Research And Development Scientist Salary in Massachusetts

How much does a Research And Development Scientist make in Massachusetts?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research And Development Scientist in Massachusetts is $125,936 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $145,272
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $115,571 to $136,057
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $106,134
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View as table View as graph 25% $115,571 10% $106,134 90% $145,272 75% $136,057 $125,936 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Research And Development Scientist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $136,057 $11,338 $2,616 $65
Average $125,936 $10,495 $2,422 $61
25th Percentile $115,571 $9,631 $2,223 $56
Check out Research And Development Scientist Job Openings in Massachusetts
Research Scientist Assay Development

GrapheneDx - Boston, MA

Research Scientist

Yoh, A Day & Zimmermann Company - Waltham, MA

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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 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): $124,929
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $125,217
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $126,368
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $131,345
  • Expert (over 8 years): $133,783
Levels Salary
Entry Level Research And Development Scientist$124,929
Intermediate Level Research And Development Scientist$125,217
Senior Level Research And Development Scientist$126,368
Specialist Level Research And Development Scientist$131,345
Expert Level Research And Development Scientist$133,783
$124,929 0 yr
$125,217 < 2 yrs
$126,368 2-4 yrs
$131,345 5-8 yrs
$133,783 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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:

  • Agawam: $119,371
  • Amherst: $120,244
  • Barre: $121,445

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$188,904$91.050%

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 August 01, 2026

Find Your Next Research And Development Scientist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Research And Development Scientist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • E Ink Corporation

    Billerica, MA

    E Ink Corporation | Billerica, MA

    Job Description. Job Description. E INK CORPORATION. At E Ink Corporation, innovation is at the heart of everything we do. Founded in 1997 as a spin-off fr... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Visterra

    Waltham, MA

    Visterra | Waltham, MA

    Job Description. Job Description. Salary: $142,000-$187,000. The Opportunity. We are seeking a highly motivated Scientist / Senior Scientist to be a foundi... more

    11 Days Ago

  • AbbVie

    Waltham, MA

    AbbVie | Waltham, MA

    Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. About AbbVie. AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that so... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Tutor Intelligence

    Watertown, MA

    Tutor Intelligence | Watertown, MA

    Job Description. Job Description. The Company. We believe general-purpose, generally-intelligent robots will be built. in our lifetimes. Robots will work i... more

    7 Days Ago

  • 1910

    Boston, MA

    1910 | Boston, MA

    Job Description. Job Description. Company Overview. We are the only AI-native biotech, pioneering small and large molecule therapeutics discovery by integr... more

    8 Days Ago

  • 1910

    Boston, MA

    1910 | Boston, MA

    Job Description. Job Description. Company Overview. We are the only AI-native biotech, pioneering small and large molecule therapeutics discovery by integr... more

    8 Days Ago

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