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$19.5K

$142.7K

$260.5K

How much do principal investigator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal investigator in the United States is $142,668.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,000.00 and $200,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do principal investigators make in the US?

Principal investigators in the US typically earn between $80,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on their experience, field, and the institution. Senior PIs or those in high-demand research areas may earn higher salaries, often supplemented by grants and research funding.

What are some common challenges principal investigators face when managing research teams?

Principal Investigators often encounter challenges related to balancing administrative responsibilities with hands-on research and mentorship. Managing a diverse team with varying expertise, ensuring clear communication, and securing consistent funding can be demanding. PIs are also responsible for fostering collaboration, resolving conflicts, and maintaining compliance with institutional and funding agency regulations. Successfully navigating these challenges requires strong leadership, organizational skills, and adaptability.

What is a principal investigator?

A principal investigator, or PI, is the primary representative of an organization that requests a grant. As a principal investigator, you are responsible for the preparation and completion of the research or project being funded by the grant. Your primary goal is to provide sufficient justification for the proposal or grant request to the funding entities. Other job duties include developing research strategies to gather data, analyzing and writing up a summary of the results of the research, and ensuring the project complies with all applicable laws and regulations. A PI may be required to present the results of the study to faculty, peers, and grant approvers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal investigator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Investigator, you need advanced expertise in a scientific discipline, a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent), and a proven research track record. Familiarity with grant management systems, laboratory management tools, and regulatory compliance certifications (like Good Clinical Practice) is typically required. Strong leadership, project management, and effective communication skills set outstanding Principal Investigators apart. These competencies are vital for designing innovative research, securing funding, leading teams, and ensuring ethical, high-impact study outcomes.

What is a principal investigator?

A Principal Investigator (PI) is the lead researcher responsible for the design, conduct, and management of a research project, typically within an academic or scientific setting. The PI oversees all aspects of the project, including securing funding, ensuring compliance with regulations, supervising research staff, and reporting results. They are ultimately accountable for the integrity and progress of the research, as well as the safety of any human or animal subjects involved. The PI is usually a senior scientist or faculty member with expertise in the project's subject area.

What is the difference between Principal Investigator vs Research Scientist?

AspectPrincipal InvestigatorResearch Scientist
Required credentialsAdvanced degrees (PhD or MD), research experienceMaster's or PhD, specialized research skills
Work environmentLeads research projects, manages teams, secures fundingConducts experiments, analyzes data, supports research projects
Employer and industry usageUniversities, research institutes, government agenciesUniversities, industry R&D labs, biotech companies

The main difference between a Principal Investigator and a Research Scientist lies in their roles and responsibilities. The Principal Investigator typically leads research projects, manages teams, and secures funding, while the Research Scientist focuses on conducting experiments and supporting research activities. Both roles require advanced research credentials, but the PI holds a leadership position overseeing the entire project.

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Principal Investigator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Investigator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $142,668 per year, or $68.6 per hour.

Archaeological Principal Investigator

Westwood Professional Services Inc

Broomfield, CO • On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Westwood Professional Services rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

100th of 441 rated engineering

Job description

Description:

Archaeological Principal Investigator

Westwood Professional Services, Inc.


Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking an Archaeological Principal Investigator. Westwood is a rapidly growing, multi-disciplined engineering, surveying and environmental firm that provides services across the country for the development of land and energy projects. This position offers the opportunity to perform and direct field studies, desktop reviews, technical studies, and project permitting to a variety of private renewable energy and land development clients. The successful candidate will seek opportunities for growth and work on a variety of development projects across the country. We are looking for an individual with enthusiasm about his/her work, and with a strong commitment to client service and technical excellence. This individual will directly oversee and conduct projects in a team environment, supporting existing cultural resource staff at times and working independently at other times. There will be additional emphasis on cultivating new regional clients and business development.



  • The successful candidate will have experience with background research, field surveys and technical report preparation. There will also be focus on business development as we grow Cultural Resources services throughout the region.
  • The position requires excellent communication, organizational skills, and the ability to independently conduct project tasks. Typical tasks include:
    • Cultural resources file reviews
    • Assessing site risk profiles
    • Drafting proposals and work plans
    • Leading document preparation in a team environment
    • Preparing or supervising the preparation of cultural resource technical reports
    • Coordinating with clients and sub consultants
    • Consultation with federal and state agencies
    • Direct supervision of field investigations


Requirements:

Skills and Qualifications:

  • Advanced degree in Archaeology/Anthropology
  • Meets Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards in Archaeology
  • Prefer but do not require RPA registrant
  • Ability to perform cultural resources reviews and become permitted for field investigations in multiple states.
  • 10+ years of experience as a Principal Investigator
  • 5-10 years of consulting experience minimum
  • Knowledgeable in North American archaeology
  • Knowledge and experience in the energy market as well as with NEPA, Section 106, and federal, state, and local agencies environmental review processes and requirements
  • Experience with state and federal agency and tribal consultation, and excellent reputation within the professional and regulatory communities
  • Ability to prepare scopes and costs for projects as part of business development efforts
  • Able to manage field technicians to successfully complete fieldwork
  • Excellent research and writing skills
  • Applicants should be highly self-motivated with the ability to multi-task and perform detail-oriented work
  • Demonstrable experience for successful completion of technical reports and research
  • Familiarity with GPS and GIS applications and software
  • Able to travel for project work on a regular basis (typically 2-10 days per trip). Travel will be a mix of regional and national.



About Westwood Professional Services, Inc. (Westwood)

At Westwood, our purpose is to create a better world for people through our work. We transform the energy grid, design resilient infrastructure, and develop communities that will flourish today and for future generations. With over 50 years of experience and a legacy of innovation, we stand at the forefront of our industry, dedicated to understanding the unique needs of the markets we serve.


Our approach revolves around people. We are committed to building a culture that attracts, retains, and develops high performers. Our team values relationships, innovation, dedication, initiative, and growth. We believe fostering a collaborative “One Team” mentality yields superior outcomes in everything we do.


We customize our technical capabilities and geographic reach to meet our clients where they are and help them realize their vision.


We are partners in our clients’ success, driving to provide solutions that make a lasting difference. Safety, sustainability, and operational excellence are not just facets of our work; they are intrinsic to our identity, guiding every decision we make.


We are deeply invested in the communities we serve. Through our projects and giving-back initiatives, we enrich the lives of those we serve, engage others within our industry, and create a lasting impact on communities around the world. To us, success transcends the completion of projects; it is reflected in the lives we have positively impacted by our work.

Westwood offers a full suite of competitive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution; company-paid life and AD&D insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage; and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Employees are also eligible for a 401(k) with employer match, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, and paid medical and family leave benefits in accordance with applicable state law.


Join us in creating a better world.

In 2024, Zweig Group ranked Westwood nationally at #13 and #40, respectively, on its Hot Firms and Best Firms to Work for lists. Zweig also awarded Westwood one national 1st place award for Marketing Excellence. Westwood was recently recognized as #83 in the ENR Top 500 Firms in 2024. The firm consistently ranks on the industry's top 25 lists and receives recognition for its involvement in award-winning projects nationwide.


Westwood provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diverse backgrounds strengthen our business. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Application Deadline: The anticipated application deadline for this position is July 30th, 2026. If business needs require additional time to identify qualified candidates, the application period may be extended and the posting will be updated accordingly.

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