Research scientist salary in United States

The average salary for a Research Scientist is $145,747 per year in the United States. This figure is based on 3.1k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on September 6, 2026.

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Research Scientist salaries typically range between a low of $69,306 and a high of $306,501 per year, depending on experience, location, and the hiring company.

Some of the highest-paying cities for Research Scientist include San Jose, CA at $266,611 per year, San Francisco, CA at $228,858 per year, and Seattle, WA at $206,069 per year.

Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Research Scientist include MERCOR ($350,000 per year) and HARVEY ($300,000 per year).

Compensation can vary based on the specific niche and level of responsibility within the field. Here is how the average Research Scientist salary compares to related positions:

• Junior Research Scientist: Average $81,402 per year
• Senior Research Scientist: Average $147,426 per year