Scientist salary in United States

The average salary for a Scientist is $106,599 per year in the United States. This figure is based on 3.9k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on August 3, 2026.

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Scientist salaries typically range between a low of $64,085 and a high of $177,317 per year, depending on experience, location, and the hiring company.

Some of the highest-paying cities for Scientist include Los Alamos, NM at $146,401 per year, Malvern, PA at $114,331 per year, and Bothell, WA at $104,693 per year.

Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Scientist include VanderHouwen ($387,500 per year) and Collectors ($283,551 per year).

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

• Chief Scientist: Average $236,783 per year
• Entry Level Scientist: Average $65,695 per year
• Junior Scientist: Average $27.55 per hour
• Senior Scientist: Average $125,239 per year