$150,000
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
/ year
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
10%
$77k
MEDIAN
$150k
90%
$192k
The average salary for a Chief Scientist is $150,000 in 2025
Base Salary
$77k - $192k
Bonus
$2k - $25k
Profit Sharing
$8k - $88k
Total Pay
$78k - $282k
Is Average Chief Scientist with Material Science Skills Salary your job title? Find out what you should be paid
Use our tool to get a personalized report on your market worth.What's this?
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What Do Chief Scientists Do?
Chief Scientist Tasks
- Lead research, set themes, and priorities and oversee objectives.
- Construct and direct prototyping and materials management for the research team.
- Complete, update, revise, and document budgets.
Find your market worth – how it works:
Common Health Benefits for a Chief Scientist
Medical
100%
Dental
100%
Vision
100%
Gender Breakdown for Chief Scientists
Male
100.0%
This data is based on 7 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
FAQs About Chief Scientists
What is the highest pay for Chief Scientists?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Chief Scientist is $192k / year
What is the lowest pay for Chief Scientists?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Chief Scientist is $77k / year
How can Chief Scientists increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Chief Scientist is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Chief Scientist that oversees more junior Chief Scientists, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.