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Drug Discovery Scientist Salary in the United States

How much does a Drug Discovery Scientist make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Drug Discovery Scientist in the United States is $100,783 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.

However, a Drug Discovery Scientist's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $119,123
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $91,618 to $110,383
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $83,275
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Drug Discovery Scientist Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Drug Discovery Scientist Salaries

A Drug Discovery Scientist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Drug Discovery Scientist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Drug Discovery Scientist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $63,190
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $81,509
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $98,783
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $112,609
  • Expert (over 8 years): $121,161
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Employee Relations Specialist I less than 1 year $63,190
Employee Relations Specialist II 1-2 years $81,509
Drug Discovery Scientist 2-4 years $98,783
Employee Relations Specialist IV 5-8 years $112,609
Employee Relations Manager over 8 years $121,161

How Do Drug Discovery Scientist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Drug Discovery Scientists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $111,587.
  • California: $111,164.
  • Massachusetts: $109,682.

Top Paying Cities for Drug Discovery Scientist

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $127,118
  • San Francisco: $125,726
  • Oakland: $123,076

Drug Discovery Scientist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Drug Discovery Scientist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Drug Discovery Scientist positions in Aerospace & Defense or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Drug Discovery Scientist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Drug Discovery Scientist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $110,861 $53.0 10%

How Education impacts a Drug Discovery Scientist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Drug Discovery Scientist professionals enter the field with a Bachelor's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Drug Discovery Scientist with a Bachelor's is between $97,547 and $103,571.

Drug Discovery Scientist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Drug Discovery Scientist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 6.2%
High School 6.2%
Associate's Degree 2.5%
Bachelor's Degree 55.6%
Master's Degree or MBA 33.3%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 2.5%
View as Graph

Drug Discovery Scientist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Drug Discovery Scientist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$91,618
Average $100,783/year
$110,383
$7,635
Average $8,399/month
$9,199
$1,762
Average $1,938/week
$2,123
$44
Average $48/hour
$53
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $110,383 $9,199 $2,123 $53
Average $100,783 $8,399 $1,938 $48
25th Percentile $91,618 $7,635 $1,762 $44

Most common benefits for Drug Discovery Scientist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Drug Discovery Scientist

Here are companies hiring for Drug Discovery Scientist and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Drug Discovery Scientist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Drug Discovery Scientist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Addison Group | Ashburn, VA

    Staff Accountant

    Addison Group | Ashburn, VA

    Title. Staff Accountant. Location. Ashburn VA. Schedule. On Site. Compensation. $80,000-95,000 (depending on experience). Benefits. This position is eligib... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Just Construction Recruitment | Ashburn, VA

    Electrical Superintendent

    Just Construction Recruitment | Ashburn, VA

    About the Company. We are currently working with a market leader Electrical Contractor who focus in the mission critical space and are going through an exc... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Dulles Plumbing Group | Ashburn, VA

    Assistant Controller

    Dulles Plumbing Group | Ashburn, VA

    Dulles Plumbing Group, a VMG Company, is looking for an. Assistant Controller. to join our growing team. This is an excellent opportunity for an accounting... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Lead Service Technician

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Career Group | Ashburn, VA

    Executive Personal Assistant

    Career Group | Ashburn, VA

    Executive / Personal Assistant. Part-Time. Ashburn/Arlington, VA. A senior executive based in the Ashburn/Arlington, VA area is seeking a part-time Executi... more

    3 Days Ago

  • SeaHill Consulting Group | Ashburn, VA

    Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist

    SeaHill Consulting Group | Ashburn, VA

    Key Responsibilities. Manage the full recruitment lifecycle, including intake meetings, sourcing, candidate screening, interview coordination, offer negoti... more

    4 Days Ago

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FAQ about Drug Discovery Scientist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Drug Discovery Scientist?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Drug Discovery Scientist roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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