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Research Physiologist Salary in the United States

How much does a Research Physiologist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Physiologist in the United States is $96,955 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $120,098
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $84,199 to $109,069
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $72,585
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Research Physiologist Salaries

A Research Physiologist'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 Physiologist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Research Physiologist'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): $60,614
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $70,133
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $99,612
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $107,598
  • Expert (over 8 years): $160,186
Levels Salary
Clinical ... Level Research Physiologist$60,614
Clinical ... Level Research Physiologist$70,133
Research ... Level Research Physiologist$99,612
Clinical ... Level Research Physiologist$107,598
Clinical ... Level Research Physiologist$160,186
View as Graph

How Do Research Physiologist Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Research Physiologists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $107,348.
  • California: $106,941.
  • Massachusetts: $105,516.

Top Paying Cities for Research Physiologists

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: $122,289
  • San Francisco: $120,950
  • Oakland: $118,401

What Skills Can Increase a Research Physiologist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 10.33% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 2.98% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
  • Process Development (Mentioned in 1.99% Job Postings): Process development consists of designing and developing, as well as evaluating costs and efficiency.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 10.33%
SOP 2.98%
Process Development 1.99%
See More Skills

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 Physiologist's salary.

  • Drug Discovery: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Cell Culture: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Chromatography: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Drug Discovery $112,468
16%
Cell Culture $111,498
15%
Chromatography $106,650
10%
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Research Physiologist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Research Physiologist 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 Healthcare and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Research Physiologist positions in Pharmaceuticals or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research Physiologist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Research Physiologist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$145,432$70.050%
Biotechnology$116,346$56.020%

How Education impacts a Research Physiologist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Research Physiologists 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 Research Physiologist with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $96,322 and $106,046).

Research Physiologist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Research Physiologist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.4%
High School 1.4%
Associates 25.4%
Bachelors 11.3%
Masters 25.4%
Doctorate 62.0%
View as Graph

Research Physiologist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Research Physiologist'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
$84,199
Average $96,955/year
$109,069
$7,017
Average $8,080/month
$9,089
$1,619
Average $1,865/week
$2,097
$40
Average $47/hour
$52
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $109,069 $9,089 $2,097 $52
Average $96,955 $8,080 $1,865 $47
25th Percentile $84,199 $7,017 $1,619 $40

Most common benefits for Research Physiologist

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

Common company salaries for Research Physiologist

Here are companies hiring for Research Physiologist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Research Physiologist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Research Physiologist?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Research Physiologist 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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