AI Pharmaceutical/Drug Discovery Specialist Salary.
Across 30 U.S. cities.
$182,000
national median salary
$135,000 to $240,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$246,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$189,000
Kansas City, MO
Lowest Paying
$161,000
St. Louis, MO
Salary data sourced from SEC filings, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and aggregated job postings across 50+ platforms. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated April 2026.
The average AI Pharmaceutical/Drug Discovery Specialist salary in the United States is $182,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $135,000 at the 25th percentile to $240,000 at the 75th. San Francisco pays the most at $246,000, while Kansas City offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Pay is highest at biotech companies and pharma giants with active AI drug discovery pipelines.
AI Pharmaceutical/Drug Discovery Specialist salary by city
What you should know
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.
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.