Life Scientists, All Other Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Life Scientists, All Others in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH make a median of $125,840 a year, or about $60.5 an hour. The range runs from $79K at the entry level to $153K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.27), so that salary is closer to $116,228 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,941/month — about 38.5% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $126K get you in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
About life scientists, all others
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Entry-level life scientists, all others (10th percentile) start around $79K. Mid-career wages sit at $126K.Top earners bring in $153K or more - a $74K spread from bottom to top.
Life Scientists, All Other pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $164K | +87% | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $129K | +47% | 130 |
| California | $129K | +47% | 880 |
| North Carolina | $124K | +41% | 1,060 |
| Alabama | $107K | +22% | 50 |
| Oregon | $106K | +21% | 210 |
| New Jersey | $105K | +19% | 100 |
| Arizona | $103K | +18% | 130 |
| Maryland | $99K | +13% | 380 |
| Idaho | $97K | +11% | 190 |
| Virginia | $97K | +10% | 460 |
| Washington | $96K | +9% | 240 |
| Texas | $82K | -6% | N/A |
| Georgia | $79K | -10% | 280 |
| New York | $76K | -14% | 230 |
Track life scientists, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Boston-Cambridge-Newton numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do life scientists, all others make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median is $125,840 a year - that works out to about $60.5 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $79,130, and experienced life scientists, all others can clear $153,110. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $126K enough to live in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,539/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,941/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 39% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a life scientists, all other salary go in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Boston-Cambridge-Newton has a Regional Price Parity of 108.27 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median life scientists, all other salary is worth about $116,228 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do life scientists, all others get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.