Research Summary. Utilizing publicly available government data and insights from numerous job postings, our Zippia data experts have pinpointed a range of lucrative positions within Merck, along with their average annual salaries. Based on this dataset, our team has generated salary estimates for various roles at Merck.
Here’s a concise overview of our findings regarding the highest-paying jobs at Merck in 2026:
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Director tops the list as the highest-paying role at Merck, offering an average salary of $171,414, equating to an hourly rate of $82.41.
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The second highest-paying position is Medical Science Liaison, with an average salary of $139,520.
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The overall average salary for employees at Merck is $90,328 annually, translating to an hourly wage of $43.43.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Many individuals have a particular company in mind when contemplating their career path, sometimes even before determining their desired job role. If you aspire to join Merck, understanding the highest-paid positions within the company can be beneficial in evaluating your application strategy.
So, what can you expect in terms of salaries for Merck employees? Like any corporate entity, salaries at Merck vary based on role, experience level, and geographic location. However, certain roles consistently command higher salaries. Below are some of the top-paying positions at Merck:
Below is a comprehensive table showcasing the highest-paying jobs at Merck, followed by an explanation of our methodology.
Highest Paying Jobs At Merck
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Director | |
| 2 | Medical Science Liaison | |
| 3 | Project Manager | |
| 4 | Human Resources Business Partner | |
| 5 | Biometrician | |
| 6 | Professional Representative | |
| 7 | Team Leader | |
| 8 | Business Analyst | |
| 9 | Systems Administrator | |
| 10 | District Sales Manager | |
| 11 | Associate Principal Scientist | |
| 12 | Hadoop Developer | |
| 13 | Biotechnician | |
| 14 | Cognos Developer | |
| 15 | Senior Specialist | |
| 16 | Senior Scientist | |
| 17 | Data Management Specialist | |
| 18 | Account Executive | |
| 19 | Consultant | |
| 20 | Validation Engineer |
Methodology
Zippia derives its salary estimates from publicly available data sourced from government entities like the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Our data science team also reviews job postings and company-provided resources for the most current salary information.
After gathering the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title for which a salary is estimated. For further details on our salary estimation process, check out our detailed methodology.
Highest Paying Jobs At Merck FAQs
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What is the highest-paid job at Merck?
The highest-paid job at Merck is a director. This role commands an average salary of $171,414, roughly translating to $82.41 per hour.
The top 10 highest-paid positions at Merck include:
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What is a good salary at Merck?
A good salary at Merck is above $90,328 per year. The average annual salary for employees is $90,328, so earning more than this typically indicates strong performance.
It’s important to note that $90,328 may fall short for some roles, so it’s essential to research the average salaries for your specific position and experience level. If you find that you’re earning below the average, consider negotiating for a raise or exploring opportunities to advance into a higher salary bracket.
Your salary can also vary by location, as Merck, like many companies, adjusts its pay scales to reflect the cost of living differences across states. For instance, a Merck employee in California will likely earn more than their counterparts in the Midwest.
Be sure to review the average salaries of Merck employees in your region to assess how your compensation compares.
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Do jobs at Merck pay well?
Yes, jobs at Merck offer competitive pay. The average starting salary at Merck is approximately $56,000 annually, or $26.92 per hour. Overall, the average salary at Merck is $90,328 per year ($43.43 per hour), which is 2.0 times the average national salary of around $44,225 per year.
In comparison, AbbVie, a key competitor of Merck, pays its employees an average salary of $107,969 annually, or $51.91 per hour. This represents a difference of approximately $17,641 compared to Merck’s average salary, and $8.48 more per hour than Merck’s average hourly pay.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
