Research Investigator 4 pay range
State of Washington · class code 502H
- Class code
- 502H
- Salary range
- 70
- Pay unit
- Year
- State
- Washington
- The State of Washington published pay range for Research Investigator 4 is $91,104 to $122,448 per year.
- Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) keys this classification as class code 502H.
- This is the range the plan authorises, not the salary of any individual employee.
Step progression
Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) assigns this class to salary range 70 in the General Service Salary Schedule. The range pays 13 steps; a step is normally earned on a periodic increment date, not negotiated.
| Basis | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $91,104 | $93,288 | $95,676 | $98,064 | $100,488 | $102,996 | $105,612 | $108,228 | $110,952 | $113,736 | $116,544 | $119,460 | $122,448 |
| Monthly | $7,592 | $7,774 | $7,973 | $8,172 | $8,374 | $8,583 | $8,801 | $9,019 | $9,246 | $9,478 | $9,712 | $9,955 | $10,204 |
| Hourly | $43.63 | $44.68 | $45.82 | $46.97 | $48.13 | $49.33 | $50.58 | $51.83 | $53.14 | $54.47 | $55.82 | $57.21 | $58.64 |
Steps as published. The monthly and hourly rows are the state's own, not conversions of the annual row.
Class specification
The OFM classified job specification for this class is published by Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM). The passages below are quoted from it as published, not paraphrased, and cut to their opening sentences; the full specification is the authority on duties and qualifications.
What the state says the job is
Performs highly complex, expert level professional statistical research and consultation. Responsible for making value out of the most complex data, positions are characterized by the following: Such data analytical research work requires in-depth and specialized subject-matter expertise obtained through specialized training and job experience. As such, positions function as technical expert to other research staff on specific project subject-matter questions. Positions translate research and analytical project theory into working hypotheses which, in turn, are used to define analytical research questions. Positions define project scope, goals, objectives, methods and plans; later may adapt such as indicated to meet program changes. This is the highest level of expertise of scientific research and analysis.
Examples of the work
Defines the analytical research project; consults with agency management to determine needs, goals and objectives to refine models that impact business decisions and processes; Guides inquiry process with stakeholders; Analyzes and applies related data analysis and validates data for research conducted by others in specialty field to develop statistical and analytical reports of a complex nature; Supervises gathering and analysis of highly complex data and preparation of periodic or special statistical and narrative reports; coordinates work of unit with that of data processing and other groups; Studies proposed program changes to ascertain costs, equity, social desirability, and administrat ...
Minimum qualifications
A Master’s degree in relevant specialty, technical or qualitative field; and four years’ experience in experimental, analytical, or theoretical research in identified specialty area; a Ph.D. may substitute for two years of the desired experience. AND For those positions required to supervise, experience must include at least one year of supervisory experience that may be concurrent to other required experience. OR Equivalent education/experience in relevant field.
Quoted from the OFM classified job specification, read 2026-10-21.
Where this comes from
Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) publishes this figure in Classified Job Listing joined to the OFM salary schedules effective July 1, 2026. Every number on this page is read from that document; nothing is estimated, modelled or averaged.
The dollar figures come from the salary schedule the listing assigns this range to.