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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 May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Scientist I - Biotech in the United States is $106,081 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): $131,884
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $100,856 to $119,587
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $96,099
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View as table View as graph 25% $100,856 10% $96,099 90% $131,884 75% $119,587 $106,081 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Scientist I - Biotech Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $119,587 $9,966 $2,300 $57
Average $106,081 $8,840 $2,040 $51
25th Percentile $100,856 $8,405 $1,940 $48
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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): $106,081
  • Scientist II - Biotech (2-4 years): $126,993
  • Scientist III - Biotech (4-7 years): $143,794
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Scientist I - Biotech0-2 years$106,081
Scientist II - Biotech2-4 years$126,993
Scientist III - Biotech4-7 years$143,794
$106,081 Scientist...
$126,993 Scientist...
$143,794 Scientist...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Scientist I - Bioteches

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: $133,800
  • San Francisco: $132,335
  • Oakland: $129,546

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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 13.75%
Data Analysis 3.11%
Oncology 2.2%
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
$113,507
7%
Biotechnology
$113,507
7%
Machine Learning
$112,446
6%
Bioinformatics
$112,446
6%
Cell Culture
$112,446
6%
Molecular Biology
$111,385
5%
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How Education impacts a Scientist I - Biotech's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Scientist I - Bioteches enter the field with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Scientist I - Biotech with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $109,154 and $115,729).

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%
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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 May 01, 2026

Scientist I - Biotech Salary Growth & Career Path

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.

Scientist I - Biotech Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Pharmacokinetics Scientist II $89,943 -15%
Bioinformatics Analyst II $82,209 -23%
Biochemist II $77,032 -27%
Biophysicist $76,885 -28%

Salary Trends for Scientist I - Biotech

Salaries for a Scientist I - Biotech can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $79,469 in 2023 to around $74,707 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Scientist I - Biotech salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Scientist I - Biotech Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$79,469
2024
$76,768
2025
$74,707
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $79,469
2024 $76,768
2025 $74,707
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Scientist I - Biotech

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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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 $133,800.

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

The highest pay for Scientist I - Biotech is $131,884.

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

The lowest pay for Scientist I - Biotech is $96,099.

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.

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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