Research Assistant Salary in Canada
Research Assistant Salary Range
$47,600
$63,520
Low Range
High Range
Midpoint
This salary range represents a national benchmark in CAD. Regional salary adjustment factors can be applied below to estimate how compensation may shift by province or territory.
Salary benchmarks are based on a mix of TQR internal data and external market research for specialized manufacturing and technical roles in Canada.
Research Assistant salaries in the Life Sciences Manufacturing industry typically range from $47,600 to $63,520, with a midpoint of approximately $53,170. Compensation varies based on laboratory experience, scientific discipline, technical skills, regulatory knowledge, product development support, organizational complexity, and overall research responsibilities.
What the Salary Percentiles Mean
The following range has been generated based on real salary data across North America.
$47,600
$63,520
$47,600
25th percentile
Employees in this section often have a lower level of experience or skills and
are still growing into their role. This role may also be at a small to medium-sized business.
$53,170
50th percentile
Employees in this section typically demonstrate the required level of experience plus many skills that are deemed an asset. This role is likely at a medium-sized business.
$63,520
75th percentile
Employees in this section typically demonstrate a higher-level of expertise and/or enhanced qualifications. They should also have a proven track record and cultural fit. This role is likely at a larger business.
Regional Salary Adjustments
Salary ranges can vary by region based on cost of living, labor competition, industry concentration, and talent availability. The map below shows regional adjustment factors that can be applied to the national salary benchmark as a directional guide.
Factors That Affect a Research Assistant's Salary
Research Assistant compensation can vary based on laboratory specialization, technical skills, research experience, product development responsibilities, regulatory knowledge, company size, location, and overall laboratory support responsibilities. Employers may need to adjust compensation when the position supports advanced laboratory technologies, regulated manufacturing environments, complex research programs, or multidisciplinary product development initiatives.
Research Assistant Job Description:
A Research Assistant is responsible for supporting laboratory research, scientific studies, and product development activities within a Life Sciences manufacturing environment. This role helps advance pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, diagnostic, and related products by assisting with laboratory experiments, preparing samples, collecting scientific data, maintaining laboratory documentation, and supporting research programs while ensuring regulatory compliance and product quality.
Research Assistants often assist with laboratory testing, sample preparation, reagent preparation, equipment setup, data collection, laboratory documentation, inventory management, and equipment maintenance while working closely with Scientists, Research Associates, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing, Clinical, Engineering, and R&D teams. Their work may include supporting method development, validation, technology transfer, laboratory investigations, regulatory documentation, and maintaining laboratory readiness within highly regulated manufacturing environments.
Research Assistants are expected to understand how laboratory activities directly support scientific research, product quality, manufacturing performance, regulatory compliance, patient safety, and overall business success. Strong candidates typically combine laboratory skills, attention to detail, organizational ability, analytical thinking, communication skills, and a willingness to learn while supporting innovation and operational excellence within Life Sciences manufacturing environments.
Common Responsibilities:
Assisting with laboratory experiments, scientific testing, and research activities supporting pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, diagnostic, and related Life Sciences product development programs.
Preparing samples, reagents, laboratory materials, and testing equipment while collecting, organizing, recording, and analyzing experimental data in accordance with approved protocols and study plans.
Supporting product development, method development, validation, technology transfer, and laboratory projects while ensuring compliance with GLP, GMP, GCP (where applicable), FDA, ISO, and company quality standards.
Collaborating with Scientists, Research Associates, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing, Clinical, Engineering, and R&D teams to support research objectives, laboratory operations, and cross-functional project activities.
Maintaining laboratory notebooks, SOPs, technical documentation, scientific records, and data integrity in accordance with Good Documentation Practices (GDP) and applicable regulatory requirements.
Operating, cleaning, calibrating, and maintaining laboratory equipment while supporting laboratory investigations, inventory management, procurement activities, continuous improvement initiatives, and safe laboratory operations.
Supporting internal audits, regulatory inspections, scientific documentation, and laboratory compliance activities while ensuring product quality, regulatory readiness, and operational excellence.
Explore Current Openings
TQR recruits for specialized roles across industrial automation, manufacturing, packaging, food production, life sciences, and related technical markets. Current openings may include engineering, operations, maintenance, quality, supply chain, and plant leadership roles.
View current opportunities or submit your resume to be considered for future roles that match your background.
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