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Research Scientist salary
Salary ranges for research scientists — machine learning, experimentation, modelling and applied research.
The median Research Scientist salary is $129,861, with most listings between $78,346 and $210,000, based on 59 active listings with employer-disclosed pay.
Source: Datamata Studios — methodology and update cadence.
At a glance
- Figures use the midpoint of employer-published salary_min and salary_max — not self-reported surveys or aggregator estimates.
- Based on 182 active research scientist listings in the current index.
Compensation range — Research Scientist
From 59 listings with disclosed salary fields
25th percentile
$78,346
Lower end of market
Median
$129,861
Midpoint of postings
75th percentile
$210,000
Upper-market range
| Percentile | USD |
|---|---|
| 25th | 78346 |
| Median | 129861 |
| 75th | 210000 |
Seniority mix
How research scientist listings break down by seniority level.
Skill salary premiums
Median pay when a skill appears in a research scientist listing (minimum three matches). Bar shows relative salary vs top skill.
- AI Agents$280,313
- Deep Learning$280,313
- PyTorch$280,313
- LLMs / GenAI$207,012
- Python$158,400
- Stakeholder Mgmt$158,400
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Research Scientist salary FAQ
What is the average Research Scientist salary in 2026?
The median Research Scientist salary is $129,861, with most listings falling between $78,346 (25th percentile) and $210,000 (75th percentile). This is based on 59 active job listings with employer-disclosed pay ranges.
Which skills increase Research Scientist pay the most?
AI Agents is associated with the highest median pay for research scientist listings at $280,313, followed by Deep Learning ($280,313). Premiums reflect the median salary of listings that mention each skill, with a minimum of three matched listings.
How does seniority affect Research Scientist salary?
Across current research scientist listings, mid-level roles are the most common at 59% of postings. Senior and lead positions typically sit toward the 75th percentile ($210,000), while entry-level roles cluster nearer the 25th percentile ($78,346).
How is this Research Scientist salary data calculated?
Figures use the midpoint of each employer's published salary_min and salary_max from active job listings — not self-reported surveys or third-party aggregator estimates. The data refreshes daily as new listings are indexed.
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