Biotechnology Researcher Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$93,000
national median salary
$68,000 to $121,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $98,920 for Biological Scientists, All Other (SOC 19-1029) across the United States, based on 55,850 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$60,430
25th percentile
$76,800
Median
$98,920
75th percentile
$127,670
90th percentile
$168,010
Workers surveyed
55,850
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$93,330
May 2025 release
$98,920
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 Biological Scientists, All Other (SOC 19-1029) rather than Biotechnology Researcherspecifically. 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 19-1029Highest Paying
$131,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$97,000
San Francisco, CA
Lowest Paying
$72,000
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 19-1029. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Biotechnology Researcher salary in the United States at $93,000 in 2026, within a range of $68,000 to $121,000. 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 Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $131,000, while San Francisco offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Therapeutic area focus and platform technology expertise drive the widest salary variance.
Biotechnology Researcher salary by city.
Skills that increase Biotechnology Researcher pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Biotechnology Researchers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $13,020 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$13,020 per year
≈ +$12,090 per year
≈ +$11,160 per year
≈ +$10,230 per year
≈ +$10,230 per year
≈ +$9,300 per year
≈ +$9,300 per year
≈ +$8,370 per year
What you should know.
Therapeutic area focus and platform technology expertise drive the widest salary variance. Researchers working in cell and gene therapy, mRNA, or CRISPR platforms earn 15 to 30% premiums. Company stage matters too, with late-stage biotech and big pharma paying more in base but early-stage startups offering larger equity upside.
Research associates start at $70,000 to $82,000. Senior researchers earn $92,000 to $125,000 after four to six years. Associate directors reach $130,000 to $170,000, with VP-level research leaders at biotech firms earning $200,000 to $300,000 plus equity.
Biotech firms typically offer 10 to 20% annual bonuses tied to pipeline milestones. Pre-IPO equity grants can be worth $20,000 to $100,000 or more at successful companies. Relocation packages and sign-on bonuses of $5,000 to $20,000 are common.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Biotechnology Researchers typically earn $84,000 (10% 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 Biotechnology Researcher pay.
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