Senior scientist salary in United States (Updated 2026)
How much does a Senior Scientist make in the United States?
Average base salary
- Hour
- Day
- Week
- Month
- Year
The average salary for a senior scientist is $124,418 per year in the United States. 3.3k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated October 29, 2026).
Highest paying companies for Senior Scientist in United States
Average year pay is based on job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months.Looking to Hire?
Highest paying cities for Senior Scientists near United States
Where can a Senior Scientist earn more?
Compare salaries for Senior Scientists in different locations
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Senior Scientist
The average salary for a Senior Scientist is $124,418 per year in the United States. This figure is based on 3.3k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on October 29, 2026.
Senior Scientist jobs on Indeed - find your next one today.
Senior Scientist salaries typically range between a low of $80,494 and a high of $192,310 per year, depending on experience, location, and the hiring company.
Some of the highest-paying cities for Senior Scientist include Cambridge, MA at $150,979 per year, Pleasanton, CA at $144,395 per year, and Emeryville, CA at $143,661 per year.
Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Senior Scientist include Cogent Infotech ($328,577 per year) and Sandia National Laboratories ($272,750 per year).
Compensation can vary based on the specific niche and level of responsibility within the field. Here is how the average Senior Scientist salary compares to related positions: