Conduct original research to advance knowledge in a specific scientific discipline. Median salary in Kansas City: $93K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Figures represent annual base salary in Kansas City, Missouri. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →
Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.
Research Scientists in Kansas City earn approximately 5% lower than the US national median for this role — a $5,000 discount on annual base salary. Kansas City's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 90 (US avg = 100).
Adjusted for Kansas City's cost-of-living index (90), the median Research Scientist salary buys the equivalent of $103,333 in a US-average-cost city. That's $5,333 more purchasing power than the national median — a meaningful real-wage advantage.
Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $93K by 2030.
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The median Research Scientist salary in Kansas City, MO is $93,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Kansas City–MO metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.
Entry-level Research Scientists in Kansas City with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $68,000 and $93,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $93,000 to $125,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $125,000 to $166,000 or more.
Kansas City has a cost of living index of 90 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 10% further in Kansas City than the national average. Missouri has a 5.3% state income tax rate.
PhD in relevant science field. 40% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.