AI Pharmaceutical/Drug Discovery Specialist.
Providence.
$182,000
median salary, at the national average
$135,000 to $240,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A AI Pharmaceutical/Drug Discovery Specialist in Providence earns a median of $182,000 in 2026. That is right at the national average. The range runs from $135,000 to $240,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Pay is highest at biotech companies and pharma giants with active AI drug discovery pipelines.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $164,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$118,000
to $146,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$155,000
to $191,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$200,000
to $237,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$228,000
to $282,000
Salary trend
+9% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $78,000 to the total package.
Base
$182,000
Equity
$47,000
Bonus
$20,000
Signing
$11,000
Estimated total: $260,000
How Providence compares
Providence, RI
$182,000
Cost of living: 4% above average
National Average
$182,000
Same as local rate
AI Pharmaceutical/Drug Discovery Specialist salary by city
Salary by role in Providence
What you should know
The AI Pharmaceutical/Drug Discovery Specialist landscape in Providence is not what most salary sites will tell you. Providence sits between Boston and New York, benefiting from both labor markets. The city's economy is driven by healthcare, higher education, and a growing design and creative sector anchored by RISD. Defense and marine industries also contribute to the local job market. Pay is highest at biotech companies and pharma giants with active AI drug discovery pipelines. Specialists with expertise in molecular modeling, protein structure prediction, and clinical trial optimization earn top rates. PhD holders in computational biology or chemistry command significant premiums.
Junior computational biologists start around $110,000. Senior AI drug discovery specialists earn $170,000 to $210,000. Directors of computational chemistry or heads of AI research at pharma companies reach $280,000 to $380,000 with bonuses. In Providence, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Pharma bonuses typically range from 15% to 30% of base salary. Biotech equity can be transformative if molecules reach clinical milestones. Large pharma companies also offer comprehensive benefits including sabbaticals and education funding. And on the tax side: rhode Island's top income tax rate is 5.99%. Providence has no city income tax. The state rate is moderate for the Northeast, and proximity to Boston creates competitive salary pressure. When someone quotes you $182,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Reference Boston salary benchmarks. Providence employers know they compete for talent with Boston and will often offer 85 to 95% of Boston rates to attract professionals. The range for AI Pharmaceutical/Drug Discovery Specialists in Providence runs from $135,000 to $240,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Data Architect (AI/ML) in Providence earns $183,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Providence is Chief AI Officer at $332,000
Common questions.
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