Research Scientist
Also known as: Researcher, Lab Scientist
Conduct experiments and publish findings to advance knowledge in biology, chemistry, physics, or other fields.
Salary Range
The highest-paid specialization or seniority level for research scientists.
About 1 in 50 reaches this level
About 165K research scientists per BLS; Principal Scientist at $275K in pharma is senior, roughly 3,000-4,000 people.
Salary data based on 2025 BLS, Glassdoor, and industry reports. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
How to Become One
This career typically requires a doctoral/professional degree. Here are the top colleges for it:
AI Risk Assessment
Labs need fewer postdocs when AI handles literature reviews, data analysis, and routine experimentation. AlphaFold and similar tools have already transformed structural biology. ~30% of scientists already use AI tools, and junior scientists using AI advance 1.5 years faster — but the flip side is that AI automates the work that defined entry-level positions. For a new PhD entering academia, competition is fiercer as each PI is more productive with fewer people.
Sources
Ratings reflect a 10-year outlook based on 2025-2026 research, weighted toward entry-level impact. Individual outcomes will vary.
Related Careers
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