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ESG Research Associate Salary in California

How much does an ESG Research Associate make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an ESG Research Associate in California is $69,245 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $90,020
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $60,077 to $80,119
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,731
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out ESG Research Associate Job Openings in California

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 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): $103,496
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $66,979
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $77,498
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $110,073
  • Expert (over 8 years): $118,897
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Staff Nurse - RN - Research less than 1 year $103,496
ESG Research Associate 1-2 years $66,979
Clinical Research Associate II 2-4 years $77,498
Scientist - Clinical Research 5-8 years $110,073
Clinical Research Manager over 8 years $118,897

How Do ESG Research Associate 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 ESG Research Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $69,508.
  • California: $69,245.
  • Massachusetts: $68,322.

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:

  • Los Angeles: $69,364
  • West Hollywood: $69,314
  • Dodgertown: $69,363

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 $83,093 $40.0 20%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit $76,169 $37.0 10%

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$60,077
Average $69,245/year
$80,119
$5,006
Average $5,770/month
$6,677
$1,155
Average $1,332/week
$1,541
$29
Average $33/hour
$39
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $80,119 $6,677 $1,541 $39
Average $69,245 $5,770 $1,332 $33
25th Percentile $60,077 $5,006 $1,155 $29

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.

  • AccuScan Sciences | Milpitas, CA

    Research Associate

    AccuScan Sciences | Milpitas, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. AccuScan Sciences is seeking a dedicated Research Associate to join our innovative team. In this role, you will support v... more

    9 Days Ago

  • CRESCENTA BIOSCIENCES INC. | Irvine, CA

    Research Associate

    CRESCENTA BIOSCIENCES INC. | Irvine, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. About the Company. Crescenta is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing novel therapies for metabolic and autoimm... more

    9 Days Ago

  • PBS Biotech | Camarillo, CA

    Research Associate

    PBS Biotech | Camarillo, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Join PBS Biotech and Help Shape the Future of Cell Therapy. Location. Camarillo, California. Where Innovation Meets Purpo... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Stratevi | Santa Monica, CA

    Research Associate

    Stratevi | Santa Monica, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Stratevi Job Opening.  . Research Associate . Who We Are .  . As the name 'Stratevi' suggests, we seamlessly combine Stra... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Nourish | San Diego, CA

    Research Associate

    Nourish | San Diego, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. About Us. Our mission is to improve people's health by making it easy to live a healthy lifestyle. Nourish was founded to... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Nourish | San Francisco, CA

    Research Associate

    Nourish | San Francisco, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. About Us. Our mission is to improve people's health by making it easy to live a healthy lifestyle. Nourish was founded to... more

    10 Days Ago

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