Research Scientist Salary Overview
The Research Scientist is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $102,400. Compensation typically ranges from $56,800 for entry-level positions to $172,600 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Research Scientist in the US earns between $56,800 and $172,600 per year, with a median of $102,400.
Research Scientist Salary by Experience
Entry-level research scientists earn around $66,560, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $138,240 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $67,584 | $32/hr | $53,426 |
| Mid | $102,400 | $49/hr | $74,764 |
| Senior | $129,024 | $62/hr | $90,804 |
| Lead | $161,792 | $78/hr | $110,154 |
Research Scientist Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Research Scientist in each US state.
Pay for research scientists varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,955 | $7,834 | $75,469 | 26.3% |
| Alaska | $102,400 | $14,142 | $0 | $7,834 | $80,424 | 21.5% |
| Arizona | $102,400 | $14,142 | $2,195 | $7,834 | $78,229 | 23.6% |
| Arkansas | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,279 | $7,834 | $76,145 | 25.6% |
| California | $102,400 | $14,142 | $5,661 | $7,834 | $74,764 | 27.0% |
| Colorado | $102,400 | $14,142 | $3,846 | $7,834 | $76,579 | 25.2% |
| Connecticut | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,894 | $7,834 | $75,530 | 26.2% |
| Delaware | $102,400 | $14,142 | $5,527 | $7,834 | $74,897 | 26.9% |
| District of Columbia | $102,400 | $14,142 | $5,863 | $7,834 | $74,561 | 27.2% |
| Florida | $102,400 | $14,142 | $0 | $7,834 | $80,424 | 21.5% |
| Georgia | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,963 | $7,834 | $75,461 | 26.3% |
| Hawaii | $102,400 | $14,142 | $7,520 | $7,834 | $72,904 | 28.8% |
| Idaho | $102,400 | $14,142 | $5,092 | $7,834 | $75,332 | 26.4% |
| Illinois | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,931 | $7,834 | $75,493 | 26.3% |
| Indiana | $102,400 | $14,142 | $3,123 | $7,834 | $77,301 | 24.5% |
| Iowa | $102,400 | $14,142 | $3,891 | $7,834 | $76,533 | 25.3% |
| Kansas | $102,400 | $14,142 | $5,180 | $7,834 | $75,245 | 26.5% |
| Kentucky | $102,400 | $14,142 | $3,970 | $7,834 | $76,455 | 25.3% |
| Louisiana | $102,400 | $14,142 | $3,771 | $7,834 | $76,654 | 25.1% |
| Maine | $102,400 | $14,142 | $5,784 | $7,834 | $74,641 | 27.1% |
| Maryland | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,690 | $7,834 | $75,734 | 26.0% |
| Massachusetts | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,900 | $7,834 | $75,524 | 26.2% |
| Michigan | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,114 | $7,834 | $76,310 | 25.5% |
| Minnesota | $102,400 | $14,142 | $5,513 | $7,834 | $74,912 | 26.8% |
| Mississippi | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,235 | $7,834 | $76,190 | 25.6% |
| Missouri | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,044 | $7,834 | $76,380 | 25.4% |
| Montana | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,934 | $7,834 | $75,490 | 26.3% |
| Nebraska | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,460 | $7,834 | $75,965 | 25.8% |
| Nevada | $102,400 | $14,142 | $0 | $7,834 | $80,424 | 21.5% |
| New Hampshire | $102,400 | $14,142 | $0 | $7,834 | $80,424 | 21.5% |
| New Jersey | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,397 | $7,834 | $76,028 | 25.8% |
| New Mexico | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,023 | $7,834 | $76,402 | 25.4% |
| New York | $102,400 | $14,142 | $5,364 | $7,834 | $75,061 | 26.7% |
| North Carolina | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,034 | $7,834 | $76,390 | 25.4% |
| North Dakota | $102,400 | $14,142 | $1,712 | $7,834 | $78,712 | 23.1% |
| Ohio | $102,400 | $14,142 | $2,114 | $7,834 | $78,310 | 23.5% |
| Oklahoma | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,374 | $7,834 | $76,051 | 25.7% |
| Oregon | $102,400 | $14,142 | $8,435 | $7,834 | $71,990 | 29.7% |
| Pennsylvania | $102,400 | $14,142 | $3,144 | $7,834 | $77,281 | 24.5% |
| Rhode Island | $102,400 | $14,142 | $3,628 | $7,834 | $76,796 | 25.0% |
| South Carolina | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,926 | $7,834 | $75,498 | 26.3% |
| South Dakota | $102,400 | $14,142 | $0 | $7,834 | $80,424 | 21.5% |
| Tennessee | $102,400 | $14,142 | $0 | $7,834 | $80,424 | 21.5% |
| Texas | $102,400 | $14,142 | $0 | $7,834 | $80,424 | 21.5% |
| Utah | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,762 | $7,834 | $75,663 | 26.1% |
| Vermont | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,818 | $7,834 | $75,607 | 26.2% |
| Virginia | $102,400 | $14,142 | $5,372 | $7,834 | $75,053 | 26.7% |
| Washington | $102,400 | $14,142 | $0 | $7,834 | $80,424 | 21.5% |
| West Virginia | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,354 | $7,834 | $76,070 | 25.7% |
| Wisconsin | $102,400 | $14,142 | $4,339 | $7,834 | $76,085 | 25.7% |
| Wyoming | $102,400 | $14,142 | $0 | $7,834 | $80,424 | 21.5% |
Top Cities for Research Scientist Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for research scientists tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $112,640 |
| Boston, MA | $112,640 |
| Bethesda, MD | $112,640 |
| Newark, NJ | $112,640 |
| Washington, DC | $112,640 |
Calculate Research Scientist Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
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How to Become a Research Scientist
Becoming a research scientist typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Research Scientist Career Outlook
Employment of research scientists is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Research Scientist Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for research scientists in the US is $102,400, with a typical range from $56,800 to $172,600 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for research scientists include CA, MA, MD. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level research scientists can expect to earn around $66,560 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a research scientist can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for research scientists is approximately $49.23, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.