How much does a Research Assistant make?

The average salary for a Research Assistant is $39,281 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 54482 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Research Assistant employees in United States.

The highest salary for a Research Assistant in United States is $51,696 per year.

The lowest salary for a Research Assistant in United States is $29,934 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Research Assistant or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Research Assistant.

Working as a research assistant allows one to perform intellectually stimulating and impactful work while gaining valuable experience. The job stability and pay of a research assistant generally lags that senior researchers and professors, and funding is often dependent on grant renewal, but opportunities are more accessible to earlier career researchers. Since grants are typically most plentiful in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations, research assistant with expertise in subjects such as biology, physics, chemistry, computer science, engineering and statistics can typically expect the highest pay.

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Anonymous Glassdoor data reveals that around 70% of research assistants are happy with the amount they make. If you want to make good money, a graduate degree and a few years of work experience will help provide a higher cap on your earning potential.

Research assistant salaries vary, typically ranging between $23,446.92 and $66,045.34, with an average of $37,051.89. After bonuses, research assistants make about $39,280.42. However, your research assistant salary will depend on your skills, experience, and whether you follow a typical career path. With two to four years of experience as a research assistant, you may want to apply for senior research assistant roles.

If you want to make more money as a research assistant, there are a few things you can do to qualify for high-paying positions. Make sure that you have a bachelor's degree in a subject related to your chosen role, whether that's biology or history. Spend time on skills such as typing, academic writing, Microsoft Excel, and data collection and analysis. Soft skills that you should emphasize in your applications include the ability to work in teams, meet deadlines, and manage your schedule. Consider networking with academics or research assistants and tracking developments in your chosen field.

Do you feel like you deserve a higher salary as a research assistant? Whether you're just applying for research assistant jobs or want a better salary in your current role, here's how to negotiate. Make a list of all the skills, experiences, and qualifications that you feel qualify you for a higher salary. In the negotiation, discuss your qualifications, and explain why you think you bring more to the role than the average candidate. In deciding what to ask for, research some job listings to determine what type of figure to ask for and stick to your chosen number when negotiating.

About 70.05% of Research Assistant professionals feel satisfied with their salary, according to anonymous Glassdoor ratings. An additional $2,229 in potential pay per year, among other factors, can qualify the annual pay of a Research Assistant in United States as a good salary.

Research Assistant professionals in United States have a wide total pay range, between $23,447 and $66,045 depending on experience, with an estimated total pay of $39,280 following the average career path of a Research Assistant.