Research Associate Salary in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average Research Associate salary lies between USD 54,000 and USD 92,700 in the United States. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

Region represents the primary country of residence of an employee during the year (or residence for tax purposes). All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Dec. 22, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Research Associate roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Research Associate job listings are Research, Python and Machine Learning. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Research | 295 jobs Python | 221 jobs Machine Learning | 186 jobs Engineering | 154 jobs PhD | 138 jobs Computer Science | 127 jobs R | 117 jobs Statistics | 117 jobs Security | 77 jobs Data analysis | 72 jobs Mathematics | 68 jobs Physics | 64 jobs Deep Learning | 61 jobs Banking | 52 jobs Biology | 49 jobs PyTorch | 48 jobs Testing | 48 jobs Matlab | 46 jobs Teaching | 42 jobs Athena | 38 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Research Associate roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Research Associate job listings are Career development, Health care and Competitive pay. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 200 jobs Health care | 124 jobs Competitive pay | 115 jobs Flex hours | 112 jobs Conferences | 91 jobs Team events | 74 jobs Insurance | 66 jobs Medical leave | 59 jobs Flex vacation | 58 jobs Wellness | 58 jobs Parental leave | 54 jobs Relocation support | 50 jobs Equity / stock options | 48 jobs Fitness / gym | 44 jobs Startup environment | 41 jobs Flexible spending account | 40 jobs 401(k) matching | 11 jobs Salary bonus | 6 jobs Transparency | 5 jobs Home office stipend | 5 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Research Associate in AI/ML/Data Science typically consists of a base salary, which is the fixed component, and may include bonuses and additional remuneration. The composition can vary significantly based on several factors:

• Region: Salaries in tech hubs like Silicon Valley, New York, or Seattle tend to be higher due to the cost of living and demand for talent. In these areas, bonuses and stock options might also be more prevalent.
• Industry: Industries such as finance, healthcare, and technology often offer higher salaries and bonuses compared to academia or non-profit sectors.
• Company Size: Larger companies may offer more comprehensive compensation packages, including bonuses, stock options, and other benefits, whereas smaller startups might offer equity as part of the compensation.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from a Research Associate position, consider the following steps:

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously update your skills in emerging AI/ML technologies and tools. Specializing in high-demand areas like deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision can make you more valuable.
• Advanced Education: Pursuing a master's or Ph.D. in a relevant field can open up higher-paying opportunities and leadership roles.
• Networking: Engage with professional networks and attend industry conferences to connect with potential employers and learn about new opportunities.
• Performance and Negotiation: Demonstrating exceptional performance and negotiating during performance reviews can lead to salary increases.

Educational Requirements

Most Research Associate positions in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as computer science, data science, mathematics, or engineering. However, many employers prefer candidates with a master's degree or Ph.D., especially for research-intensive roles.

Helpful Certifications

While not always required, certain certifications can enhance your profile:

• Certified Data Scientist (CDS)
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate

These certifications demonstrate proficiency in specific tools and platforms, which can be advantageous in the job market.

Experience Requirements

Typically, employers look for candidates with 1-3 years of experience in data analysis, machine learning, or a related field. Experience can be gained through internships, research projects, or previous employment. For more advanced roles, 3-5 years of experience may be required.

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