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The average salary for a Research Affiliate stands at approximately $67,863 per year. This figure can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, experience level, and the specific field of research. For instance, affiliates working in high-cost areas or specialized fields may command higher salaries.
Research Affiliates in states like California and New York tend to earn more, reflecting the cost of living and demand for research professionals in those regions. In contrast, states with lower living costs may offer competitive salaries that align with local market conditions.
As research becomes increasingly vital across industries, the demand for Research Affiliates is expected to grow. This role not only provides a stable salary but also pathways to advancement in research management and academia. By understanding the salary landscape, potential job seekers can make informed decisions on their career paths.
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The highest-paying states for research affiliates are New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Minnesota. The lowest average research affiliate salary states are Florida, North Dakota, and South Carolina.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $85,140 | $40.93 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $85,488 | $41.10 |
| 3 | Minnesota | $78,959 | $37.96 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $77,407 | $37.21 |
| 5 | Delaware | $74,658 | $35.89 |
| 6 | Tennessee | $74,181 | $35.66 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | $68,614 | $32.99 |
| 8 | Maine | $71,684 | $34.46 |
| 9 | Montana | $76,516 | $36.79 |
| 10 | Michigan | $67,950 | $32.67 |
| 11 | Indiana | $74,314 | $35.73 |
| 12 | Massachusetts | $65,834 | $31.65 |
| 13 | Virginia | $69,085 | $33.21 |
| 14 | Maryland | $66,773 | $32.10 |
| 15 | Oregon | $63,995 | $30.77 |
| 16 | West Virginia | $64,968 | $31.23 |
| 17 | California | $74,323 | $35.73 |
| 18 | Colorado | $63,999 | $30.77 |
| 19 | Nevada | $69,909 | $33.61 |
| 20 | Arizona | $64,288 | $30.91 |
| 21 | Wyoming | $62,089 | $29.85 |
| 22 | Alaska | $73,754 | $35.46 |
| 23 | Vermont | $60,600 | $29.13 |
| 24 | Ohio | $61,548 | $29.59 |
| 25 | Oklahoma | $62,883 | $30.23 |
| 26 | Illinois | $61,739 | $29.68 |
| 27 | Arkansas | $63,087 | $30.33 |
| 28 | Washington | $61,200 | $29.42 |
| 29 | New Hampshire | $59,668 | $28.69 |
| 30 | Wisconsin | $61,123 | $29.39 |
| 31 | New York | $59,401 | $28.56 |
| 32 | North Carolina | $60,653 | $29.16 |
| 33 | South Dakota | $55,433 | $26.65 |
| 34 | Hawaii | $63,162 | $30.37 |
| 35 | District of Columbia | $61,474 | $29.55 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $54,576 | $26.24 |
| 37 | Kentucky | $59,364 | $28.54 |
| 38 | New Mexico | $55,369 | $26.62 |
| 39 | Idaho | $57,838 | $27.81 |
| 40 | Texas | $57,105 | $27.45 |
| 41 | Kansas | $55,928 | $26.89 |
| 42 | Florida | $52,823 | $25.40 |
| 43 | Utah | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| 44 | Georgia | $55,289 | $26.58 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $53,365 | $25.66 |
| 46 | Alabama | $54,108 | $26.01 |
| 47 | Iowa | $53,801 | $25.87 |
| 48 | North Dakota | $51,283 | $24.66 |
| 49 | Missouri | $47,122 | $22.65 |
| 50 | South Carolina | $50,715 | $24.38 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $45,273 | $21.77 |
The highest-paying cities for research affiliates are Menlo Park, CA, Stanford, CA, and Palo Alto, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Menlo Park, CA | $75,815 | $36.45 |
| 2 | Stanford, CA | $75,804 | $36.44 |
| 3 | Palo Alto, CA | $75,795 | $36.44 |
| 4 | Davis, CA | $75,657 | $36.37 |
| 5 | Albany, NY | $57,473 | $27.63 |
| 6 | Buffalo, NY | $57,358 | $27.58 |
| 7 | Largo, FL | $52,923 | $25.44 |
A research affiliate's salary ranges from $49,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $93,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $93,000 | $7,750 | $45 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,000 | $6,667 | $38 |
| Average | $67,863 | $5,655 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,000 | $4,750 | $27 |
| 10th Percentile | $49,000 | $4,083 | $24 |
The highest paying types of research affiliates are medical science liaison, principal scientist, and senior scientist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctoral Fellow | $53,366 | $4,447 | $25.66 | 22,661 |
| Postdoctoral Scholar | $57,587 | $4,799 | $27.69 | 18,983 |
| Principal Scientist | $119,982 | $9,998 | $57.68 | 80,899 |
| Fellow | $66,364 | $5,530 | $31.91 | 7,459 |
| Scientist | $97,344 | $8,112 | $46.80 | 62,467 |
| Medical Science Liaison | $145,718 | $12,143 | $70.06 | 57,208 |
Top companies hiring research affiliates now:
Research affiliate salaries at VMware and Roswell Park are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average research affiliate salary at companies like Stanford University and Health Research, Inc. are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VMware | $87,402 | $42.02 |
| 2 | Roswell Park | $77,434 | $37.23 |
| 3 | Stanford University | $76,505 | $36.78 |
| 4 | Health Research, Inc. | $69,403 | $33.37 |
| 5 | Belcher Corporation, Llc | $66,066 | $31.76 |
| 6 | USDA | $62,453 | $30.03 |
The average research affiliate salary has risen by $11,406 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average research affiliate earned $56,457 annually, but today, they earn $67,863 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for research affiliates over the last decade.
Compare research affiliate salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare research affiliate salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $67,900 | $32.63 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | $65,800 | $31.66 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $62,900 | $30.24 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $60,900 | $29.27 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $59,700 | $28.71 | -2.1% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Research, Inc. | Research Affiliate I (Post Doctoral) | Albany, NY | 04/29/2025 | $61,008 |
| Health Research, Inc. | Research Affiliate I | Albany, NY | 03/30/2025 | $61,088 |
| The Leland Stanford, Jr University | Postdoctoral Research Affiliate | Palo Alto, CA | 03/22/2025 | $74,486 |
| The Leland Stanford, Jr University | Postdoctoral Research Affiliate | Stanford, CA | 03/20/2025 | $77,103 |
| The Leland Stanford, Jr University | Postdoctoral Research Affiliate | Stanford, CA | 03/20/2025 | $74,606 |
| The Leland Stanford, Jr University | Postdoctoral Research Affiliate | Stanford, CA | 03/18/2025 | $74,548 |
| The Leland Stanford, Jr University | Posdoctoral Research Affiliate | Stanford, CA | 03/14/2025 | $83,680 |
| The Leland Stanford, Jr University | Posdoctoral Research Affiliate | Stanford, CA | 03/13/2025 | $74,606 |
| The Leland Stanford, Jr University | Postdoctoral Research Affiliate | Stanford, CA | 03/13/2025 | $74,576 |
| The Leland Stanford, Jr University | Postdoctoral Research Affiliate | Stanford, CA | 03/12/2025 | $78,000 |
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