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Lead research specialist salary
Average lead research specialist salary
$51,452
Lead Research Specialist Salary Overview
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Lead Research Specialist stands at $51,452 annually, equating to about $25 per hour. This salary can vary based on factors such as location, industry, and level of experience. For example, specialists in metropolitan areas may find higher compensation due to increased demand for their expertise.
Salary by State
In states with a high concentration of tech and healthcare industries, lead research specialists can expect to earn more. States such as California and New York often rank among the highest for salaries in this field. In contrast, regions with fewer opportunities may offer lower salaries but can provide a lower cost of living.
Career Opportunities
Lead Research Specialists are essential in various sectors, including healthcare, technology, and education. The demand for skilled professionals continues to grow as organizations seek data-driven insights to enhance operations and decision-making processes. This role not only offers competitive pay but also opportunities for advancement into senior research or management positions.
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Where can a Lead Research Specialist earn more?
Lead research specialist salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level lead research specialist | $32,300 | $15.52 |
| Mid-level lead research specialist | $54,500 | $26.21 |
| Senior-level lead research specialist | $89,300 | $42.93 |
Average lead research specialist salary by state
The highest-paying states for lead research specialists are New Jersey, Washington, and New York. The lowest average lead research specialist salary states are Missouri, Vermont, and North Dakota.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for lead research specialists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $89,044 | $42.81 |
| 2 | Alaska | $76,317 | $36.69 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $69,806 | $33.56 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $80,020 | $38.47 |
| 5 | California | $72,740 | $34.97 |
| 6 | Oregon | $64,823 | $31.16 |
| 7 | Delaware | $75,096 | $36.10 |
| 8 | New York | $80,809 | $38.85 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | $58,798 | $28.27 |
| 10 | Washington | $85,039 | $40.88 |
| 11 | Michigan | $59,822 | $28.76 |
| 12 | Hawaii | $72,735 | $34.97 |
| 13 | Nevada | $56,631 | $27.23 |
| 14 | Virginia | $68,294 | $32.83 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $57,275 | $27.54 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $59,686 | $28.70 |
| 17 | Idaho | $54,352 | $26.13 |
| 18 | Connecticut | $61,532 | $29.58 |
| 19 | Montana | $51,482 | $24.75 |
| 20 | Illinois | $57,786 | $27.78 |
| 21 | Maryland | $67,937 | $32.66 |
| 22 | Tennessee | $52,918 | $25.44 |
| 23 | Texas | $56,325 | $27.08 |
| 24 | Florida | $55,599 | $26.73 |
| 25 | Maine | $54,073 | $26.00 |
| 26 | Minnesota | $50,466 | $24.26 |
| 27 | South Dakota | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| 28 | Colorado | $51,016 | $24.53 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $51,912 | $24.96 |
| 30 | Arkansas | $44,984 | $21.63 |
| 31 | Oklahoma | $44,108 | $21.21 |
| 32 | Ohio | $46,460 | $22.34 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $42,452 | $20.41 |
| 34 | Louisiana | $49,260 | $23.68 |
| 35 | Arizona | $48,804 | $23.46 |
| 36 | Utah | $44,175 | $21.24 |
| 37 | Georgia | $49,302 | $23.70 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $47,765 | $22.96 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $37,385 | $17.97 |
| 40 | Wisconsin | $44,329 | $21.31 |
| 41 | Kansas | $37,385 | $17.97 |
| 42 | West Virginia | $44,162 | $21.23 |
| 43 | Wyoming | $42,679 | $20.52 |
| 44 | Vermont | $39,091 | $18.79 |
| 45 | Missouri | $41,029 | $19.73 |
| 46 | Indiana | $41,681 | $20.04 |
| 47 | Alabama | $42,636 | $20.50 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $41,946 | $20.17 |
| 49 | Iowa | $41,986 | $20.19 |
| 50 | North Dakota | $38,626 | $18.57 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $35,342 | $16.99 |
Highest paying cities for lead research specialists
The highest-paying cities for lead research specialists are Washington, DC, Troy, NY, and Baltimore, MD.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $80,024 | $38.47 |
| 2 | Troy, NY | $78,883 | $37.92 |
| 3 | Baltimore, MD | $68,393 | $32.88 |
| 4 | Ann Arbor, MI | $59,351 | $28.53 |
| 5 | Charlotte, NC | $50,236 | $24.15 |
| 6 | Decatur, GA | $48,825 | $23.47 |
| 7 | Atlanta, GA | $48,797 | $23.46 |
| 8 | Chandler, AZ | $48,748 | $23.44 |
| 9 | West Des Moines, IA | $41,539 | $19.97 |
Lead research specialist salary details
A lead research specialist's salary ranges from $34,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $76,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a lead research specialist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $76,000 | $6,333 | $37 |
| 75th Percentile | $63,000 | $5,250 | $30 |
| Average | $51,452 | $4,288 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| 10th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
Highest paying lead research specialist jobs
The highest paying types of lead research specialists are research director, research leader, and product specialist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing Internship | $30,260 | $2,522 | $14.55 | 122,135 |
| Marketing Coordinator | $48,326 | $4,027 | $23.23 | 91,281 |
| Research Manager | $82,894 | $6,908 | $39.85 | 48,867 |
| Research Leader | $107,345 | $8,945 | $51.61 | 77,051 |
| Research Fellow | $53,823 | $4,485 | $25.88 | 59,746 |
| Research Director | $108,875 | $9,073 | $52.34 | 51,298 |
Top companies hiring lead research specialists now:
Which companies pay lead research specialists the most?
Lead research specialist salaries at Department of Homeland Security and Wells Fargo are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average lead research specialist salary at companies like University of Maryland, Baltimore and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Department of Homeland Security | $82,360 | $39.60 |
| 2 | Wells Fargo | $71,728 | $34.48 |
| 3 | University of Maryland, Baltimore | $69,862 | $33.59 |
| 4 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $69,433 | $33.38 |
| 5 | University of Michigan | $69,102 | $33.22 |
| 6 | Emory Healthcare | $68,169 | $32.77 |
| 7 | The University System of Maryland Foundation | $60,633 | $29.15 |
| 8 | Emory University | $49,239 | $23.67 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Lead research specialist salary trends
The average lead research specialist salary has risen by $4,347 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average lead research specialist earned $47,105 annually, but today, they earn $51,452 a year. That works out to a 5% change in pay for lead research specialists over the last decade.
Compare lead research specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average lead research specialist salary over time
Compare lead research specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Lead research specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $51,500 | $24.74 | +3.1% |
| 2025 | $49,900 | $23.98 | +1.1% |
| 2024 | $49,300 | $23.73 | -0.2% |
| 2023 | $49,400 | $23.77 | +1.1% |
| 2022 | $48,900 | $23.52 | +0.7% |
Recently added lead research specialist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Channel Management | Lead Research Specialist | Andover, MA | 06/10/2025 | $50,088 |
| Keybank National Association | Lead Specialist-Account Research and Adjustments | Brooklyn, OH | 05/29/2025 | $41,740 |
| Bay Area Discovery Museum | Research Lead Educator-Ece Specialist | Sausalito, CA | 05/29/2025 | $58,937 |
| Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian | Payment Poster & Research Specialist Lead-Revenue Cycle Epic (Costa Mesa, CA, US, 92626) | Costa Mesa, CA | 05/09/2025 | $54,345 |
| Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP | Lead Research Specialist | Sacramento, CA | 04/28/2025 | $75,000 |
| University of Maryland, Batlimore | Laboratory Research Specialist or Lead Laboratory Research Specialist With) | Baltimore, MD | 04/28/2025 | $81,000 |
| Global Channel Management | Lead Research Specialist | Andover, MA | 04/28/2025 | $50,088 |
| Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP | Lead Research Specialist | Paoli, IN | 03/29/2025 | $75,000 |
| Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP | Lead Research Specialist | Los Angeles, CA | 03/29/2025 | $75,000 |
| Global Channel Management | Lead Research Specialist | Andover, MA | 03/27/2025 | $50,088 |
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