Life, Physical, and Social Science Technician Salary in 2026

    SOC: 19-4099.00 · BLS OEWS 2026 · Updated March 2026
    Median Annual
    $60,130
    per year
    Salary Range
    $37K – $102K
    P10–P90
    Total Jobs
    71,400
    employed
    Job Growth
    +3.5%
    2024–2034
    Section 01

    How Much Do Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians Make?

    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians earn a median annual salary of $60,130 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $37,310 at the 10th percentile to $101,870 at the 90th percentile — a range of $64,560. The highest-paying state is California at $75,780.

    PercentileAnnual salary
    10th percentile$37,310
    25th percentile$46,270
    Median (50th)$60,130
    75th percentile$77,990
    90th percentile$101,870
    10th: $37,310Median: $60,13090th: $101,870
    Section 02

    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technician Salary by State

    Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.

    StateMedian salary
    Californiatop$75,780
    Oklahoma$73,940
    Connecticut$72,090
    District of Columbia$70,680
    Washington$70,650
    Alaska$68,600
    Maryland$67,040
    North Carolina$66,090
    North Dakota$65,800
    Georgia$65,070
    Vermont$63,960
    Massachusetts$62,610
    New York$62,500
    Colorado$62,180
    Kansas$61,740
    Wyoming$61,740
    Indiana$61,610
    Virginia$61,470
    Rhode Island$61,160
    Kentucky$60,340
    West Virginia$60,250
    South Carolina$59,900
    Maine$59,690
    Mississippi$59,600
    Pennsylvania$58,590
    New Hampshire$57,880
    Florida$57,840
    New Mexico$57,180
    New Jersey$56,950
    Oregon$55,890
    Illinois$54,720
    Arkansas$54,290
    Nevada$53,990
    Alabama$53,910
    Missouri$52,400
    Utah$52,400
    Nebraska$52,000
    Michigan$51,400
    Montana$50,510
    Texas$48,550
    Louisiana$48,240
    Idaho$47,870
    Tennessee$47,520
    Arizona$47,330
    Minnesota$47,130
    Ohio$46,540
    Hawaii$45,710
    Wisconsin$44,120
    Iowa$44,040
    South Dakota$41,250
    Section 03

    Highest-Paying Metros for Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians

    Oklahoma City, OK
    Highest paying
    $106,850
    top metro salary
    Spartanburg, SC
    $105,350
    $-1,500 vs highest
    Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
    $86,350
    $-20,500 vs highest
    Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
    $81,030
    $-25,820 vs highest
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
    $80,100
    $-26,750 vs highest
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
    $78,020
    $-28,830 vs highest
    California
    $75,780
    $-31,070 vs highest
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
    $75,670
    $-31,180 vs highest
    Section 04

    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technician Salary by Experience

    Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.

    Experience levelEstimated salary
    Entry level (0–2 yrs)~$37,310 – $46,270
    Mid career (3–7 yrs)~$60,130
    Experienced (8–15 yrs)~$77,990
    Senior (15+ yrs)$101,870+
    Section 05

    How to Earn More as a Life, Physical, and Social Science Technician

    Location is the single biggest salary lever: Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians in Oklahoma City, OK earn $106,850 — $46,720 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($77,990) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.

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    Section 07

    Frequently Asked Questions

    SOC: 19-4099.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.