As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Drug Safety Scientist in the United States is $86,085 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.
However, a Drug Safety Scientist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Drug Safety 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Drug Safety 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Drug Safety Scientist | $82,294 |
| Intermediate Level Drug Safety Scientist | $82,863 |
| Senior Level Drug Safety Scientist | $84,758 |
| Specialist Level Drug Safety Scientist | $87,033 |
| Expert Level Drug Safety Scientist | $89,717 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Drug Safety Scientists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 5.41% |
| Regulatory Compliance | 1.8% |
| Quality Assurance | 1.35% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Listening
|
$98,137 |
14%
|
|
Reserve Management
|
$94,694 |
10%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$91,250 |
6%
|
|
Presentation
|
$90,390 |
5%
|
|
Economics
|
$90,390 |
5%
|
|
Teamwork
|
$89,529 |
4%
|
For Drug Safety Scientist roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Hospitality & Leisure, offers compensation 30% above the average. Conversely, Drug Safety Scientist positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Drug Safety Scientist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality & Leisure | $111,911 | $54.0 | 30% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Drug Safety Scientists enter the field with a No Diploma 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 Drug Safety Scientist with a No Diploma is between $83,856 and $95,969).
Drug Safety Scientist Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 47.1% |
| High School | 47.1% |
| Associates | 23.5% |
| Bachelors | 29.4% |
| Masters | 0.0% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Drug Safety 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, 2026Salaries for a Drug Safety Scientist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $53,353 in 2023 to around $53,133 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Drug Safety Scientist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $53,353 |
| 2024 | $53,851 |
| 2025 | $53,133 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Hospitality & Leisure industry offers the highest average compensation for Drug Safety Scientist roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.
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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