What are the main factors that influence a Scientist's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Scientist's salary?

A Scientist's salary grows with experience: a Scientist I - Biotech (0-2 years)earns $107,884, a Scientist (2-4 years)earns $129,152, a Scientist III - Biotech (4-7 years)earns $146,238,

What are the highest paying states for a Scientist?

Scientist salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Scientist roles are District of Columbia $139,201, California $138,672, Massachusetts $136,824. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Scientist roles make?

Salaries for Scientist level roles vary by specialization: Social Scientist: $138,422; Weather Scientist: $136,100; Atmospheric Scientist: $136,060; Associate Scientist, Scientist: $131,260; Building Scientist: $83,927.

Scientist Salary in Rhode Island

How much does a Scientist make in Rhode Island?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Scientist in Rhode Island is $130,350 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $161,491
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $117,912 to $146,650
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $106,589

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Scientist Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$146,650	$12,221	$2,820	$71
Average	$130,350	$10,862	$2,507	$63
25th Percentile	$117,912	$9,826	$2,268	$57

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Key Factors That Influence Scientist Salaries

A 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 Do Scientist 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 Scientists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $139,201.
California: $138,672.
Massachusetts: $136,824.

District of Columbia $139,201 California $138,672 Massachusetts $136,824 Washington $136,321 New Jersey $136,271 Alaska $136,095 Connecticut $134,360 New York $133,656

Hawaii $131,406 Rhode Island $130,350 Maryland $129,633 Minnesota $128,652 Colorado $128,275 Illinois $128,149 Oregon $127,672 Delaware $127,320

New Hampshire $127,098 Virginia $126,603 Pennsylvania $125,157 Nevada $124,428 North Dakota $124,189 Michigan $123,812 Wisconsin $123,674 Vermont $123,397

Texas $122,630 Maine $122,580 Arizona $122,504 Ohio $122,416 Georgia $121,260 Indiana $120,682 Wyoming $120,568 Utah $120,392

Iowa $120,317 Kansas $119,713 Louisiana $119,537 North Carolina $119,475 Missouri $119,449 Florida $118,959 Montana $118,695 Nebraska $118,444

Kentucky $118,305 South Carolina $117,802 Tennessee $117,488 Idaho $117,362 New Mexico $116,445 Oklahoma $116,243 Alabama $115,502 South Dakota $114,257

Arkansas $113,578 West Virginia $113,214 Mississippi $112,120

Top Paying Cities for 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:

Adamsville: $131,979
Albion: $130,864
Ashaway: $131,729

Adamsville, RI $131,979 Albion, RI $130,864 Ashaway, RI $131,729 Barrington, RI $130,519 Block Island, RI $131,246 Bradford, RI $131,650 Bristol, RI $131,022 Carolina, RI $131,432

Charlestown, RI $131,480 Chepachet, RI $131,218 Clayville, RI $130,852 Coventry, RI $130,859 West Greenwich, RI $131,220 East Greenwich, RI $130,771 Exeter, RI $131,183 Fiskeville, RI $130,517

Forestdale, RI $131,523 Foster, RI $131,149 Glendale, RI $131,533 Greene, RI $131,321 Greenville, RI $130,567 Harmony, RI $130,736 Harrisville, RI $131,476 Hope, RI $130,599

Hope Valley, RI $131,613 Hopkinton, RI $131,787 Jamestown, RI $131,347 Kenyon, RI $131,416 Little Compton, RI $131,959 Manville, RI $131,036 Mapleville, RI $131,243 Newport, RI $131,479

Middletown, RI $131,536 North Kingstown, RI $130,996 North Scituate, RI $130,737 Oakland, RI $131,386 Pascoag, RI $131,563 Pawtucket, RI $130,324 Central Falls, RI $130,382 Cumberland, RI $131,123

Lincoln, RI $130,513 Portsmouth, RI $131,465 Prudence Island, RI $131,194 Rockville, RI $131,767 Saunderstown, RI $131,267 Shannock, RI $131,423 Slatersville, RI $131,524 Slocum, RI $131,264

Tiverton, RI $131,865 Wakefield, RI $131,379 Kingston, RI $131,329 Narragansett, RI $131,416 Peace Dale, RI $131,363 Warren, RI $130,856 Warwick, RI $130,492 Westerly, RI $131,760

West Kingston, RI $131,370 West Warwick, RI $130,651 Wood River Junction, RI $131,558 Woonsocket, RI $131,530 North Smithfield, RI $131,231 Wyoming, RI $131,423 Providence, RI $130,287 Cranston, RI $130,304

North Providence, RI $130,319 East Providence, RI $130,296 Riverside, RI $130,337 Rumford, RI $130,318 Smithfield, RI $130,582 Johnston, RI $130,363

Scientist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a 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 May 01, 2026

$117,912

Average $130,350/year

$146,650

$9,826

Average $10,862/month

$12,221

$2,268

Average $2,507/week

$2,820

$57

Average $63/hour

$71

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$146,650	$12,221	$2,820	$71
Average	$130,350	$10,862	$2,507	$63
25th Percentile	$117,912	$9,826	$2,268	$57

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