How to Become a Research Scientist?

Are you thinking of becoming a Research Scientist or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Research Scientist, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Research Scientist job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.

Research Scientist Career Path

Research Scientist

Alias: Associate Research Scientist, Assistant Research Scientist...(3)
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80% advanced to
2 - 4Years of Experience
$60K - $100K /yrAvg. Annual Salary
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80% advanced to

Senior Research Scientist

Alias: Research Scientist III, Journeyman Research Scientist
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2 - 4Years of Experience
$90K - $150K /yrAvg. Annual Salary
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Adjunct Research Scientist

Alias: Research Scientist IV, Staff Research Scientist...(4)
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No Years of Experience Reports
Not Enough Salary Reports
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Salary Trajectory

Research Scientist Career Path

Research Scientist I
Research Scientist
Senior Research Scientist
Adjunct Research Scientist
Senior Manager of Research
Principal Research Scientist
Senior Principal Research Scientist
Associate Director of Research
Director of Research
Senior Director of Research
Vice President of Research
Chief Research Scientist
$0
$46K
$92K
$138K
$230K

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Important Skill Sets for the Research Scientist Career Path

PHD
Statistics
Machine Learning
Excellent Communication

Related careers in the Research & Science Industry

Interested in other Research & Science careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Research Scientist skills. Discover some of the most common Research Scientist career transitions, along with skills overlap.

Research Chemist
0% skills overlap
12% transitioned to Research Chemist