AI Drug Discovery Scientist Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$101,000
national median salary
$74,000 to $139,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists (SOC 19-1042) across the United States, based on 172,340 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$64,800
25th percentile
$79,840
Median
$103,410
75th percentile
$139,380
90th percentile
$177,780
Workers surveyed
172,340
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$100,590
May 2025 release
$103,410
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists (SOC 19-1042) rather than AI Drug Discovery Scientistspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 19-1042Highest Paying
$137,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$105,000
Sacramento, CA
Lowest Paying
$79,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 19-1042. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average AI Drug Discovery Scientist salary in the United States at $101,000 in 2026, within a range of $74,000 to $139,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $137,000, while Sacramento offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Compensation reflects the combination of computational biology expertise and ML engineering skills.
AI Drug Discovery Scientist salary by city.
Skills that increase AI Drug Discovery Scientist pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for AI Drug Discovery Scientists based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $14,140 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$14,140 per year
≈ +$13,130 per year
≈ +$12,120 per year
≈ +$11,110 per year
≈ +$10,100 per year
≈ +$10,100 per year
≈ +$10,100 per year
≈ +$9,090 per year
What you should know.
Compensation reflects the combination of computational biology expertise and ML engineering skills. Scientists who can apply deep learning to molecular design, protein structure prediction, and ADMET modeling command premiums. Publication record in both ML and drug discovery venues adds significant value. Pharma industry experience amplifies salary above pure tech roles.
Postdoc scientists start at $110,000 to $130,000. Mid-level scientists with deployed drug discovery models reach $148,000 to $175,000. Senior scientists leading AI drug discovery programs earn $185,000 to $230,000. Directors of computational drug discovery at pharma companies can reach $260,000 to $340,000 in total compensation.
Equity at biotech AI startups can be substantial, adding $30,000 to $100,000 in annual value. Pharma companies offer bonuses of 15% to 25% tied to pipeline milestones. Some organizations provide milestone bonuses when AI-discovered compounds advance through clinical trials. Benefits typically include generous research budgets.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote AI Drug Discovery Scientists typically earn $94,000 (7% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about AI Drug Discovery Scientist pay.
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