What is the salary of a Life Scientist?

The typical salary range is $61,459 - $122,919 per year.

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What's the salary outlook for Life Scientist and is it growing?

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Research & DevelopmentGrowingBright Outlook

Life Scientist

Operational-level

Also known as: Collector of Aquarium Specimens, Embryologist, Forensic Scientist, Life Science Taxonomist

Research & DevelopmentBachelor's Degree

Job Description

As a Life Scientist, you investigate living organisms and their processes. You might conduct experiments in a lab, analyze data using specialized software, or observe organisms in their natural habitats. You often work with a team of researchers, using tools like microscopes and advanced instruments to uncover scientific breakthroughs. This path is ideal if you're curious, enjoy detailed scientific work, and are passionate about understanding life.

BiologyBiotechnologyBiochemistryMolecular BiologyGeneticsScienceResearchHealthcareSTEM

A Day in the Life

You arrive at the university lab building in Boston around 8:30 AM, scanning your ID badge. First, you change into your lab coat, grab your notebook, and head to your bench. You check on the cell cultures you started yesterday, observing them under an Olympus inverted microscope. The cells look healthy, which is a good start. Today’s primary task involves RNA extraction for gene expression analysis, so you begin preparing your reagents and setting up the centrifuge.

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Bright Outlook

O*NET flags this career as a Bright Outlook occupation: grows rapidly over the next decade.

Projected growth

+6.3%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

400

per year (US)

Jobs today

8,000

in 2025 → 8,500 (2035)

Typical entry education

Bachelor's degree

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook.

Future Perspective

Growing Job Market

The outlook for Life Scientists is growing rapidly, with about 400 job openings expected each year between 2025 and 2035. This field is projected to grow by 6.3%, offering good opportunities. You can advance from entry-level roles to become a Senior Research Scientist or even a Director of Research, earning a median annual wage of $93,750.

Career ladder

Often before this role

Lab Assistant
Research Technician
Biological Technician

Life Scientist

Where it can lead

Senior Research Scientist
Principal Investigator
Director of Research

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will significantly transform life sciences by accelerating data analysis, drug discovery, and personalized medicine development. It will automate routine laboratory tasks, enhance diagnostic accuracy, and allow scientists to focus on complex research questions and innovative solutions, leading to faster scientific breakthroughs.

Salary

$93,750

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position