows are senior scientist, scientist, and research scientist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientist | $97,344 | $8,112 | $46.80 | 62,467 |
| Research Laboratory Technician | $38,308 | $3,192 | $18.42 | 86,476 |
| Fellow | $66,364 | $5,530 | $31.91 | 7,459 |
| Research Internship | $39,573 | $3,298 | $19.03 | 95,123 |
| Research Technician | $43,034 | $3,586 | $20.69 | 64,786 |
| Research Scientist | $89,998 | $7,500 | $43.27 | 93,013 |
Top companies hiring junior research fellows now:
Which companies pay junior research fellows the most?
Junior research fellow salaries at Colfax Corporation and University of Hawaii Foundation are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average junior research fellow salary at companies like HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and Atlantic Council are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colfax Corporation | $95,347 | $45.84 |
| 2 | University of Hawaii Foundation | $70,395 | $33.84 |
| 3 | HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology | $65,885 | $31.68 |
| 4 | Atlantic Council | $65,197 | $31.34 |
| 5 | Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation | $64,239 | $30.88 |
| 6 | Brigham and Women's Hospital | $63,695 | $30.62 |
| 7 | New York University | $63,158 | $30.36 |
| 8 | HHMI | $62,145 | $29.88 |
| 9 | Harvard University | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| 10 | The University of Kansas Health System | $55,327 | $26.60 |
| 11 | The University of Kansas | $54,111 | $26.01 |
| 12 | UTHealth | $52,733 | $25.35 |
| 13 | UT Health San Antonio | $46,489 | $22.35 |
| 14 | Search for Common Ground | $45,819 | $22.03 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Junior research fellow salary trends
The average junior research fellow salary has risen by $10,870 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average junior research fellow earned $53,807 annually, but today, they earn $64,677 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for junior research fellows over the last decade.
Compare junior research fellow salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average junior research fellow salary over time
Compare junior research fellow salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Junior research fellow salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $64,700 | $31.09 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $62,800 | $30.17 | +4.5% |
| 2023 | $59,900 | $28.82 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | $58,000 | $27.89 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $56,900 | $27.36 | -2.1% |
Recently added junior research fellow salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usc | Junior Fellow | Parksdale, CA | 03/28/2025 | $50,088 |
| Usc | Junior Fellow | Parksdale, CA | 02/18/2025 | $50,088 |
| Thomsonreuterslatam | Reuters Climate Science Fellow Junior Journalist-Temp) | Los Angeles, CA | 02/16/2025 | $62,610 |
| Thomson Reuters Corporation | Reuters Climate Science Fellow Junior Journalist-Temp) | New York, NY | 02/06/2025 | $62,610 |
| The Webb Schools | Fellow, Junior Scholars Summer Program | Claremont, CA | 02/01/2025 | $34,436 |
| Usc | Junior Fellow | Parksdale, CA | 01/26/2025 | $50,088 |
| Apex Systems, LLC | JR. PM | Greenwood Village, CO | 12/04/2024 | $73,045 |
| BNL Technical Services | Raymond Davis JR. Fellowship | Fine, NY | 10/28/2024 | $101,200 |
| Vacancies | Scoville Peace Fellow Herbert Scoville JR. Peace Fellowship | Ione, WA | 10/23/2024 | $48,948 |
| AFBA 5 Star Investment Management Co | Raymond Davis JR. Fellowship | Fine, NY | 10/16/2024 | $101,200 |
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