Academic Department Associate Salary in the United States

How much does an Academic Department Associate make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Academic Department Associate in the United States is $160,037 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $77.

However, an Academic Department Associate's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $172,493
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $151,138 to $166,557
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $143,036

Key Factors That Influence Academic Department Associate Salaries

An Academic Department Associate'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 Academic Department Associate Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Academic Department Associate'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): $98,548
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $129,958
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $158,678
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $212,257
  • Expert (over 8 years): $113,144
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Research and Development Associate III less than 1 year $98,548
Research and Development Associate IV 1-2 years $129,958
Academic Department Associate 2-4 years $158,678
Research and Development Associate VI 5-8 years $212,257
Research and Development Supervisor over 8 years $113,144

Top Paying Cities for Academic Department Associate

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: $201,855
  • San Francisco: $199,645
  • Oakland: $195,437

Academic Department Associate Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Academic Department Associate roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Academic Department Associate positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Academic Department Associate as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Academic Department Associate

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals $200,046 $96.0 25%
Energy & Utilities $192,044 $92.0 20%
Insurance $184,043 $88.0 15%
Aerospace & Defense $176,041 $85.0 10%
Financial Services $176,041 $85.0 10%

How Education impacts an Academic Department Associate's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Academic Department Associate professionals enter the field with a Master's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Academic Department Associate with a Master's is between $149,105 and $159,258.

Academic Department Associate Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Academic Department Associate
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 1.2%
High School 1.2%
Associate's Degree 1.8%
Bachelor's Degree 15.5%
Master's Degree or MBA 28.6%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 53%

Academic Department Associate Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Academic Department Associate'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$151,138
Average $160,037/year
$166,557
$12,595
Average $13,336/month
$13,880
$2,907
Average $3,078/week
$3,203
$73
Average $77/hour
$80
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $166,557 $13,880 $3,203 $80
Average $160,037 $13,336 $3,078 $77
25th Percentile $151,138 $12,595 $2,907 $73

Most common benefits for Academic Department Associate

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Academic Department Associate

Here are companies hiring for Academic Department Associate and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Academic Department Associate Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Academic Department Associate job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    Find your next job here. Will train the right candidate. Average salaries from $12 - $22/Hr, full time and part time shifts available now. Hiring for: Chip... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Accenture | Columbus, OH

    Accenture | Columbus, OH

    Who we are. Accenture helps the world's leading enterprises reinvent by building their digital core and unleashing the power of AI to create value at speed... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Suitsupply | Columbus, OH

    Suitsupply | Columbus, OH

    As a Sales Supervisor, you are an independent professional, with a high level of responsibility and identifying and solving problems is something that come... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Actalent | Columbus, OH

    Actalent | Columbus, OH

    Group Manager, Substation Engineering 100% Remote | Lead High-Impact Grid Modernization Projects | Build and Mentor Elite Engineering Teams Ready to Lead t... more

    8 Days Ago

  • MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    Find your next job here. Will train the right candidate. Average salaries from $20 - $37/Hr, full time and part time shifts available now. Hiring for: Anim... more

    17 Days Ago

  • C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    19 Days Ago

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FAQ about Academic Department Associate

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Academic Department Associate?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Academic Department Associate roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

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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