Junior Research Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does a Junior Research Assistant make in the United States?

As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for a Junior Research Assistant in the United States is $45,264 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

However, a Junior Research Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $57,754
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $39,340 to $51,802
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $33,947
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View as table View as graph 25% $39,340 10% $33,947 90% $57,754 75% $51,802 $45,264 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Junior Research Assistant Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $51,802 $4,317 $996 $25
Average $45,264 $3,772 $870 $22
25th Percentile $39,340 $3,278 $757 $19
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Key Factors That Influence Junior Research Assistant Salaries

A Junior Research Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Junior Research Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Junior Research Assistant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $39,815
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $45,495
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $63,988
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $71,270
  • Expert (over 8 years): $103,807
Levels Salary
Document ... Level Junior Research Assistant$39,815
Junior Re... Level Junior Research Assistant$45,495
Document ... Level Junior Research Assistant$63,988
Document ... Level Junior Research Assistant$71,270
Document ... Level Junior Research Assistant$103,807
$39,815 0 yr
$45,495 < 2 yrs
$63,988 2-4 yrs
$71,270 5-8 yrs
$103,807 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Junior Research Assistant Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Junior Research Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $50,116.
  • California: $49,926.
  • Massachusetts: $49,260.

Top Paying Cities for Junior Research Assistants

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $57,091
  • San Francisco: $56,530
  • Oakland: $55,276

What Skills Can Increase a Junior Research Assistant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 8.19% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Accounting (Mentioned in 2.55% Job Postings): Creating financial statements and reports based on the summary of financial and business transactions.
  • Business Administration (Mentioned in 1.52% Job Postings): It is the management of all aspects of a business's performance, decisions, and organization. It includes the day to day operations, aspects including finances and human resources, and ensures the company stays aligned to the goal or mission.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 8.19%
Accounting 2.55%
Business Administration 1.52%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Junior Research Assistant's salary.
  • Communication Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Microsoft Office: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Organizational Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Communication Skills
$47,979
6%
Microsoft Office
$47,527
5%
Organizational Skills
$46,169
2%
Initiative
$46,169
2%
Written Communication
$45,716
1%
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How Education impacts a Junior Research Assistant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Junior Research Assistants enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Junior Research Assistant with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $51,061 and $55,075).

Junior Research Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Junior Research Assistant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 40.0%
High School 40.0%
Associates 40.0%
Bachelors 20.0%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Junior Research Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Junior Research Assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 18, 2021

Salary Trends for Junior Research Assistant

Salaries for a Junior Research Assistant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $42,912 in 2023 to around $42,625 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Junior Research Assistant salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Junior Research Assistant Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$42,912
2024
$42,811
2025
$42,625
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $42,912
2024 $42,811
2025 $42,625
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Junior Research Assistant

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Junior Research Assistant

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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