Protein Folding Researcher Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$104,000
national median salary
$79,000 to $134,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $127,410 for Biochemists and Biophysicists (SOC 19-1021) across the United States, based on 33,830 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$74,290
25th percentile
$95,000
Median
$127,410
75th percentile
$163,460
90th percentile
$201,110
Workers surveyed
33,830
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$103,650
May 2025 release
$127,410
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 Biochemists and Biophysicists (SOC 19-1021) rather than Protein Folding 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 19-1021Highest Paying
$149,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$108,000
San Jose, CA
Lowest Paying
$84,000
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 19-1021. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Protein Folding Researcher salary in the United States at $104,000 in 2026, within a range of $79,000 to $134,000. 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 Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $149,000, while San Jose offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Protein Folding Researcher compensation is driven by publication record, domain specialization, and whether the work involves production model training or applied research.
Protein Folding Researcher salary by city.
Skills that increase Protein Folding Researcher pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Protein Folding Researchers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $14,560 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$14,560 per year
≈ +$13,520 per year
≈ +$12,480 per year
≈ +$11,440 per year
≈ +$11,440 per year
≈ +$10,400 per year
≈ +$10,400 per year
≈ +$9,360 per year
What you should know.
Protein Folding Researcher compensation is driven by publication record, domain specialization, and whether the work involves production model training or applied research. Base salary carries most of the total compensation, with bonuses adding roughly 8% in a typical year. Within scientific roles, the employer type (national lab, pharma, tech company, academic) drives the largest variance in total compensation structure.
Protein Folding Researchers progress Postdoc → Staff → Principal → Senior Principal → Fellow over 10 to 20 years. Industry paths compress timelines; academic paths are gated by tenure. Publication record is the primary gate at every level.
Total compensation for Protein Folding Researchers runs roughly $200K at median when factoring base + typical bonus (~8% of base). Base salary carries most of the compensation; benefits (healthcare, 401(k) match, PTO) add an estimated 15–25% in imputed value on top. Benefits and time-off policies vary by employer; candidates should factor them into offer comparisons alongside cash compensation.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Protein Folding Researchers typically earn $94,000 (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 Protein Folding Researcher pay.
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