What is the average Research Assistant salary for San Diego, CA?
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As of June 01, 2026, the average Research Assistant salary in San Diego, CA is $201,446. The chart below represents localized salaries for some of our most popular Research Assistant job titles in San Diego, CA. Salaries can vary greatly depending on numerous factors, including position, location, years of experience, and level of education. Salary.com’s team of Certified Compensation Professionals analyzed survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at companies of all sizes and industries to compile a range of salaries for various Research Assistant job titles in San Diego, CA. Apply your personal criteria to one of the job titles below to get your personalized salary estimate.
Research Assistant Salaries in San Diego, CA
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Associate Institutional Research Director | $96,448 | $46.37 | San Diego, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Research and Development Engineer | $136,879 | $65.81 | San Diego, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Research and Development Manager | $174,982 | $84.13 | San Diego, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Research and Development Director | $258,785 | $124.42 | San Diego, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Research and Development Senior Manager | $214,052 | $102.91 | San Diego, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| VP of Research & Development | $297,002 | $142.79 | San Diego, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Laboratory Assistant II | $89,796 | $43.17 | San Diego, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Laboratory Assistant I | $70,369 | $33.83 | San Diego, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Laboratory Assistant III | $108,565 | $52.19 | San Diego, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Laboratory Assistant IV | $146,727 | $70.54 | San Diego, CA | June 01, 2026 |
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Assists in directing and overseeing institutional research for a university or college. Designs and leads institutional research studies evaluating the effectiveness of the organization's programs and policies. Manages data collection and analysis and oversees the creation of research reports. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. Associate Institutional Research Director Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Assistant Director of Academic Research, Assistant Director of Collegiate Research, Assistant Director of Institutional Research, Assistant Director of University Research, Associate Institutional Research Director
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Conducts research and development activities for an organization. Applies research theories, principles, and models when conducting experiments and research activities. Summarizes research results and communicates findings to internal and external bodies. Assesses the scope of research projects and ensures projects are on time and within budget. Develops technical documentation for all projects. May require an advanced degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. Research and Development Engineer Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:R & D Engineer, Senior Research & Development (R&D) Engineer, Research and Development EngineerCategory : Science and Research
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Manages the research and development programs to meet organizational needs and capitalize on potential new products. Implements research and development procedures and techniques to ensure consistent methods, documentation, and testing. Assesses the scope of research projects and ensures they are on time and within budget. Oversees complex research projects, analyzes results, and provides recommendations based on findings. May require a master's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes. Research and Development Manager Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Product Research and Development Manager, R & D Manager, Research and Development ManagerCategory : Science and Research
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Directs an organization's research and development policies, objectives, and initiatives. Develops research and development procedures and techniques to ensure consistent methods, documentation, and testing. Determines the scope of research projects and allocates resources to ensure they are on time and within budget. Monitors prototype testing to ensure quality, safety, and compliance and provides technical oversight to improve outcomes. Ensures research and development activities will maintain an organization's competitive position and profitability. Presents research findings, outcomes, and recommendations to senior management teams. Typically requires an advanced degree. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. Research and Development Director Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Product Research and Development Director, R & D Director, Research and Development Director
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Manages the research and development programs to meet organizational needs and capitalize on potential new products. Implements research and development procedures and techniques to ensure consistent methods, documentation, and testing. Assesses the scope of research projects and ensures they are on time and within budget. Oversees complex research projects, analyzes results, and provides recommendations based on findings. May require a master's degree. Typically reports to a director. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. Research and Development Senior Manager Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Product Research and Development Senior Manager, R & D Senior Manager, Research and Development Senior ManagerCategory : Science and Research
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Plans and oversees an organization's research and development policies, objectives, and initiatives. Leads research efforts to identify new technologies and other scientific concepts that can be used to improve current product offerings or create new products and services. Evaluates and recommends ideas for new products that may enhance the organization's competitive position and achieve growth in revenue and/or market share. Identifies and evaluates new technologies that improve and expand the organization's capabilities, processes, or products. May require a master's degree. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental function within a broader corporate function. Develops major goals to support broad functional objectives. Approves policies developed within various sub-functions and departments. Typically requires 8+ years of managerial experience. Comprehensive knowledge of the overall departmental function. VP of Research & Development Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:VP of Product Research & Development, VP of R & D, VP of Research, Development, and Innovation, VP of Research & Development
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Performs research activities in a laboratory environment to aid in the planning, designing, and conducting of experiments. Collects, prepares, and tests samples and records measurements or observations. Prepares reports detailing results and conclusions, applications, and methodology. Conducts routine maintenance and safety checks on lab equipment to ensure working order. Assists with receipt and inspection of raw materials and the ordering and stocking of materials and equipment. May be responsible for cleaning, disinfecting, and maintaining cleanrooms and equipment. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. Laboratory Assistant II Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Intermediate Laboratory Assistant, Laboratory Technician II, Laboratory Assistant II
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Performs research activities in a laboratory environment to aid in the planning, designing, and conducting of experiments. Collects, prepares, and tests samples and records measurements or observations. Prepares reports detailing results and conclusions, applications, and methodology. Conducts routine maintenance and safety checks on lab equipment to ensure working order. Assists with receipt and inspection of raw materials and the ordering and stocking of materials and equipment. May be responsible for cleaning, disinfecting, and maintaining cleanrooms and equipment. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Laboratory Assistant I Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Entry Laboratory Assistant, Laboratory Technician I, Laboratory Assistant ICategory : Science and Research
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Performs research activities in a laboratory environment to aid in the planning, designing, and conducting of experiments. Collects, prepares, and tests samples and records measurements or observations. Prepares reports detailing results and conclusions, applications, and methodology. Conducts routine maintenance and safety checks on lab equipment to ensure working order. Assists with receipt and inspection of raw materials and the ordering and stocking of materials and equipment. May be responsible for cleaning, disinfecting, and maintaining cleanrooms and equipment. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. Laboratory Assistant III Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Laboratory Technician III, Senior Laboratory Assistant, Laboratory Assistant IIICategory : Science and Research
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Performs research activities in a laboratory environment to aid in the planning, designing, and conducting of experiments. Collects, prepares, and tests samples and records measurements or observations. Prepares reports detailing results and conclusions, applications, and methodology. Conducts routine maintenance and safety checks on lab equipment to ensure working order. Assists with receipt and inspection of raw materials and the ordering and stocking of materials and equipment. May be responsible for cleaning, disinfecting, and maintaining cleanrooms and equipment. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience. Laboratory Assistant IV Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Expert Laboratory Assistant, Laboratory Technician IV, Laboratory Assistant IV