Life Scientist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Life Scientists Make?
Life Scientists earn a median annual salary of $87,800 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $52,360 at the 10th percentile to $168,860 at the 90th percentile — a range of $116,500. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $164,260.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $52,360 |
| 25th percentile | $66,340 |
| Median (50th) | $87,800 |
| 75th percentile | $123,720 |
| 90th percentile | $168,860 |
Life Scientist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $164,260 |
| Massachusetts | $129,210 |
| California | $128,750 |
| North Carolina | $123,500 |
| Alabama | $107,050 |
| Oregon | $106,370 |
| New Jersey | $104,500 |
| Arizona | $103,460 |
| Maryland | $99,320 |
| Idaho | $97,020 |
| Virginia | $96,970 |
| Washington | $95,640 |
| Texas | $82,430 |
| Georgia | $79,180 |
| New York | $75,900 |
| Hawaii | $75,000 |
| Louisiana | $73,870 |
| Kentucky | $73,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $72,800 |
| Minnesota | $70,400 |
| Alaska | $68,880 |
| Connecticut | $68,700 |
| Montana | $63,330 |
| North Dakota | $60,730 |
| Michigan | $60,500 |
| Illinois | $54,170 |
| Ohio | $51,220 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Life Scientists
Life Scientist 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 level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$52,360 – $66,340 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$87,800 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$123,720 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $168,860+ |
How to Earn More as a Life Scientist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Life Scientists in Raleigh-Cary, NC earn $131,110 — $43,310 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 ($123,720) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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SOC: 19-1099.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.