Does Applied Research Associates pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Applied Research Associates employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.3 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Applied Research Associates. This rating has decreased by 1% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Applied Research Associates?

45% of Applied Research Associates employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Applied Research Associates 3.0 out of 5 for work life balance, 2.8 for culture and values and 3.0 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Applied Research Associates?

Software Engineer (20) , Staff Engineer (12) , Engineer (9) , Staff Software Engineer (7) , Junior Software Engineer (6) , Intern (4) , Scientist (4) , Technical Writer (4) , Civil Engineering Technician (3) , Engineering Technician (3) , Senior Program Manager (3) , Senior Software Developer (3) , Senior Software Engineer (3) , Software Developer (3) , Systems Administrator (3)

What are the pros of working at Applied Research Associates according to real employee reviews?

"good benefits but could be better" ((in 44 reviews)); "The people are great and the company really focuses on hiring those that mesh well with the company culture." ((in 21 reviews)); "The management is good" ((in 11 reviews)); "good work life balance" ((in 9 reviews)); "Culture is great" ((in 8 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Applied Research Associates according to real employee reviews?

"Low pay" ((in 13 reviews)); "Abysmal, from top of company to managers to inter" ((in 5 reviews)); "Can't developing a career; unstable salary" ((in 5 reviews)); "Not much upward mobility to grow" ((in 3 reviews)); "Base salary is fairly average, but they give bonuses and ESOP contributions." ((in 3 reviews))

What are employees saying about Applied Research Associates layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Applied Research Associates layoffs and their outlook for job security at Applied Research Associates in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Applied Research Associates locations?

Raleigh , Niceville , Albuquerque , Alexandria , Arlington , Champaign , Vicksburg , Littleton , Washington , Orlando , Baton Rouge , Panama City , Fort Belvoir , Austin , Dayton , Camp Hill , Summit Point , Cypress , Harrisburg , Elkridge , Fort Walton Beach , Greenville , Egg Harbor Township , Jersey City , Virginia Beach , Reston , Charlotte , Durham , Rapid City , Randolph

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Applied Research Associates

Applied Research Associates reviews

3.2

45% would recommend to a friend

(252 total reviews)

Rob Sues

52% approve of CEO

53% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

3.3

Compensation and benefits

3.1

Senior management

3.0

Work/Life balance

3.0

Career opportunities

2.8

Culture & values

2.7

Diversity & inclusion

Applied Research Associates has an employee rating of 3.2 out of 5 stars, based on 252 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Applied Research Associates employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Aerospace & Defense industry (3.6 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

252 reviews

5.0

Jul 26, 2018

Quiet work environment.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Nice co-workers around you always.

Cons

Can be boring at times.

5.0

Jun 19, 2018

Great place to work!

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

ARA is a great place to work and lives out their core values of passion, freedom, service and growth. I greatly appreciate the work life balance, professional growth and development and great benefits package.

Cons

Management can get stuck in the weeds from time to time.

4.0

Jun 18, 2018

Senior engineer

Civil engineer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Flag organization; lots of opportunities for professional development

Cons

Hard to grow, every division acts more like a small business owned by division manager

Viewing 202 - 204 of 252 Reviews

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Jobs at Applied Research Associates

Senior Executive Administrative Assistant

Senior Contracts Administrator- Remote

Senior Executive Administrative Assistant

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Applied Research Associates

Applied Research Associates reviews

Ratings by category

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Quiet work environment.

Great place to work!

Senior engineer

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