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SALARIES · 292 POSTED PAY RANGES

Scientist salaries

Pay ranges employers published in 292 open job postings for Scientist roles at 79 companies, updated Sep 30, 2026.

Posted base pay ranges from job listings, not total compensation. Figures are in USD; 2 more postings in CAD, 2 more postings in EUR, 2 more postings in GBP. How these figures are made

Pay distribution

Scientist: postings by posted pay286 postings by the midpoint of their pay range, in 14 bands from $70K to $210K. Median $142K; middle half $109K–$168K.Median $142K$70K$210K

Postings per pay band: $70K–$80K: 21; $80K–$90K: 8; $90K–$100K: 20; $100K–$110K: 23; $110K–$120K: 22; $120K–$130K: 28; $130K–$140K: 17; $140K–$150K: 33; $150K–$160K: 22; $160K–$170K: 25; $170K–$180K: 13; $180K–$190K: 13; $190K–$200K: 20; $200K–$210K: 21.

Pay by level

  1. Entry level$90K median · $72.7K–$109K typical · 38 postingsEntry level: middle half $72.7K–$109K, median $90K
  2. Mid level$125K median · $106K–$157K typical · 65 postingsMid level: middle half $106K–$157K, median $125K
  3. Senior$144K median · $117K–$154K typical · 105 postingsSenior: middle half $117K–$154K, median $144K
  4. Staff$175K median · $131K–$197K typical · 16 postingsStaff: middle half $131K–$197K, median $175K
  5. Principal$183K median · $155K–$209K typical · 60 postingsPrincipal: middle half $155K–$209K, median $183K

Companies hiring

  1. Gilead$168K median · $153K–$194K typical · 49 postingsGilead: middle half $153K–$194K, median $168K
  2. Eli Lilly and Company$119K median · $117K–$129K typical · 23 postingsEli Lilly and Company: middle half $117K–$129K, median $119K
  3. Bristol Myers Squibb$136K median · $106K–$150K typical · 20 postingsBristol Myers Squibb: middle half $106K–$150K, median $136K
  4. Regeneron$124K median · $106K–$145K typical · 16 postingsRegeneron: middle half $106K–$145K, median $124K

Top-paying companies

  1. Vrtx · $210K median · 3 postings
  2. 469g Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. · $197K median · 5 postings
  3. Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC · $183K median · 9 postings
  4. ModernaTX, Inc. · $170K median · 11 postings
  5. Gilead · $168K median · 49 postings

By location

  1. United States$142K median · $111K–$169K typical · 278 postingsUnited States: middle half $111K–$169K, median $142K
  2. California$155K median · $125K–$180K typical · 95 postingsCalifornia: middle half $125K–$180K, median $155K
  3. Foster City, CA$168K median · $146K–$194K typical · 43 postingsFoster City, CA: middle half $146K–$194K, median $168K
  4. Massachusetts$154K median · $142K–$200K typical · 26 postingsMassachusetts: middle half $142K–$200K, median $154K
  5. Remote$168K median · $147K–$194K typical · 74 postingsRemote: middle half $147K–$194K, median $168K

Remote vs on-site

Remote: $168K median, $147K–$194K typical, from 72 postings. On-site: $129K median, $106K–$149K typical, from 155 postings.

By years of experience

  1. 0–1 years$80K median · $65.9K–$151K typical · 14 postings0–1 years: middle half $65.9K–$151K, median $80K
  2. 2–4 years$126K median · $100K–$155K typical · 34 postings2–4 years: middle half $100K–$155K, median $126K
  3. 5–7 years$148K median · $118K–$169K typical · 25 postings5–7 years: middle half $118K–$169K, median $148K
  4. 8+ years$164K median · $164K–$210K typical · 6 postings8+ years: middle half $164K–$210K, median $164K

Newest Scientist postings

  1. Scientist - Entry Level - Training Provided! - 2nd ShiftEurofins · Lancaster, CA · €18.00–€19.00/hr · Posted Sep 30, 2026ApplyView posting
  2. Associate Principal Scientist, Device Risk Management Lead (Associate Director Equivalent)Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC · Remote · $140K–$220K/yr · Posted Sep 30, 2026ApplyView posting
  3. Associate Principal Scientist, Preclinical Dev.Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC · Remote · $142K–$224K/yr · Posted Sep 30, 2026ApplyView posting
  4. Associate Principal Scientist, Microbiology AR&DMerck Sharp & Dohme LLC · Remote · $142K–$224K/yr · Posted Sep 30, 2026ApplyView posting
  5. Associate Principal Scientist, Preclinical DevelopmentMerck Sharp & Dohme LLC · Remote · $142K–$224K/yr · Posted Sep 30, 2026ApplyView posting
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Questions and answers

How much does a Scientist make?

The median posted base pay for Scientist jobs is $142K a year, from 292 job postings with pay at 79 companies.

What is the typical Scientist pay range?

The middle half of postings list $109K–$168K. The top 10% list $197K a year or more, and the lowest 10% $90K or less.

Which companies pay the most for Scientist jobs?

By median posted pay: Vrtx ($210K), 469g Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. ($197K), Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC ($183K).

How does Scientist pay change with level?

Median posted pay by level read from job titles: Entry level $90K, Mid level $125K, Senior $144K, Staff $175K, Principal $183K.

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