Life scientists, all other salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $93,750 | $45.07 |
| Mean (average) | $107,860 | $51.86 |
| 90th percentile | $186,260 | $89.55 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Life scientists, all other pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 34 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $110,560 | $80,110 | $148,920 | 50 | 0.51 |
| Alaska | $82,220 | $55,300 | $123,910 | 40 | 2.84 |
| Arizona | $122,580 | $104,990 | $196,210 | ||
| California | $102,830 | $62,910 | $187,550 | 860 | 0.99 |
| Colorado | $66,250 | $42,140 | $161,990 | 40 | 0.31 |
| District of Columbia | $167,640 | $87,670 | $241,300 | 50 | 1.57 |
| Florida | $91,900 | $62,810 | $174,990 | 80 | 0.16 |
| Georgia | $83,990 | $48,980 | $110,950 | 170 | 0.7 |
| Hawaii | $71,990 | $62,020 | $98,990 | 50 | 1.66 |
| Idaho | $68,990 | $54,690 | $106,720 | 80 | 1.85 |
| Illinois | $66,190 | $52,790 | $75,460 | 160 | 0.53 |
| Indiana | $69,410 | $42,280 | $127,350 | 30 | 0.21 |
| Iowa | $64,270 | $63,160 | $100,500 | 110 | 1.47 |
| Kentucky | $75,670 | $68,190 | $87,330 | 100 | 1.03 |
| Louisiana | $76,480 | $54,190 | $169,430 | 430 | 4.68 |
| Maryland | $109,700 | $83,160 | $171,020 | 420 | 3.14 |
| Massachusetts | $125,260 | $83,200 | $195,190 | 100 | 0.55 |
| Michigan | $63,960 | $63,960 | $97,630 | 90 | 0.43 |
| Minnesota | $64,610 | $41,120 | $102,950 | ||
| Missouri | $79,780 | $66,720 | $113,560 | 190 | 1.32 |
| New Hampshire | $81,610 | $63,860 | $104,990 | 90 | 2.87 |
| New Jersey | $103,890 | $83,200 | $146,490 | 110 | 0.53 |
| New York | $86,790 | $61,970 | $159,970 | 250 | 0.53 |
| Ohio | $62,950 | $46,550 | $162,690 | 50 | 0.18 |
| Oregon | $113,450 | $76,510 | $186,050 | 160 | 1.65 |
| Pennsylvania | $83,680 | $62,400 | $167,380 | 290 | 0.99 |
| Puerto Rico | $38,430 | $29,990 | $70,410 | ||
| Rhode Island | Data unavailable | 90 | 3.89 | ||
| South Carolina | $169,440 | $112,400 | $204,940 | ||
| Tennessee | $108,770 | $98,020 | $121,330 | 40 | 0.24 |
| Texas | $81,230 | $36,550 | $107,830 | 510 | 0.75 |
| Virginia | $81,600 | $59,870 | $141,550 | 350 | 1.77 |
| Washington | $100,420 | $64,740 | $125,460 | 240 | 1.4 |
| Wisconsin | $85,080 | $67,380 | $143,440 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for life scientists, all other
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 400. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for life scientists, all other
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
Highest education of people working in this occupation
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General CIP 26.0101
- Ecology CIP 26.1301
- Ecology, Evolution, Systematics and Population Biology, Other CIP 26.1399
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other CIP 26.9999
- Behavioral Sciences CIP 30.1701
- Natural Sciences CIP 30.1801
- Nutrition Sciences CIP 30.1901
- Geobiology CIP 30.4301
- Behavioral Neuroscience CIP 42.2706
- Rehabilitation Science CIP 51.2314
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do life scientists, all other make?
The national median annual wage for life scientists, all other was $93,750 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $58,670 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $186,260. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do life scientists, all other need?
BLS lists bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and none on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is life scientists, all other a growing career?
BLS projects employment of life scientists, all other to change +6.3% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 400 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay life scientists, all other the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were South Carolina ($169,440), District of Columbia ($167,640), Massachusetts ($125,260). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.