Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Best states for a senior research investigator
Quoted expert
Don Snyder
- Rank 1 - 10
- 11 - 20
- 21 - 30
- 31 - 40
- 41 - 51
Job opportunities vary from state to state, and life, physical, and social science careers are no different. Because we know how difficult it can be to know which states are the best when it comes to senior research investigator jobs, we decided to crunch some numbers to bring you the best states for senior research investigators.This way, if you are newly entering the job market, or you are looking to change jobs, you know which places are the best for senior research investigator jobs.
To do that, we looked at the most recent data we have available for the following criteria -- average annual wages, and availability of jobs for senior research investigators.If you are currently seeking employment as a senior research investigator, you can find open job positions using Zippia's search tools.
10 best states for senior research investigators in 2025
1. New Jersey
Total senior research investigator jobs: 1,456 Average annual salary: $144,732 Lowest 10 percent earn: $97,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $214,000 Location Quotient: 1.63
2. California
Total senior research investigator jobs: 5,253 Average annual salary: $148,928 Lowest 10 percent earn: $96,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $229,000 Location Quotient: 1.6
3. Rhode Island
Total senior research investigator jobs: 157 Average annual salary: $134,275 Lowest 10 percent earn: $89,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $201,000 Location Quotient: 1.15
4. Connecticut
Total senior research investigator jobs: 373 Average annual salary: $152,429 Lowest 10 percent earn: $103,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $224,000 Location Quotient: 1
5. Massachusetts
Total senior research investigator jobs: 2,247 Average annual salary: $123,679 Lowest 10 percent earn: $81,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $187,000 Location Quotient: 2.17
6. Hawaii
Total senior research investigator jobs: 81 Average annual salary: $156,485 Lowest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $231,000 Location Quotient: 0.86
7. Delaware
Total senior research investigator jobs: 135 Average annual salary: $126,787 Lowest 10 percent earn: $84,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $191,000 Location Quotient: 0.96
8. Oregon
Total senior research investigator jobs: 636 Average annual salary: $110,912 Lowest 10 percent earn: $67,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $183,000 Location Quotient: 1.37
9. Tennessee
Total senior research investigator jobs: 561 Average annual salary: $120,784 Lowest 10 percent earn: $81,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $178,000 Location Quotient: 0.85
10. Alaska
Total senior research investigator jobs: 36 Average annual salary: $159,700 Lowest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $241,000 Location Quotient: 0.38
Senior research investigator jobsNear Columbus, OH
How Zippia determines the best states to be a senior research investigator
You can read about how the best state rankings are calculated here.
Detailed list of the best states for a senior research investigator
| Rank | State | Average salary | Lowest 10% earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $144,732 | $97,000 | 9,005,644 | 1,456 |
| 2 | California | $148,928 | $96,000 | 39,536,653 | 5,253 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $134,275 | $89,000 | 1,059,639 | 157 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $152,429 | $103,000 | 3,588,184 | 373 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $123,679 | $81,000 | 6,859,819 | 2,247 |
| 6 | Hawaii | $156,485 | $105,000 | 1,427,538 | 81 |
| 7 | Delaware | $126,787 | $84,000 | 961,939 | 135 |
| 8 | Oregon | $110,912 | $67,000 | 4,142,776 | 636 |
| 9 | Tennessee | $120,784 | $81,000 | 6,715,984 | 561 |
| 10 | Alaska | $159,700 | $105,000 | 739,795 | 36 |
| 11 | Washington | $112,648 | $68,000 | 7,405,743 | 810 |
| 12 | Maine | $117,186 | $76,000 | 1,335,907 | 126 |
| 13 | New York | $115,428 | $75,000 | 19,849,399 | 1,370 |
| 14 | Michigan | $103,109 | $68,000 | 9,962,311 | 805 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $96,655 | $63,000 | 12,805,537 | 1,509 |
| 16 | Indiana | $116,916 | $77,000 | 6,666,818 | 524 |
| 17 | Vermont | $97,989 | $63,000 | 623,657 | 98 |
| 18 | Arizona | $104,922 | $66,000 | 7,016,270 | 574 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $93,469 | $63,000 | 5,576,606 | 822 |
| 20 | Ohio | $100,321 | $66,000 | 11,658,609 | 934 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | $94,492 | $61,000 | 1,342,795 | 203 |
| 22 | District of Columbia | $97,985 | $64,000 | 693,972 | 203 |
| 23 | Maryland | $108,014 | $71,000 | 6,052,177 | 508 |
| 24 | Illinois | $94,141 | $62,000 | 12,802,023 | 1,310 |
| 25 | Nevada | $103,427 | $63,000 | 2,998,039 | 137 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $94,977 | $63,000 | 5,795,483 | 448 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $81,576 | $53,000 | 10,273,419 | 952 |
| 28 | Virginia | $88,798 | $58,000 | 8,470,020 | 933 |
| 29 | Montana | $89,338 | $59,000 | 1,050,493 | 108 |
| 30 | Colorado | $79,608 | $53,000 | 5,607,154 | 757 |
| 31 | West Virginia | $81,524 | $53,000 | 1,815,857 | 133 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $71,399 | $46,000 | 2,088,070 | 218 |
| 33 | Kentucky | $80,162 | $53,000 | 4,454,189 | 235 |
| 34 | Wyoming | $72,860 | $49,000 | 579,315 | 56 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $72,648 | $49,000 | 869,666 | 94 |
| 36 | Idaho | $74,789 | $46,000 | 1,716,943 | 137 |
| 37 | Iowa | $75,640 | $51,000 | 3,145,711 | 218 |
| 38 | Texas | $72,260 | $47,000 | 28,304,596 | 1,829 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $74,777 | $50,000 | 3,004,279 | 146 |
| 40 | Utah | $69,123 | $45,000 | 3,101,833 | 315 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $73,179 | $49,000 | 3,930,864 | 228 |
| 42 | Florida | $65,595 | $43,000 | 20,984,400 | 1,652 |
| 43 | Nebraska | $59,822 | $40,000 | 1,920,076 | 253 |
| 44 | Missouri | $62,834 | $42,000 | 6,113,532 | 623 |
| 45 | North Dakota | $71,259 | $48,000 | 755,393 | 72 |
| 46 | Alabama | $71,695 | $48,000 | 4,874,747 | 207 |
| 47 | Kansas | $66,814 | $45,000 | 2,913,123 | 221 |
| 48 | Georgia | $60,728 | $40,000 | 10,429,379 | 824 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $62,615 | $41,000 | 5,024,369 | 194 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $58,765 | $39,000 | 2,984,100 | 155 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $57,173 | $37,000 | 4,684,333 | 250 |
Highest paying states for senior research investigators
| Rank | State | Avg. Senior Research Investigator Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $144,732 |
| 2 | California | $148,928 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $134,275 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $152,429 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $123,679 |
| 6 | Hawaii | $156,485 |
| 7 | Delaware | $126,787 |
| 8 | Oregon | $110,912 |
| 9 | Tennessee | $120,784 |
| 10 | Alaska | $159,700 |
| 11 | Washington | $112,648 |
| 12 | Maine | $117,186 |
| 13 | New York | $115,428 |
| 14 | Michigan | $103,109 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $96,655 |
| 16 | Indiana | $116,916 |
| 17 | Vermont | $97,989 |
| 18 | Arizona | $104,922 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $93,469 |
| 20 | Ohio | $100,321 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | $94,492 |
| 22 | District of Columbia | $97,985 |
| 23 | Maryland | $108,014 |
| 24 | Illinois | $94,141 |
| 25 | Nevada | $103,427 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $94,977 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $81,576 |
| 28 | Virginia | $88,798 |
| 29 | Montana | $89,338 |
| 30 | Colorado | $79,608 |
| 31 | West Virginia | $81,524 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $71,399 |
| 33 | Kentucky | $80,162 |
| 34 | Wyoming | $72,860 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $72,648 |
| 36 | Idaho | $74,789 |
| 37 | Iowa | $75,640 |
| 38 | Texas | $72,260 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $74,777 |
| 40 | Utah | $69,123 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $73,179 |
| 42 | Florida | $65,595 |
| 43 | Nebraska | $59,822 |
| 44 | Missouri | $62,834 |
| 45 | North Dakota | $71,259 |
| 46 | Alabama | $71,695 |
| 47 | Kansas | $66,814 |
| 48 | Georgia | $60,728 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $62,615 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $58,765 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $57,173 |
Expert opinions on the best states for senior research investigators
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for senior research investigators to find work opportunities?
Don Snyder
Associate Director, Industry Advising: STEM, William and Mary
Strong tech markets in the U.S. include Austin, Raleigh, Atlanta, Denver, Seattle, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Columbus. Some markets are established in tech, while other markets are more up-and-coming. Smaller cities that may be "off the radar" include Huntsville and Tucson. Graduates need to look at different factors when exploring cities, including the cost of living. The dollar will go a lot further in Raleigh than in San Francisco. And some cities that were once more affordable may have a higher cost of living now due to the recent influx of residents.
Senior research investigator best states FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common life, physical, and social science questions.
Search for senior research investigator jobs
Updated January 8, 2025