Psychology Research Assistant Salary: What You’ll Make and Why
Psychology research assistants make around $30,075 to $57,718 on average in the US, depending on experience, location, skills, and other factors.
According to various salary aggregate websites, a psychology research assistant’s salary in the US ranges between $30,075 and $57,718, with an average salary of $44,143. As of July 2022, the base salaries for psychology research assistants are listed as follows:
| Payscale | ZipRecruiter | Indeed | Salary.com | Glassdoor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $52,929 | $39,993 | $30,075 | $57,718 |
Keep in mind: Salary aggregate websites typically rely on data submitted anonymously by individuals using their site. Some websites may have received larger amounts of data of either higher or lower than average salaries, which may affect the site’s calculated average.
Read more: What Is a Psychology Research Assistant? How to Become One
What influences a salary?
The salary of a Psychology Research Assistant is determined by a number of factors, including education, experience, and job location. In this article, we will take a closer look at how these factors impact salary.
Years of experience
Salary increases are generally tied to your experience level. In general, the more years you spend working as a psychology research assistant, the more you can expect to earn. Here’s how experience can impact your psychology research assistant salary, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Compensation Survey.
| Level of experience | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry-level (less than 1 year) | $28,714 |
| Early career (1 to 4 years) | $34,998 |
| Mid career (5 to 9 years) | $42,765 |
| Experienced (10 to 19 years) | $51,445 |
| Late career (20+ years) | $66,989 |
Location
Where you live can also impact how much you can make as a psychology research assistant. Typically, working in a large metropolitan area correlates to a higher salary, as well as a higher cost of living.
Here is a list of some major cities with their corresponding average psychology research assistant salary according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| City | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Boston, MA | $54,964 |
| Washington DC, DC | $54,429 |
| Chicago, IL | $48,635 |
| Denver, CO | $46,154 |
| San Francisco, CA | $45,882 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $36,478 |
| Columbus, OH | $35,951 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $34,113 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $32,308 |
| Houston, TX | $31,121 |
How does this compare to similar jobs?
Here’s how a psychology research assistant’s salary stacks up against similar jobs.
| Related Jobs | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Research Assistant | $43,112 |
| Laboratory Technician | $38,593 |
| Statistician | $97,643 |
| Clinical Research Coordinator | $50,604 |
| Research Associate | $50,042 |
| Research Assistant | $42,811 |
| Clinical Research Associate | $78,550 |
| Market Research Analyst | $63,344 |
| Data Analyst | $67,294 |
How to increase your psychology research assistant salary
Now that you have a better idea of what you could expect to earn as a psychology research assistant, let’s look at ways to boost your salary.
1. Strengthen your skills
Pursuing and improving in-demand skills could make you more competitive for promotions and higher-paying positions. These skills include:
- Data Collection: Collect data using various methods, such as surveys, interviews, and observations
- Data Analysis: Use statistical software to analyze data and look for patterns and trends
- Literature Review: Research and write about current psychological theories and studies
- Research Design: Develop research proposals and study designs
- Ethical Conduct: Understand and follow ethical guidelines for conducting psychological research
2. Get a good performance review
A great way to increase your salary is to get a good performance review. If your boss is happy with your work, he or she may be more likely to give you a raise. Be sure to document your successes, and be prepared to discuss them in your review.
3. Maintain a consistent performance
If you’re a psychology research assistant who consistently produces high-quality work, you’re likely to be in high demand. Maintaining a good relationship with your supervisor and being proactive about your career can help you secure a raise when the time is right.
Article Sources
1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “National Compensation Survey, https://www.bls.gov/ncs/.” Accessed July 2, 2022.
2. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wages, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes194061.htm.” Accessed July 2, 2022.
3. Payscale. “Psychology Assistant Salary, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Psychology_Assistant/Salary.” Accessed July 2, 2022.
4. Ziprecruiter. “Psychology Research Assistant Annual Salary, https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Psychology-Research-Assistant-Salary.” Accessed July 2, 2022.
5. Indeed. “Indeed Salary Finder, https://www.indeed.com/career/salaries.” Accessed July 2, 2022.
6. Salary.com. “Psychology Research Assistant Salary, https://www.salary.com/research/salary/posting/psychology-research-assistant-salary.” Accessed July 2, 2022.
7. Glassdoor. “Psychology Research Assistant Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/psychology-research-assistant-salary-SRCH_KO0,29.htm.” Accessed July 2, 2022.