Scientist, Upstream Process Development Salary in the United States

How much does a Scientist, Upstream Process Development make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Scientist, Upstream Process Development in the United States is $99,392 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $124,247
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $87,749 to $112,402
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $77,149
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View as table View as graph 25% $87,749 10% $77,149 90% $124,247 75% $112,402 $99,392 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Scientist, Upstream Process Development Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $112,402 $9,367 $2,162 $54
Average $99,392 $8,283 $1,911 $48
25th Percentile $87,749 $7,312 $1,687 $42
Check out Scientist, Upstream Process Development Job Openings in the United States
RN Staff Development Coordinator (SDC)

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Manufacturing Draftsman/Engineer (7 Years Exp.)

Machine and Process Design - ANOKA, MN

Entry-Level Sales Development Representative

Fifth Wheel Freight - KENTWOOD, MI

Senior Development Engineer

Constellation Energy - COLLEGE PARK, MD

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Key Factors That Influence Scientist, Upstream Process Development Salaries

A Scientist, Upstream Process Development'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 Scientist, Upstream Process Development Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Scientist, Upstream Process Development'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): $93,180
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $94,056
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $97,209
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $103,219
  • Expert (over 8 years): $105,706
Levels Salary
Entry Level Scientist, Upstream Process Development$93,180
Intermediate Level Scientist, Upstream Process Development$94,056
Senior Level Scientist, Upstream Process Development$97,209
Specialist Level Scientist, Upstream Process Development$103,219
Expert Level Scientist, Upstream Process Development$105,706
$93,180 0 yr
$94,056 < 2 yrs
$97,209 2-4 yrs
$103,219 5-8 yrs
$105,706 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Scientist, Upstream Process Development 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 Scientist, Upstream Process Developments. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $110,047.
  • California: $109,630.
  • Massachusetts: $108,169.

Top Paying Cities for Scientist, Upstream Process Developments

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: $125,364
  • San Francisco: $124,131
  • Oakland: $121,378

What Skills Can Increase a Scientist, Upstream Process Development'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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 10.33%
SOP 2.98%
Process Development 1.99%
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 Scientist, Upstream Process Development'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
 $115,295
16%
Cell Culture
 $114,301
15%
Chromatography
 $109,332
10%
Process Development
 $108,338
9%
Biotechnology
 $108,338
9%
Insight
 $106,350
7%
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How Education impacts a Scientist, Upstream Process Development's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Scientist, Upstream Process Developments 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 Scientist, Upstream Process Development with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $96,322 and $106,046).

Scientist, Upstream Process Development Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Scientist, Upstream Process Development
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%
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Scientist, Upstream Process Development Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Scientist, Upstream Process Development'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$87,749
Average $99,392/year
$112,402
$7,312
Average $8,283/month
$9,367
$1,687
Average $1,911/week
$2,162
$42
Average $48/hour
$54
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $112,402 $9,367 $2,162 $54
Average $99,392 $8,283 $1,911 $48
25th Percentile $87,749 $7,312 $1,687 $42

Salaries of jobs related to Scientist, Upstream Process Development

Salary Trends for Scientist, Upstream Process Development

Salaries for a Scientist, Upstream Process Development can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $85,044 in 2023 to around $82,812 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Scientist, Upstream Process Development salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Scientist, Upstream Process Development Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$85,044
2024
$83,614
2025
$82,812
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $85,044
2024 $83,614
2025 $82,812
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Scientist, Upstream Process Development

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

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