Typical local-market pay: $85,000/year (Verified BLS OES May 2024 · Doximity 2025 · NALP 2025 · Levels.fyi). Lifestyle equivalent of a New York $85,000 salary: $85,000/year (COLI-scaled, not market pay). COLI rank #3 of 113.
COLI-scaled lifestyle-equivalent range for a research scientist in New York (NYC baseline × COLI 100 / 100). This is not local market pay.
Highest COLI-scaled lifestyle equivalents (not local market pay):
| City | Local market | Lifestyle equivalent | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich | CHF 49,587 | CHF 84,297 | 64% |
| Geneva | CHF 49,587 | CHF 81,680 | 60% |
| San Francisco | $85,000 | $82,960 | 67% |
| Singapore | S$60,902 | S$97,111 | 77% |
| London | £67,846 | £56,005 | 69% |
Sponsored
Send money internationally at the real exchange rate. Save up to 6x vs traditional banks.
Try Wise for Free →Local-market pay for a research scientist in New York is approximately $85,000/year (Verified · BLS OES May 2024 · Doximity 2025 · NALP 2025 · Levels.fyi). Separately, the lifestyle equivalent of a New York $85,000 salary is $85,000 (COLI 100, NYC = 100). That equivalent is not what someone earns locally. COLI-scaled entry/senior lifestyle equivalents: $45,000 – $155,000.
After income tax and social contributions in United States, a research scientist in New York takes home approximately 66% of their gross salary, or around $4,668/month ($56,015/year in USD equivalent).
New York ranks #3 out of 113 cities on COLI-scaled lifestyle equivalent for research scientists (not local market rank). The top city on that equivalent scale is Zurich.