Career Insights & Compensation
Navigating a career in biotechnology requires understanding not just the science, but the market value of your specific skill set. We aggregate compensation data from H1B labor condition applications, SEC filings, and user submissions to provide the most accurate salary bands in the industry.
Research & Development Roles
Base compensation bands across major US biotech hubs (Boston, SF Bay Area, San Diego). Excludes equity and sign-on bonuses.
| Title | Experience | 25th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Associate I | BS + 0-2 yrs | $65,000 | $72,000 | $80,000 |
| Senior Research Associate | BS/MS + 3-5 yrs | $85,000 | $98,000 | $115,000 |
| Scientist I | PhD + 0-2 yrs | $110,000 | $125,000 | $140,000 |
| Senior Scientist | PhD + 3-6 yrs | $135,000 | $150,000 | $170,000 |
| Principal Scientist | PhD + 7-10 yrs | $155,000 | $175,000 | $195,000 |
| Director of R&D | PhD + 10+ yrs | $190,000 | $220,000 | $250,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much equity should a Scientist I expect at a Series A startup?
Typically between 0.05% and 0.15% of fully diluted shares, depending on the specific expertise brought to the core technology.
Is a Postdoc required to reach Principal Scientist?
Increasingly, no. While a postdoc was traditionally a soft requirement, many modern startups and even mid-cap firms value industry years (which focus on drug discovery/development milestones) over academic postdoc years.