Best cities for a student research assistant
The best cities for student research assistants are Lexington, KY, Philadelphia, PA, and Reno, NV, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for student research assistants vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for student research assistants in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a student research assistant or considering a move, this list of the best cities for student research assistants to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for student research assistants. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a student research assistant. While the absolute best city for student research assistants is Lexington, KY, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for student research assistants in 2024.
If you're looking for a student research assistant job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for student research assistants in 2026
1. Lexington, KY
Total student research assistant jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $26,297 Lowest 10 percent warn: $19,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $35,000 Location quotient: 14.11 2. Philadelphia, PA
Total student research assistant jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $28,499 Lowest 10 percent warn: $19,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $41,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Reno, NV
Total student research assistant jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $26,615 Lowest 10 percent warn: $18,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $37,000 Location quotient: 7.77 4. Anchorage, AK
Total student research assistant jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $44,831 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $60,000 Location quotient: 28.90 5. Minneapolis, MN
Total student research assistant jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $30,196 Lowest 10 percent warn: $21,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $42,000 Location quotient: 1.55 6. Louisville, KY
Total student research assistant jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $26,231 Lowest 10 percent warn: $19,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $35,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Saint Paul, MN
Total student research assistant jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $30,208 Lowest 10 percent warn: $21,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $42,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Portland, OR
Total student research assistant jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $31,403 Lowest 10 percent warn: $21,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $45,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Atlanta, GA
Total student research assistant jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $29,081 Lowest 10 percent warn: $21,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $38,000 Location quotient: 0.63 10. Boston, MA
Total student research assistant jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $46,674 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $68,000 Location quotient: 2.46
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Best cities for student research assistants
- Lexington, KY
- Philadelphia, PA
- Reno, NV
- Anchorage, AK
- Minneapolis, MN
- Louisville, KY
- Saint Paul, MN
- Portland, OR
- Atlanta, GA
- Boston, MA
- (3 student research assistant jobs)
- (0 student research assistant jobs)
- (2 student research assistant jobs)
- (5 student research assistant jobs)
- (2 student research assistant jobs)
- (0 student research assistant jobs)
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- (0 student research assistant jobs)
- (2 student research assistant jobs)
- (6 student research assistant jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a student research assistant
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington, KY | $26,297 | $19,000 | 318,449 | 3 |
| 2 | Philadelphia, PA | $28,499 | $19,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 3 | Reno, NV | $26,615 | $18,000 | 245,255 | 2 |
| 4 | Anchorage, AK | $44,831 | $33,000 | 298,192 | 5 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $30,196 | $21,000 | 413,651 | 2 |
| 6 | Louisville, KY | $26,231 | $19,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 7 | Saint Paul, MN | $30,208 | $21,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 8 | Portland, OR | $31,403 | $21,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 9 | Atlanta, GA | $29,081 | $21,000 | 472,522 | 2 |
| 10 | Boston, MA | $46,674 | $31,000 | 673,184 | 6 |
| 11 | Detroit, MI | $26,982 | $18,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 12 | Raleigh, NC | $25,987 | $19,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 13 | Durham, NC | $25,987 | $19,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 14 | Pittsburgh, PA | $25,892 | $18,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 15 | Jersey City, NJ | $36,353 | $24,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 16 | Chicago, IL | $34,774 | $25,000 | 2,704,958 | - |
| 17 | Greensboro, NC | $25,816 | $18,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 18 | Newark, NJ | $36,322 | $24,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 19 | Winston-Salem, NC | $25,745 | $18,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 20 | Albuquerque, NM | $31,153 | $23,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 21 | Milwaukee, WI | $25,359 | $18,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 22 | New Orleans, LA | $25,316 | $19,000 | 391,495 | - |
| 23 | Wichita, KS | $25,184 | $18,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 24 | Charlotte, NC | $25,474 | $18,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 25 | Madison, WI | $25,006 | $17,000 | 252,551 | 2 |
| 26 | Brookhaven, NY | $29,469 | $19,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 27 | San Francisco, CA | $31,584 | $21,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 28 | Miami, FL | $26,426 | $19,000 | 453,579 | - |
| 29 | Hialeah, FL | $26,419 | $19,000 | 236,387 | - |
| 30 | Fort Wayne, IN | $24,877 | $17,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 31 | Islip, NY | $29,278 | $19,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 32 | Oakland, CA | $31,478 | $21,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 33 | Seattle, WA | $29,492 | $20,000 | 704,352 | 2 |
| 34 | Fremont, CA | $31,388 | $21,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 35 | Oyster Bay, NY | $29,223 | $19,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 36 | San Jose, CA | $31,378 | $21,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 37 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $26,315 | $19,000 | 260,999 | - |
| 38 | Jacksonville, FL | $26,315 | $19,000 | 880,619 | - |
| 39 | Indianapolis, IN | $24,248 | $17,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 40 | Tampa, FL | $26,305 | $19,000 | 377,165 | - |
| 41 | Las Vegas, NV | $24,992 | $18,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 42 | Orlando, FL | $26,292 | $19,000 | 277,173 | - |
| 43 | Stockton, CA | $30,984 | $21,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 44 | Sacramento, CA | $30,974 | $21,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 45 | Hempstead, NY | $29,049 | $19,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 46 | New York, NY | $28,939 | $19,000 | 8,537,673 | 10 |
| 47 | Henderson, NV | $24,935 | $18,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 48 | North Las Vegas, NV | $24,932 | $18,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 49 | Glendale, AZ | $25,536 | $18,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 50 | Tucson, AZ | $25,530 | $18,000 | 530,706 | - |
Highest paying cities for student research assistants
| Rank | City | Avg. student research assistant salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairbanks, AK | $51,096 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $46,674 |
| 3 | Champaign, IL | $33,803 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $32,037 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $31,584 |
| 6 | Portland, OR | $31,403 |
| 7 | Syracuse, NY | $29,859 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | $29,492 |
| 9 | Arlington, VA | $28,729 |
| 10 | Salt Lake City, UT | $28,678 |
| 11 | Abington, PA | $28,624 |
| 12 | Detroit, MI | $26,982 |
| 13 | Boulder, CO | $26,562 |
| 14 | Fort Myers, FL | $26,378 |
| 15 | Fayetteville, NC | $25,705 |
| 16 | Lawrence, KS | $25,300 |
| 17 | Madison, WI | $25,006 |
| 18 | Jackson, MS | $23,162 |
| 19 | Austin, TX | $22,482 |
| 20 | Columbus, OH | $21,354 |
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Updated January 8, 2025