Research And Development Scientist Salary in the United States

How much does a Research And Development Scientist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research And Development Scientist in the United States is $115,728 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

However, a Research And Development Scientist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $133,488
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $106,218 to $125,024
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $97,560

Key Factors That Influence Research And Development Scientist Salaries

A Research And Development 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Research And Development Scientist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Research And Development 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $114,804
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $115,068
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $116,125
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $120,695
  • Expert (over 8 years): $122,934
Levels Salary
Entry Level Research And Development Scientist$114,804
Intermediate Level Research And Development Scientist$115,068
Senior Level Research And Development Scientist$116,125
Specialist Level Research And Development Scientist$120,695
Expert Level Research And Development Scientist$122,934

Top Paying Cities for Research And Development Scientists

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: $145,968
  • San Francisco: $144,370
  • Oakland: $141,327

What Skills Can Increase a Research And Development Scientist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.08% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Computer Vision (Mentioned in 2.84% Job Postings): Designing and utilizing digital systems process, analyze, and interpret visual data.
  • Deep Learning (Mentioned in 2.06% Job Postings): Analyzing, developing, and applying big data and algorithms to imitate how humans think and learn.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.08%
Computer Vision 2.84%
Deep Learning 2.06%

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 Research And Development Scientist's salary.

  • Deep Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Computer Vision: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Artificial Intelligence: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Deep Learning $126,144
9%
Computer Vision $123,829
7%
Artificial Intelligence $122,672
6%

Research And Development Scientist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Research And Development Scientist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Research And Development Scientist positions in Telecom or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research And Development Scientist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Research And Development Scientist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$173,592$83.050%

How Education impacts a Research And Development Scientist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Research And Development Scientists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Research And Development Scientist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $115,563 and $123,542).

Research And Development Scientist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Research And Development Scientist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 14.7%
Associates 0.9%
Bachelors 14.7%
Masters 25.7%
Doctorate 58.7%

Research And Development Scientist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Research And Development 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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$106,218
Average $115,728/year
$125,024
$8,852
Average $9,644/month
$10,419
$2,043
Average $2,226/week
$2,404
$51
Average $56/hour
$60
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $125,024 $10,419 $2,404 $60
Average $115,728 $9,644 $2,226 $56
25th Percentile $106,218 $8,852 $2,043 $51

Most common benefits for Research And Development Scientist

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

Common company salaries for Research And Development Scientist

Here are companies hiring for Research And Development Scientist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Research And Development Scientist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Research And Development Scientist?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Research And Development Scientist roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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