Press Release
7/6/2026
For more information:
Rebecca Stauffer
AAPS Communications Manager
[email protected]
AAPS Salary Survey Shows 1.4% Decrease in Base Salary in United States
Yet Average Total Compensation Higher Due to Supplemental Income
Arlington, VA—The mean annual base salary of those employed full time in the pharmaceutical sciences in the United States as of January 1, 2026, was $189,200—a 1.4% decrease from last year, according to respondents of the 2026 annual AAPS Salary Survey.
In comparison, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that overall wages and salaries in the United States increased 0.8% between December 2025 and March 2026.
Respondents were also asked about supplemental income received in 2025. This included bonuses, grants, summer teaching, consulting, etc. When added to base salary, average total compensation was $230,900—an increase of 0.6% since 2025 when average total compensation was reported as $229,500.
The AAPS Salary Survey collected data between February 5 and March 11, 2026. The majority of respondents (67%) reported that they work in private industry. Of that number, more than half work in private industry, and a third of those (35%) work for large pharma firms.
“"These findings underscore the evolving nature of careers in pharmaceutical sciences. While the modest decrease in base salary warrants attention, the overall increase in total compensation reflects the growing diversity of professional contributions across industry and academia—spanning innovation to product approval and launch,” said Meena Subramanyam, Ph.D., 2026 AAPS President. “Importantly, this survey highlights the continued demand for highly skilled scientists and the value of adaptability in a rapidly changing ecosystem. AAPS remains committed to equipping our members with the data, tools, and community needed to navigate their careers and advance the science that improves patient outcomes worldwide.”
The AAPS Salary Survey is the only survey that exclusively tracks compensation data in the pharmaceutical science sector, both inside and outside the United States. Each year, AAPS surveys its members about their salaries and related compensation information. The association has amassed more than a decade of data covering base salary as well as supplemental income, such as bonuses, summer-time work, grants, and summer teaching. Income from other professional work, such as consulting, is also tracked.
Salary data is analyzed by education level, years of experience, and career field (industry or academia).
The survey is an AAPS members-only benefit that can be accessed at www.aaps.org/salary. AAPS members have access to a Salary Calculator for full-time employees in the United States that can be used to research salaries across industry and academia. This data is used by AAPS members who are individually negotiating salaries as well as setting salary bands at a corporate level.
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American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit association of more than 7,000 scientists and professionals employed in academia, industry, regulatory, and other research related to the pharmaceutical sciences worldwide. Its mission is to advance the capacity of pharmaceutical scientists to develop products and therapies that improve global health, which members pursue through four peer-reviewed journals and various events in person and online. www.aaps.org
AAPS provides Professional Advancement resources specific to scientists working in the pharmaceutical industry at every stage of their careers. Resources include webinars, workshops, sessions at AAPS in-person events, articles in the AAPS Newsmagazine, and the annual salary survey—the only salary survey focused on pharmaceutical scientists. www.aaps.org/career-development