Top 15 cities for life scientists, all other by average salary
| San Jose, CA | $152,410 |
|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $139,970 |
| Washington, DC | $139,090 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $135,570 |
| Charlotte, NC | $126,790 |
| Boston, MA | $126,430 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $126,380 |
| Durham, NC | $119,330 |
| Baltimore, MD | $116,440 |
| Portland, OR | $114,780 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $114,200 |
| New York, NY | $111,020 |
| Sacramento, CA | $107,630 |
| Seattle, WA | $103,500 |
| San Diego, CA | $93,040 |
Map: Life Scientists, All Other salary by metro area
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Life Scientists, All Other salary by state
Washington, D.C. pays other life scientists the most statewide, $174,210 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | $174,210 | $167,640 | 50 | 1 | $139,090 | $139,090 |
| South Carolina | $166,780 | $169,440 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Massachusetts | $131,800 | $125,260 | 100 | 1 | $126,430 | $126,430 |
| Arizona | $128,220 | $122,580 | n/a | 1 | $135,570 | $135,570 |
| North Carolina | n/a | n/a | n/a | 2 | $126,790 | $119,330 |
| Maryland | $121,910 | $109,700 | 420 | 1 | $116,440 | $116,440 |
| Oregon | $119,470 | $113,450 | 160 | 1 | $114,780 | $114,780 |
| California | $117,510 | $102,830 | 860 | 5 | $152,410 | $93,040 |
| Alabama | $112,420 | $110,560 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Jersey | $110,390 | $103,890 | 110 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Tennessee | $109,650 | $108,770 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Florida | $109,110 | $91,900 | 80 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Washington | $100,550 | $100,420 | 240 | 1 | $103,500 | $103,500 |
| New York | $99,780 | $86,790 | 250 | 2 | $111,020 | $78,580 |
| Virginia | $96,770 | $81,600 | 350 | 1 | $78,200 | $78,200 |
| Wisconsin | $96,060 | $85,080 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Pennsylvania | $94,010 | $83,680 | 290 | 3 | $114,200 | $80,710 |
| Ohio | $89,080 | $62,950 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Missouri | $88,490 | $79,780 | 190 | 1 | $91,100 | $91,100 |
| Louisiana | $88,280 | $76,480 | 430 | 1 | $78,360 | $78,360 |
| Alaska | $88,150 | $82,220 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Colorado | $84,230 | $66,250 | 40 | 1 | $69,190 | $69,190 |
| Indiana | $82,880 | $69,410 | 30 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Georgia | $82,600 | $83,990 | 170 | 1 | $80,310 | $80,310 |
| New Hampshire | $81,100 | $81,610 | 90 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Hawaii | $80,190 | $71,990 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Rhode Island | n/a | n/a | 90 | 1 | $77,730 | $77,730 |
| Kentucky | $77,670 | $75,670 | 100 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Texas | $77,130 | $81,230 | 510 | 2 | $87,310 | $68,880 |
| Idaho | $76,170 | $68,990 | 80 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Iowa | $75,540 | $64,270 | 110 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Michigan | $73,250 | $63,960 | 90 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Illinois | $67,660 | $66,190 | 160 | 1 | $71,050 | $71,050 |
| Minnesota | $67,320 | $64,610 | n/a | 1 | $67,490 | $67,490 |
| Puerto Rico | $50,380 | $38,430 | n/a | 1 | $45,550 | $45,550 |
Life Scientists, All Other salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $152,410 | $125,430 | $73.28 | 60 |
| San Francisco, CA | $139,970 | $134,810 | $67.29 | 170 |
| Washington, DC | $139,090 | $126,120 | $66.87 | 340 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $135,570 | $124,260 | $65.18 | 70 |
| Charlotte, NC | $126,790 | $105,370 | $60.96 | 60 |
| Boston, MA | $126,430 | $115,230 | $60.78 | 100 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $126,380 | $104,740 | $60.76 | 230 |
| Durham, NC | $119,330 | $105,850 | $57.37 | 460 |
| Baltimore, MD | $116,440 | $105,900 | $55.98 | 170 |
| Portland, OR | $114,780 | $109,580 | $55.19 | 120 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $114,200 | $96,030 | $54.91 | 100 |
| New York, NY | $111,020 | $100,600 | $53.37 | 220 |
| Sacramento, CA | $107,630 | $100,720 | $51.75 | 50 |
| Seattle, WA | $103,500 | $103,000 | $49.76 | 140 |
| San Diego, CA | $93,040 | $80,120 | $44.73 | 160 |
| St. Louis, MO | $91,100 | $75,300 | $43.80 | 130 |
| Dallas, TX | $87,310 | $89,640 | $41.97 | n/a |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $87,030 | $81,540 | $41.84 | 80 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $80,710 | $73,670 | $38.80 | 50 |
| Atlanta, GA | $80,310 | $78,640 | $38.61 | 50 |
| Albany, NY | $78,580 | $73,920 | $37.78 | 50 |
| New Orleans, LA | $78,360 | $60,200 | $37.67 | 270 |
| Richmond, VA | $78,200 | $70,050 | $37.60 | 210 |
| Providence, RI | $77,730 | $64,320 | $37.37 | n/a |
| Chicago, IL | $71,050 | $70,690 | $34.16 | 110 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $69,190 | $51,850 | $33.26 | 30 |
| Houston, TX | $68,880 | $61,440 | $33.11 | 230 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $67,490 | $64,610 | $32.45 | n/a |
| San Juan, PR | $45,550 | $38,430 | $21.90 | n/a |
Related jobs
- Food Scientists and TechnologistsU.S. average $95,360
- Biochemists and BiophysicistsU.S. average $129,840
- Zoologists and Wildlife BiologistsU.S. average $83,020
- Biological Scientists, All OtherU.S. average $106,330
- EpidemiologistsU.S. average $97,890
- Medical Scientists, Except EpidemiologistsU.S. average $116,840
- MicrobiologistsU.S. average $97,600
- Conservation ScientistsU.S. average $77,130
Life Scientists, All Other salary: questions
Where do other life scientists make the most money?
In San Jose, CA, with an average of $152,410 a year, among the 29 metro areas we cover.
What is the average other life scientists salary in the U.S.?
$107,860 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $93,750, so half of other life scientists earn more than that and half less.
What salary should other life scientists ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of other life scientists nationwide earn between $68,990 (25th percentile) and $131,910 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays other life scientists the most?
Washington, D.C., with a statewide average of $174,210 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is other life scientists pay the lowest?
San Juan, PR, at $45,550 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-1099.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.