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Principal scientist salary in Cambridge, MA

How much does a Principal Scientist make in Cambridge, MA?

Average base salary

$171,882
same
as national average
Average $171,882
Low $119,957
High $246,285

The average salary for a principal scientist is $171,882 per year in Cambridge, MA. 104 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated October 16, 2026).

Principal Scientist job openings in Cambridge, MA

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Principal Scientist I, Frontie...
Novartis4.1out of 5 stars.
Cambridge, MA
$108,500 - $201,500 a year
Full-time
4 days ago

Highest paying companies for Principal Scientist in Cambridge, MA

Average year pay is based on job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months.
Samsung Semiconductor Inc (US)
 
$250,000per year
View company
Alexion Pharmaceuticals
 
$227,950per year
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
 
$185,860per year
Moderna
 
$185,407per year
Merck
 
$173,000per year
Bristol Myers Squibb
 
$168,333per year

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Highest paying cities for Principal Scientists near Cambridge, MA

  1. Marlborough, MA
    $191,053 per year
  2. Watertown, MA
    $190,023 per year
  3. Somerville, MA
    $184,249 per year
  4. Devens, MA
    $180,750 per year
  5. Waltham, MA
    $177,796 per year

Where can a Principal Scientist earn more?

Compare salaries for Principal Scientists in different locations
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Principal Scientist

The average salary for a Principal Scientist is $171,882 per year in Cambridge, MA. This figure is based on 104 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on October 16, 2026.

Principal Scientist jobs on Indeed - find your next one today.

Principal Scientist salaries in Cambridge, MA typically range between a low of $119,957 and a high of $246,285 per year, depending on experience and the hiring company.

Some of the highest-paying cities for Principal Scientist in Cambridge, MA include Marlborough, MA at $191,053 per year, Watertown, MA at $190,023 per year, and Somerville, MA at $184,249 per year.

Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Principal Scientist in Cambridge, MA include Samsung Semiconductor Inc (US) ($250,000 per year) and Alexion Pharmaceuticals ($227,950 per year).

How much do similar professions as Principal Scientist get paid in Cambridge, MA?

Senior Principal Scientist

Job openings
Average $192,126 per year