Salary data · BLS OEWS 2025
Research Scientist Salary in the US
A Research Scientist earns a national median of $98,920 per year. Here is how pay breaks down across US metro areas.
In Brief
Research Scientist (BLS occupation 19-1029) earns a national median of $98,920 and a mean of $106,330 per year as of 2025. The highest-paying metro is San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley at $138,160. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
National pay
Top-paying US metro areas
Ranked by median annual wage · BLS OEWS 2025
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About this data
All wages come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, 2025 release, mapped to occupation code 19-1029 (Biologists). Figures are gross annual wages before tax and reflect employees only — self-employed and freelance earnings are not included.
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How much does a Research Scientist earn in the US?▼
The national median wage for a Research Scientist is $98,920 per year (mean $106,330), per the BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics for 2025.
Which US cities pay Research Scientists the most?▼
The top-paying metro areas are San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley ($138,160), San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara ($133,790), Washington-Arlington-Alexandria ($114,920).
Where does this Research Scientist salary data come from?▼
All figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, 2025 release, occupation code 19-1029. Wages are gross annual, before tax.
Is Research Scientist a well-paid career?▼
At a median of $98,920/year, Research Scientist pay sits above the US median for all occupations. Pay varies widely by metro — see the city table above.