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Scientist I - Biotech Salary in the United States

How much does a Scientist I - Biotech make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Scientist I - Biotech in the United States is $106,169 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.

However, a Scientist I - Biotech's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $131,950
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $100,863 to $119,664
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $96,032
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Scientist I - Biotech Salaries

A Scientist I - Biotech'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 Scientist I - Biotech Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Scientist I - Biotech'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:

  • Scientist I - Biotech (0-2 years): $106,169
  • Scientist II - Biotech (2-4 years): $127,096
  • Scientist III - Biotech (4-7 years): $143,889
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Scientist I - Biotech0-2 years$106,169
Scientist II - Biotech2-4 years$127,096
Scientist III - Biotech4-7 years$143,889
View as Graph

How Do Scientist I - Bioteches 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 Scientist I - Bioteches. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $117,550.
  • California: $117,104.
  • Massachusetts: $115,544.

Top Paying Cities for Scientist I - Biotech

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: $133,911
  • San Francisco: $132,445
  • Oakland: $129,654

What Skills Can Increase a Scientist I - Biotech's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 13.75% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Data Analysis (Mentioned in 3.11% Job Postings): Data analysis is a process of inspecting, cleansing, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision-making. Data analysis has multiple facets and approaches, encompassing diverse techniques under a variety of names, and is used in different business, science, and social science domains. In today's business world, data analysis plays a role in making decisions more scientific and helping businesses operate more effectively. Data mining is a particular data analysis technique that focuses on modeling and knowledge discovery for predictive rather than purely descriptive purposes, while business intelligence covers data analysis that relies heavily on aggregation, focusing mainly on business information. In statistical applications, data analysis can be divided into descriptive statistics, exploratory data analysis (EDA), and confirmatory data analysis (CDA). EDA focuses on discovering new features in the data while CDA focuses on confirming or falsifying existing hypotheses. Predictive analytics focuses on application of statistical models for predictive forecasting or classification, while text analytics applies statistical, linguistic, and structural techniques to extract and classify information from textual sources, a species of unstructured data. All of the above are varieties of data analysis.
  • Oncology (Mentioned in 2.2% Job Postings): Designing, constructing, and repairing dental prosthetics and restorative and orthodontic devices to help patients correct dental conditions.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 13.75%
Data Analysis 3.11%
Oncology 2.2%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Scientist I - Biotech's salary.

  • Cell Biology: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Biotechnology: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Machine Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Cell Biology $113,601
7%
Biotechnology $113,601
7%
Machine Learning $112,539
6%
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Scientist I - Biotech Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Scientist I - Biotech salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $118,449. While startup companies pay approximate $100,380.

Scientist I - Biotech Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $100,380
Growth Stage 51~500 $106,112
Established 501~5000 $114,430
Enterprise 5000+ $118,449

Scientist I - Biotech Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Scientist I - Biotech 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 Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Scientist I - Biotech positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Scientist I - Biotech as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Scientist I - Biotech

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$127,403$61.020%
Energy & Utilities$122,094$59.015%
Chemicals$116,786$56.010%
Healthcare$111,477$54.05%

How Education impacts an Scientist I - Biotech's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Scientist I - Biotech 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 Scientist I - Biotech with a Bachelor's Degree is between $0 and $0.

Scientist I - Biotech Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Scientist I - Biotech
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 0.2%
Associates 0.6%
Bachelors 20.9%
Masters 16.0%
Doctorate 62.4%
View as Graph

Scientist I - Biotech Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Scientist I - Biotech'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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$100,863
Average $106,169/year
$119,664
$8,405
Average $8,847/month
$9,972
$1,940
Average $2,042/week
$2,301
$48
Average $51/hour
$58
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $119,664 $9,972 $2,301 $58
Average $106,169 $8,847 $2,042 $51
25th Percentile $100,863 $8,405 $1,940 $48

Scientist I - Biotech Salary Growth & Career Path

Scientist I - Biotech

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Scientist I - Biotech, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Pharmacokinetics Scientist II $89,931 -15%
Bioinformatics Analyst II $82,177 -23%
Biochemist II $77,460 -27%
Biophysicist $77,313 -27%

Most common benefits for Scientist I - Biotech

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

Common company salaries for Scientist I - Biotech

Here are companies hiring for Scientist I - Biotech and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Scientist I - Biotech

1. Where can a Scientist I - Biotech earn the most?

A Scientist I - Biotech's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Scientist I - Biotech earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Scientist I - Biotech is $133,911.

2. What is the highest pay for Scientist I - Biotech?

The highest pay for Scientist I - Biotech is $131,950.

3. What is the lowest pay for Scientist I - Biotech?

The lowest pay for Scientist I - Biotech is $96,032.

4. What are the responsibilities of Scientist I - Biotech?

Develop and conduct basic and applied research projects. Utilize advanced technologies to study biological, molecular and chemical processes. Synthesize and analyze DNA, proteins and other molecules to develop new drugs, medical protocols, and products. Prepare technical papers and reports on findings. Requires a PhD in area of specialty. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Work is closely managed.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Scientist I - Biotech?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Scientist I - Biotech 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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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