How Much Do Research Associates Make?
Having a clear understanding of earnings potential is important, especially if you are researching career paths or considering changing jobs. If you're one of those people, and you're curious what kind of salary research associates make, you've come to the right place.
Using data from Lightcast,™ the Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has compiled rich information about salary for research associates and related jobs, including details about average compensation, salary trends and job growth. We've also gathered advertised salaries from actual job postings to provide insight into what employers of research associates are offering as compensation.
Keep reading to learn more about how much research associates can expect to make in the United States.
At a Glance: Salary & Jobs for Research Associates
According to data from 2022, there were about 109,835 positions for research associates in the United States. In terms of salary, the national median salary for research associates was reported to be $85,717. Additionally, when examining job demand, employers across the country posted 134,029 job postings related to positions for research associates.
How Much Money Do Research Associates Make?
Median salary is just one data point. To build a better understanding of how much money research associates and related positions can expect to make in the United States, it can be helpful to look at the full range of compensation for those jobs.
Let's look more deeply at data that was reported to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for detail into the lowest and highest salary earnings for research associates.
Annual Salary for Research Associates
According to the BLS, the lowest earners for research associates and related professions earned about $50,440 per year in 2022. Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, the highest earners made about $149,635 annually.
As mentioned previously, the median salary for research associates in the United States in 2022 was $85,717.
Annual Salary Range For Research Associates In 2022
Hourly Salary for Research Associates
The BLS also breaks down compensation for research associates by hourly salary, and the median average hourly pay for research associates in 2022 was $41. Lowest hourly earners took home $24 while the highest reported hourly salaries for research associates was $72.
Hourly Salary Range For Research Associates In 2022
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Research Associates
With an associate of science in business administration degree, you’ll dig into the functional areas of business and learn how to connect each function with the others to advance business goals and further outcomes while you prepare for a variety of roles in operations, sales, management and coordination.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Build a strong foundation of real-world business knowledge suitable for a variety of career options in your industry of choice.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Bridge the gap between business and technology and develop the interpersonal skills to become an IT liaison in your organization.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Harness the power of data by creating data-driven strategies and communicating data insights with a B.S. Information Systems-Analytics Focus.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Develop your ability to lead, communicate and make strategic decisions that impact projects and processes with a B.S. Information Systems-Business Analysis & Project Management Focus
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Build technical savvy and business acumen that bridges the gap between business and technology with a B.S. Information Systems with a Business Information Systems focus.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Get the knowledge to manage healthcare data, navigate regulations and inform ethical decision-making with a B.S. Information Systems-Healthcare Information Systems Focus
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 12
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 19
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Get theory-to-practice knowledge in data management, data visualization and data-informed decision making to improve efficiency and effectiveness in all areas of business with Franklin’s online accredited MBA with a Specialization in Business Analytics.
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Prepare to improve operations in any industry by building your knowledge in Lean Six Sigma methodologies, supply chain management and Total Quality Management with the help of Franklin’s online accredited MBA with a Specialization in Operational Excellence.
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Develop into a well-rounded, adaptive and strategic business leader with a comprehensive mindset.
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Advertised Compensation for Research Associates
Data from the BLS is one way to dig into compensation for research associates, but another way to build a more real-time understanding of salary is to look at actual job postings and see what compensation organizations are currently providing to fill open positions for research associates.
Keep in mind that salary data is not included in every job posting, so the information compiled here is reflective of the data available through Lightcast.™
Annual Salary from Job Postings for Research Associates
Advertised Annual Salary
During a review of 226,769 job postings related to research associates, advertised salary was included in 41,985 of them, which was 19%. Based on those postings, the median advertised salary for research associates was $75,136 per year.
Hourly Salary from Job Postings for Research Associates
Advertised Hourly Salary
A similar analysis of job postings provides insight into advertised hourly salary for research associates. Based on 31% of postings with advertised compensation, the median hourly salary for open positions for research associates in the United States is about $36.
Salary Trend for Research Associates
If you're thinking about pursuing a career in the field, you may want to understand how compensation has changed over time for research associates. The chart below provides a snapshot of advertised salaries over the past three years.
Based on compensation data that was included in job postings for research associates dating back to September 2019, advertised salaries for research associates have increased 21%.
Advertised Wage Trend For Research Associates
What's the Job Growth for Research Associates?
Another data point that someone thinking about a career path should consider is whether or not jobs are expected to see growth in the future. The chart below looks at projected employment for research associates over the next 10 years.
According to the data obtained through Lightcast,™ there were 110,147 jobs for research associates in the United States in 2022. By 2032, it is expected that about 28,966 jobs will be added. That's a 26.3% increase over the next 10-year period.
Employment Projections For Research Associates
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about research associates? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for research associates.
What do research associates do?
Research Associates: How do you become one?
All Occupations
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has compiled data for dozens of in-demand jobs. Explore our full catalog of occupation data by visiting the link below.