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Assistant Research Manager Salary in California

How much does an Assistant Research Manager make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Research Manager in California is $127,942 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $151,109
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $116,648 to $140,069
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $106,365
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Assistant Research Manager Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Assistant Research Manager Salaries

An Assistant Research Manager'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Assistant Research Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Assistant Research Manager'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): $175,889
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $235,280
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $125,416
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $159,204
  • Expert (over 8 years): $194,844
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Research and Development Associate V less than 1 year $175,889
Research and Development Associate VI 1-2 years $235,280
Assistant Research Manager 2-4 years $125,416
Research and Development Manager 5-8 years $159,204
Research and Development Senior Manager over 8 years $194,844

How Do Assistant Research Manager 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 Assistant Research Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $128,430.
  • California: $127,942.
  • Massachusetts: $126,237.

Top Paying Cities for Assistant Research Manager

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:

  • Los Angeles: $128,163
  • West Hollywood: $128,070
  • Dodgertown: $128,162

Assistant Research Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Assistant Research Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Assistant Research Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Assistant Research Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Assistant Research Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $159,928 $77.0 25%
Pharmaceuticals $153,531 $74.0 20%
Financial Services $147,134 $71.0 15%
Internet $143,296 $69.0 12%
Biotechnology $140,737 $68.0 10%

Assistant Research Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Assistant Research Manager'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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$116,648
Average $127,942/year
$140,069
$9,721
Average $10,662/month
$11,672
$2,243
Average $2,460/week
$2,694
$56
Average $62/hour
$67
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $140,069 $11,672 $2,694 $67
Average $127,942 $10,662 $2,460 $62
25th Percentile $116,648 $9,721 $2,243 $56

Find Your Next Assistant Research Manager Job

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

  • Flourish Research | Walnut Creek, CA

    Research Assistant

    Flourish Research | Walnut Creek, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. About Us. Flourish Research is where clinical trials thrive. Flourish Research is one of the industry’s most progressive ... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Flourish Research | Murrieta, CA

    Research Assistant

    Flourish Research | Murrieta, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Valkyrie Clinical Trials (VCT). a Flourish Research Company, is a leading Oncology multi-site clinical research network w... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Donor Network West | Fresno, CA

    Research Assistant

    Donor Network West | Fresno, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Donor Network West’s. mission is to save and heal lives through organ and tissue donation for transplantation and researc... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Micro Paradox | Pleasant Grove, CA

    Research Assistant

    Micro Paradox | Pleasant Grove, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Micro Paradox is seeking a detail-oriented Research Assistant to work directly alongside our Research Director. This role... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Flourish Research | Los Angeles, CA

    Research Assistant

    Flourish Research | Los Angeles, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Valkyrie Clinical Trials (VCT), a Flourish Research Company, is a leading Oncology multi-site clinical research network w... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Flourish Research | Covina, CA

    Research Assistant

    Flourish Research | Covina, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. About Us. Flourish Research is where clinical trials thrive. Flourish Research is one of the industry’s most progressive ... more

    10 Days Ago

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Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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