Surf Search specializes in life science recruiting in the New York area. As recruiters focused on this niche for many years, we have deep knowledge of life science industries, strong relationships with our partner companies, and an enormous candidate talent pool. We are recognized in the life sciences recruiting industry as recruiters who source and place highly desirable life science candidates across the country.

The Big Apple is still and always will be the most bustling city in the US. Beyond its towering skyscrapers, countless monuments and historical sites, thriving nightlife and its status as a media capital of the world, New York is also a robust job market for the medical care industry.  If you can afford the high cost of living, then we recruiters don’t have to work hard to sell you on New York.  The greater metro area is home to world-class universities like Columbia, NYU, Barnard and Fordham, countless health care and biotech incubators, and industry-leading pharmaceutical and medical device companies.

Your New York life sciences recruitment team

Trust Surf Search. We have an understanding of the life sciences job market in New York, both from the candidate’s and hiring manager’s perspective. We know how important it is to identify top biotech, healthcare, medical device and pharma talent. Our extensive regional network means top candidates AND top companies. Our detailed screening and interviewing process identifies uniquely qualified candidates who not only excel technically but are also a cultural fit for your company.

Searches we have filled

VP of AI Strategy · New York · Pharmaceuticals

Finding an AI leader who understands drug discovery

Challenge: A large pharmaceutical company wanted to build an AI team for drug discovery. Its recruiters had worked on the VP role for eight months without reaching the right candidates. The hire needed senior drug discovery experience, knowledge of AI applications in pharma and the willingness to work on site full time. The client also wanted someone who could set strategy and still write code when needed.

Solution: We approached AI candidates we already knew through previous relationships. With so few people meeting the requirements, the search depended on sustained conversations about why the opportunity was worth a move.

Timeline: Four months to shortlist; six months to fill.

Result: We filled the VP role and then helped the new leader build the team with machine learning engineers and project managers.

2026 salary guide

Budget for your next New York hire

Compare the guide’s low, median and high salary figures before setting your hiring budget.

Biotech
New York · Biotech · 2026
RoleLowMedianHigh
Chief Scientific Officer (CSO)$214,000$414,000$700,000
Clinical Specialist, Biotechnology$115,000$172,000$280,000
Epidemiologist$104,000$150,000$216,000
Genetic Counselor$115,000$152,000$190,000
Microbiologist$78,000$102,000$140,000
Quality Control Analyst, Biotechnology$82,000$110,000$148,000
Research Scientist, Biotechnology$100,000$172,000$264,000
Toxicologist$100,000$174,000$274,000
Healthcare
New York · Healthcare · 2026
RoleLowMedianHigh
Clinical Operations Manager$100,000$172,000$258,000
Family Physician / Doctor$178,000$378,000$555,000
Hospital Administrator$112,000$186,000$306,000
Medical Director, Medicine$323,000$577,000$839,000
Medical Director, Utilization Review (UR)$323,000$577,000$839,000
Nurse Case Manager$126,000$154,000$184,000
Nurse Practitioner (NP)$170,000$216,000$280,000
Physician / Doctor, General Practice$178,000$378,000$555,000
Physician / Doctor, Internal Medicine$219,000$430,000$616,000
Physician Assistant (PA)$154,000$206,000$278,000
Product Manager, Healthcare$130,000$204,000$268,000
Quality Management (QM) Director$158,000$274,000$412,000
Registered Nurse (RN)$104,000$130,000$158,000
Research Analyst, Healthcare$68,000$130,000$176,000
Medical devices
New York · Medical devices · 2026
RoleLowMedianHigh
Clinical Engineer, Medical Devices$112,000$174,000$242,000
Clinical Specialist, Medical Devices$108,000$167,000$236,000
Manufacturing Engineer, Medical Devices$106,000$148,000$198,000
Medical Device Sales Representative$88,000$152,000$236,000
Product Manager, Medical Devices$162,000$193,000$242,000
Quality Engineer, Medical Devices$118,000$160,000$202,000
Pharmaceutical
New York · Pharmaceutical · 2026
RoleLowMedianHigh
Clinical Coordinator$82,000$126,000$191,000
Clinical Manager$124,000$178,000$245,000
Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC)$89,000$118,000$152,000
Director, Quality Management, Pharmaceuticals$184,000$288,000$423,000
Medical Director, Medicine$323,000$577,000$839,000
Medical Science Liaison$186,000$314,000$399,000
Project Manager, Pharmaceuticals$126,000$186,000$268,000
Research Scientist$108,000$164,000$240,000
Sales Representative, Pharmaceuticals$108,000$180,000$234,000
What salary figures can we use to budget for a New York hire?

Surf Search’s 2026 guide publishes these median annual salary figures for New York: Chief Scientific Officer (CSO): $414,000; Quality Management (QM) Director: $274,000; Medical Device Sales Representative: $152,000; Quality Engineer, Medical Devices: $160,000; Director, Quality Management, Pharmaceuticals: $288,000; Medical Science Liaison: $314,000; Sales Representative, Pharmaceuticals: $180,000. Compare the low and high figures in the tables above as well. The roles represent different responsibilities and levels, so use the matching role as a starting point and discuss your particular assignment with our team.

Source: Surf Search Life Sciences 2026 Salary Guide. Published annual salary figures; individual offers depend on the role, experience and compensation package.

Download the full 2026 guide

Talk to a recruiter about your hiring plans

We recruit for life sciences clients and candidates across the New York region

  • Bloomfield
  • Bronx
  • Brooklyn
  • Buffalo
  • East Syracuse
  • Farmingdale
  • Franklin Lakes
  • Hartford
  • Hauppauge
  • Hicksville
  • Horseheads
  • Ithaca
  • Latham
  • New Haven
  • North Tonawanda
  • Norwich
  • Oak Hill
  • Pearl River
  • Port Washington
  • Rensselaer
  • Rochester
  • Sinking Spring
  • Stony Ridge
  • Syracuse
  • Tarrytown
  • Utica
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