ESG Research Associate Salary in the United States

How much does an ESG Research Associate make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an ESG Research Associate in the United States is $62,778 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $81,614
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $54,467 to $72,637
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $46,900

Key Factors That Influence ESG Research Associate Salaries

An ESG Research 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 ESG Research Associate Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an ESG Research 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): $93,832
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $60,724
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $70,261
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $99,794
  • Expert (over 8 years): $107,794
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Staff Nurse - RN - Research less than 1 year $93,832
ESG Research Associate 1-2 years $60,724
Clinical Research Associate II 2-4 years $70,261
Scientist - Clinical Research 5-8 years $99,794
Clinical Research Manager over 8 years $107,794

Top Paying Cities for ESG Research 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: $79,182
  • San Francisco: $78,315
  • Oakland: $76,665

ESG Research Associate Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For ESG Research Associate roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, ESG Research Associate positions in Pharmaceuticals or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view ESG Research Associate as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an ESG Research Associate

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare $75,334 $36.0 20%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit $69,056 $33.0 10%

How Education impacts an ESG Research Associate's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many ESG Research Associate professionals enter the field with a Bachelor'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 ESG Research Associate with a Bachelor's is between $64,284 and $68,801.

ESG Research Associate Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for ESG Research Associate
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.3%
High School 2.7%
Associate's Degree 1.9%
Bachelor's Degree 61.9%
Master's Degree or MBA 26.5%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 6.6%

ESG Research Associate Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an ESG Research 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
$54,467
Average $62,778/year
$72,637
$4,539
Average $5,232/month
$6,053
$1,047
Average $1,207/week
$1,397
$26
Average $30/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $72,637 $6,053 $1,397 $35
Average $62,778 $5,232 $1,207 $30
25th Percentile $54,467 $4,539 $1,047 $26

Most common benefits for ESG Research Associate

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

Common company salaries for ESG Research Associate

Here are companies hiring for ESG Research Associate and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next ESG Research Associate Job

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

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    4 Days Ago

  • CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    A Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Next Phase of Growth. CyLogic is seeking an experienced revenue leader to oversee Sales and Marketing, strengthen go-... more

    5 Days Ago

  • ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue is partnering with a well-established and growing organization in Ashburn, VA to identify a Staff Accountant to join its corporate accounting ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    About the Opportunity. ACG Systems is a mission-critical communications platform. Through Morcom, an ACG Systems company, we design, deploy, and support wi... more

    5 Days Ago

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FAQ about ESG Research Associate

1. What industry pays the highest salary for ESG Research Associate?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for ESG Research Associate roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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