As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cognitive Scientist in Virginia is $96,934 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.
However, a Cognitive Scientist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Cognitive Scientist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $105,698 | $8,808 | $2,033 | $51 |
| Average | $96,934 | $8,078 | $1,864 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,364 | $7,197 | $1,661 | $42 |
Focus Staff - RAPID CITY, SD
Focus Staff - LEBANON, NH
Focus Staff - URBANA, IL
Focus Staff - WEIRTON, WV
A Cognitive Scientist'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Cognitive Scientist'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Employee ... Level Cognitive Scientist | $63,416 |
| Employee ... Level Cognitive Scientist | $81,800 |
| Cognitive... Level Cognitive Scientist | $99,136 |
| Employee ... Level Cognitive Scientist | $113,036 |
| Employee ... Level Cognitive Scientist | $121,608 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Cognitive Scientists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Cognitive Scientist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Cognitive Scientist positions in Aerospace & Defense or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cognitive Scientist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $106,627 | $51.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Cognitive Scientist'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $105,698 | $8,808 | $2,033 | $51 |
| Average | $96,934 | $8,078 | $1,864 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,364 | $7,197 | $1,661 | $42 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Cognitive Scientist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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