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Research And Development Scientist Salary in Pennsylvania

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research And Development Scientist in Pennsylvania is $115,197 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $132,884
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $105,716 to $124,455
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $97,084
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $105,716 10% $97,084 90% $132,884 75% $124,455 $115,197 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 $124,455 $10,371 $2,393 $60
Average $115,197 $9,600 $2,215 $55
25th Percentile $105,716 $8,810 $2,033 $51
Check out Research And Development Scientist Job Openings in Pennsylvania
Research Scientist

The University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, PA

Research Data Scientist

System One - Pittsburgh, PA

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Waabi - Pittsburgh, PA

Research Scientist Neural Reconstruction

Waabi - Pittsburgh, PA

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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): $114,276
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $114,539
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $115,593
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $120,145
  • Expert (over 8 years): $122,375
Levels Salary
Entry Level Research And Development Scientist$114,276
Intermediate Level Research And Development Scientist$114,539
Senior Level Research And Development Scientist$115,593
Specialist Level Research And Development Scientist$120,145
Expert Level Research And Development Scientist$122,375
$114,276 0 yr
$114,539 < 2 yrs
$115,593 2-4 yrs
$120,145 5-8 yrs
$122,375 > 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:

  • Beaver Meadows: $111,370
  • Coaldale: $112,242
  • Conyngham: $110,332

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$172,796$83.050%

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$105,716
Average $115,197/year
$124,455
$8,810
Average $9,600/month
$10,371
$2,033
Average $2,215/week
$2,393
$51
Average $55/hour
$60
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $124,455 $10,371 $2,393 $60
Average $115,197 $9,600 $2,215 $55
25th Percentile $105,716 $8,810 $2,033 $51

Salaries of jobs related to Research And Development Scientist

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

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