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Life Scientists, All Other Salary in U.S.

Life Scientists, All Others in U.S. make a median of $87,800 a year, or about $42.21 an hour. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $169K for experienced workers.

AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)

$88K
Median annual
$42.21/hr
Hourly rate
$52K
Entry level (10th %)
$169K
Senior level (90th %)

So what does $88K get you in U.S.?

Estimated monthly take-home$5,846/mo
Median 2BR rent-$1,412/mo
Rent as % of take-home24.2% (within guideline)
Cost-of-living adjusted salary$87,800/yr
Monthly remaining after rent$4,434/mo
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About life scientists, all others

U.S. employed: 7,320
Category: Science
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Compensation breakdown

Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.

Bar chart showing Life Scientists, All Other salary percentiles in U.S.: 10th percentile $52,360, 25th percentile $66,340, median $87,800, 75th percentile $123,720, 90th percentile $168,860. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.10th$52K25th$66KMedian$88K75th$124K90th$169K
Bar chart showing Life Scientists, All Other salary percentiles in U.S.: 10th percentile $52,360, 25th percentile $66,340, median $87,800, 75th percentile $123,720, 90th percentile $168,860. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Entry-level life scientists, all others (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $88K.Top earners bring in $169K or more - a $117K spread from bottom to top.

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Life Scientists, All Other pay across states

Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure

StateMedian salaryvs. nationalEmployment
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 U.S. numbers change.

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Frequently asked questions

How much do life scientists, all others make in U.S.?

The median is $87,800 a year - that works out to about $42.21 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,360, and experienced life scientists, all others can clear $168,860. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.

Is $88K enough to live in U.S.?

On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,846/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 24.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.

How far does a life scientists, all other salary go in U.S.?

U.S. has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median life scientists, all other salary is worth about $87,800 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.

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