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Principal research scientist demographics and statistics in the US

Principal research scientist demographics research summary. Zippia estimates principal research scientist demographics and statistics in the United States by using a database of 30 million profiles. Our principal research scientist estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. Zippia's data science team found the following key facts about principal research scientists after extensive research and analysis:

  • There are over 14,870 principal research scientists currently employed in the United States.
  • 21.3% of all principal research scientists are women, while 78.7% are men.
  • The average principal research scientist age is 40 years old.
  • The most common ethnicity of principal research scientists is White (53.5%), followed by Asian (26.4%), Hispanic or Latino (9.6%) and Black or African American (6.3%).
  • Principal research scientists are most in-demand in South San Francisco, CA.
  • The start-up industry is the highest-paying for principal research scientists.
  • 8% of all principal research scientists are LGBT.
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Principal research scientist demographics by:

Principal research scientist gender statistics

21.3% of principal research scientists are women and 78.7% of principal research scientists are men.
  • Male, 78.7%
  • Female, 21.3%

Principal research scientist gender ratio

GenderPercentages
Male78.7%
Female21.3%

Principal research scientist gender pay gap

Women earn $1.00 for every $1 earned by men

male-income
Male income
$123,965
female-income
Female income
$124,522

Principal research scientist gender ratio over time

This data breaks down the percentage of men and women in principal research scientist positions over time. Currently, 21.3% of principal research scientists are female.
Male
Female
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021

Principal research scientist gender ratio by year

YearMaleFemale
201081.57%18.43%
201179.27%20.73%
201283.17%16.83%
201380.29%19.71%
201480.94%19.06%
201581.49%18.51%
201678.52%21.48%
201780.10%19.90%
201879.20%20.80%
201978.01%21.99%
202077.87%22.13%
202178.74%21.26%

Principal research scientist related jobs gender ratio

We compared principal research scientists with similar job titles to see how gender ratios vary. As you can see, procurement forester and field agronomist have the biggest gender ratio gaps.

Job titleMaleFemale
Animal Behaviorist18%82%
Chronic Disease Epidemiologist25%75%
Collector Of Aquarium Specimens27%73%
Principal Research Scientist79%21%
Forestry Consultant93%7%
Field Agronomist94%6%
Procurement Forester95%5%

Principal research scientist demographics by race

The most common ethnicity among principal research scientists is White, which makes up 53.5% of all principal research scientists. Comparatively, 26.4% of principal research scientists are Asian and 9.6% of principal research scientists are Hispanic or Latino.
  • White, 53.5%
  • Asian, 26.4%
  • Hispanic or Latino, 9.6%
  • Black or African American, 6.3%
  • Unknown, 4.1%
  • American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%

Principal research scientist race

Principal research scientist racePercentages
White53.5%
Asian26.4%
Hispanic or Latino9.6%
Black or African American6.3%
Unknown4.1%
American Indian and Alaska Native0.1%

Principal research scientist race and ethnicity over time

See how principal research scientist racial and ethnic diversity trended since 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau data.

Principal research scientist race and ethnicity by year

YearWhiteBlack or African AmericanAsianHispanic or Latino
201056.70%5.17%28.98%6.61%
201155.45%5.60%29.45%7.26%
201256.27%5.39%28.62%7.01%
201356.86%5.49%27.22%7.75%
201456.54%5.83%27.83%6.77%
201556.66%5.27%28.62%6.72%
201656.02%5.06%27.42%8.91%
201756.16%5.93%26.91%7.83%
201855.27%5.68%27.77%7.96%
201956.66%5.33%26.98%8.34%
202054.79%4.94%27.26%9.24%
202153.46%6.33%26.42%9.55%

Principal research scientist wage gap by race

According to our data, white principal research scientists have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. Hispanic or latino principal research scientists have the lowest average salary at $120,589.
$127,000
$125,000
$123,000
$121,000
$119,000
Unknown
White
Black or African American
Asian
Hispanic or Latino
EthnicitySalary
Unknown$123,465
White$126,218
Black or African American$123,992
Asian$125,640
Hispanic or Latino$120,589

Average principal research scientist age

See how the average age of principal research scientists varies based on ethnicity and gender.
Male
Female

Principal research scientist age by race and gender

RaceMale ageFemale age
Unknown4034
White3939
Black or African American38.540
Asian4038
Hispanic or Latino3736

Principal research scientist age breakdown

The average age of principal research scientists is 40+ years years old, representing 47% of the principal research scientist population.

40+ years

30-40 years

20-30 years


Principal research scientist age breakdown

Principal Research Scientist YearsPercentages
40+ years47%
30-40 years39%
20-30 years14%

Principal research scientist educational attainment

The most common degree for principal research scientists is bachelor's degree, with 53% of principal research scientists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are doctoral degree degree at 29% and doctoral degree degree at 16%.
  • Bachelor's, 53%
  • Doctorate, 29%
  • Master's, 16%
  • Associate, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 0%

Principal research scientists by degree level

Principal research scientist degreePercentages
Bachelor's53%
Doctorate29%
Master's16%
Associate2%
Other Degrees0%

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Principal research scientist wage gap by degree level

According to the data, principal research scientists with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $129,679 annually. With a Master's degree, principal research scientists earn a median annual income of $123,186 compared to $120,662 for principal research scientists with an Bachelor's degree.
$131,000
$129,000
$127,000
$125,000
$123,000
$121,000
$119,000
Master's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Doctorate Degree
EducationSalary
Master's Degree$123,186
Bachelor's Degree$120,662
Doctorate Degree$129,679

Principal research scientist employment statistics

Most principal research scientists work for a public in the pharmaceutical industry.

Company size where principal research scientists work

Below, you can see the size of companies where principal research scientists work.

< 50 employees

50 - 100 employees

100 - 500 employees

500 - 1,000 employees

1,000 - 10,000 employees

> 10,000

Principal research scientist jobs by employer size

Company sizePercentages
< 50 employees5%
50 - 100 employees9%
100 - 500 employees13%
500 - 1,000 employees5%
1,000 - 10,000 employees27%
> 10,000 employees41%

Principal research scientist jobs by company type

Employees with the principal research scientist job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most principal research scientists prefer to work at public companies over private companies.

Education

Public

Private

Government

Principal research scientist jobs by sector

Company typePercentages
Education8%
Public47%
Private42%
Government2%

Principal research scientist jobs by industry

The most common industries for principal research scientists are pharmaceutical, technology and manufacturing.

Fortune 500

Pharmaceutical

Technology

Manufacturing

Health Care

Principal research scientist turnover and employment statistics

Principal research scientist unemployment rate over time

The unemployment rate for principal research scientists between 2008 and the most recent data has varied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Principal research scientist unemployment rate by year

YearPrincipal research scientist unemployment rate
20102.36%
20112.60%
20123.20%
20132.82%
20142.34%
20152.18%
20162.71%
20172.30%
20182.40%
20191.58%
20202.14%
20211.42%

Average principal research scientist tenure

The average principal research scientist stays at their job for 1-2 years, based on the 482 principal research scientists resumes in Zippia's database.

Less than one year

1-2 years

3-4 years

5-7 years

8-10 years

11+ years

Principal research scientist tenure statistics

Number of yearsPercentages
Less than 1 year3%
1-2 years30%
3-4 years20%
5-7 years18%
8-10 years10%
11+ years20%

Principal research scientist LGBT ratio compared to similar jobs

Review the percent of principal research scientists that are members of the LGBT community. You can see how this compares to similar jobs in the chart below.
Job titleLGBTJob openings
Interpretive Naturalist8.40%122
Principal Research Scientist8.45%-
Cell Biologist9.74%24,079
Agronomist19.06%208

Similar principal research scientist jobs LGBT demographics

ProfessionPercentages of LGBT Job openings
Interpretive Naturalist8.40%122
Cell Biologist9.74%24,079
Agronomist19.06%208

Foreign languages spoken by principal research scientists

The most common foreign language among principal research scientists is French at 21.1%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is Chinese at 10.5% and German is the third-most popular at 10.5%.
  • French, 21.1%
  • Chinese, 10.5%
  • German, 10.5%
  • Japanese, 10.5%
  • Spanish, 10.5%
  • Other, 36.9%

Principal research scientist languages spoken

Foreign languagePercentages
French21.1%
Chinese10.5%
German10.5%
Japanese10.5%
Spanish10.5%
Other36.9%

Principal research scientist jobs

Principal research scientist location demographics

Where do principal research scientists earn the most?

Principal research scientists earn the most in California, where the average principal research scientist salary is $157,984. The map here shows where principal research scientists earn the highest salaries in the U.S. The darker areas across the 50 states highlight the highest salaries.
Average salary

Which city has the most Principal Research Scientists?

By looking through more than 482 resumes, we found that the most popular places for principal research scientists are Columbus, OH and Pearl River, NY.
Number of Principal Research Scientists

Principal research scientist jobs by state

RankStateNumber of jobsAverage salary
1California4,122$157,984
2New York3,429$97,924
3Texas3,274$95,041
4Massachusetts3,070$111,322
5Florida2,839$106,509
6Pennsylvania2,540$111,592
7Virginia2,435$103,004
8Illinois2,361$101,864
9New Jersey2,095$119,084
10Maryland1,919$99,340
11North Carolina1,854$101,390
12Washington1,750$124,066
13Colorado1,496$95,994
14Ohio1,446$86,821
15Georgia1,317$75,011
16Minnesota1,238$112,803
17Arizona1,222$123,215
18Oregon1,084$122,664
19Michigan1,046$91,674
20Wisconsin964$111,348
21Missouri894$80,734
22Tennessee779$112,638
23Connecticut732$117,856
24Indiana628$112,690
25South Carolina479$84,720
26Utah439$95,019
27Alabama413$87,968
28New Hampshire410$96,312
29Kentucky395$82,956
30New Mexico387$96,543
31Kansas387$83,451
32Iowa370$67,317
33Rhode Island362$102,275
34Nebraska338$75,776
35Arkansas332$91,365
36Oklahoma296$93,683
37Idaho291$89,923
38Louisiana291$95,357
39Nevada276$134,286
40Delaware272$111,557
41Vermont239$103,418
42Montana232$129,825
43West Virginia212$94,230
44South Dakota199$91,475
45Maine191$125,563
46District of Columbia188$110,991
47Mississippi186$82,249
48North Dakota146$84,347
49Hawaii128$117,397
50Wyoming121$97,687
51Alaska91$151,514

Where are principal research scientists in high demand?

Principal research scientists are in high demand in South San Francisco, CA. There are currently 24 job openings for principal research scientists here. We looked over job openings to determine where in the country principal research scientists are in the most demand.
Jobs openings

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