Skip to content
AffordMap
Science

Life Scientists, All Other Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Life Scientists, All Others in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA make a median of $102,150 a year, or about $49.11 an hour. The range runs from $69K at the entry level to $127K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $91,919 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,501/month — about 36.6% of take-home, which is tight.

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

$102K
Median annual
$49.11/hr
Hourly rate
$69K
Entry level (10th %)
$127K
Senior level (90th %)

So what does $102K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?

Take-home$6,687/mo
2BR rent (FMR)-$2,501/mo
Rent burden37.4% (above 30%)
COL-adjusted salary$91,919/yr
After rent$4,186/mo
See how this compares in other cities →

About life scientists, all others

U.S. employed: 130
Category: Science
Browse accounting and finance jobs
Currently hiring in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
View (opens in new tab)

Compensation breakdown

Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Bar chart showing Life Scientists, All Other salary percentiles in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA: 10th percentile $69,020, 25th percentile $80,100, median $102,150, 75th percentile $113,090, 90th percentile $126,570. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.10th$69K25th$80KMedian$102K75th$113K90th$127K
Bar chart showing Life Scientists, All Other salary percentiles in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA: 10th percentile $69,020, 25th percentile $80,100, median $102,150, 75th percentile $113,090, 90th percentile $126,570. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Entry-level life scientists, all others (10th percentile) start around $69K. Mid-career wages sit at $102K.Top earners bring in $127K or more - a $58K spread from bottom to top.

Share

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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.

Prepare for the CPA exam
Online prep courses
View (opens in new tab)
Would this salary go further somewhere else?
Compare your purchasing power across cities
Compare →
How do you get into this field?
Education, licensing, and what the career path looks like
Read guide →

Related careers in Science

Frequently asked questions

How much do life scientists, all others make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

The median is $102,150 a year - that works out to about $49.11 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $69,020, and experienced life scientists, all others can clear $126,570. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.

Is $102K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?

On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,687/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 37.4% 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (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 $91,919 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.

All careers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue
Top-paying jobs, rent, and cost of living
Location hub →