Senior scientist salary in United States

The average salary for a Senior Scientist is $123,394 per year in the United States. This figure is based on 3.2k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on August 31, 2026.

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Senior Scientist salaries typically range between a low of $79,797 and a high of $190,809 per year, depending on experience, location, and the hiring company.

Some of the highest-paying cities for Senior Scientist include Cambridge, MA at $147,014 per year, Atlanta, GA at $143,442 per year, and Boston, MA at $142,601 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:

• Chief Scientist: Average $229,090 per year
• Entry Level Scientist: Average $65,241 per year
• Junior Scientist: Average $27.73 per hour
• Scientist: Average $107,176 per year
• Senior Scientist: Average $123,394 per year