Life Scientist Salaries Reported

Compensation of Life Scientists in the United States of America - 2003

PUBLISHED: September 2003

Summary of the 785-page Compensation of Life Scientists in the United States of America - 2003 survey report from Abbott, Langer & Associates, Inc.  The following describes the national median total cash compensation for 18 benchmark jobs, and the factors affecting salary (metropolitan area, type of employer, primary area of specialization, length of experience, and level of professional responsibility):

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The median annual income reported in a recent survey of the compensation of life scientists was $65,000, according to Dr. Steven Langer, President of Abbott, Langer & Associates, Inc., Crete, IL. The composite highest-income practitioner in this field (salary plus cash bonus and/or cash profit sharing), taking into account the size of the organization, is the President with a median income of $120,000. Far toward the other end of the income spectrum, Laboratory Assistants have a median annual income of $23,600.

E-mail invitations to participate in the survey were sent to subscribers of The Scientist magazine, to registrants on The Scientist web site who identified themselves as U.S.-based professional life scientists, to members of and subscribers to the American Institute of Biological Sciences and the American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. An invitation to participate was also printed in The Scientist. Usable responses were received from over 12,600 individuals. The results are contained in the in-depth, 785-page survey report, Compensation of Life Scientists in the United States of America - 2003, available for $375.00 through our On-Line Order Form or from Abbott, Langer & Associates, Inc., Dept. NET, 548 First St., Crete, IL 60417 (708/672-4200). Similar editions are available for Canada and the United Kingdom.

The median total cash compensation of some of the jobs included in the survey report are:

Income data are reported by region, state, and metropolitan area; type of employer; size of organization; level of education; length of experience; primary area of specialization; primary job activity; level of professional responsibility; industry or service of employer; gender; age; years since highest degree; level of supervisory/managerial responsibility; and numerous cross-tabs of the variables.

The highest median incomes are found in the Kalamazoo (MI), Ventura County (CA), San Jose (CA), and Toledo (OH) metropolitan areas (all between $98,600 and $88,500). The lowest are found in the Spokane (WA), South Bend (IN), Cedar Rapids/Waterloo (IA), and Charlottesville (VA) area (all between $37,060 and $47,500).

Compensation varies considerably from one type of employer to another. Median incomes are highest in pharmaceutical, consulting, and manufacturing firms ($89,500, $87,000, and $82,500 respectively); and lowest in primary schools ($34,970), secondary schools ($45,775), and colleges/universities granting only 2-3 year degrees ($50,006).

Life scientists with under one year of experience have a median income of $33,000, as opposed to the 30-plus-year veteran with a median income of $108,300.

By primary area of specialization, the highest median incomes are found in radiation, drug discovery/development/delivery, veterinary science, and pharmacology (all between $108,750 and $87,500). The lowest are found in general biology, molecular biology, aquatic sciences, cancer, and wildlife biology (all between $50,000 and $53,800).

Those life scientists with no supervisory responsibility have a median income of $48,000. For those supervising 10 or more professional & sub-professional employees, it is $126,500.

the 785-page survey report, Compensation of Life Scientists in the United States - 2003, described on this page for $375, with charges for shipping & handling (and IL sales tax, if applicable). The report is IN STOCK and can be shipped out within two business days. The mean, median, 1st and 3rd quartile, and 1st and 9th decile data for base salary, bonus/commission/profit sharing, and total annual cash compensation are reported for many demographic variables, including education, experience, geographic location, type and size of employer, etc. To purchase the report, use our On-Line Order Form, call 708/672-4200, email, fax, or write per the information at the bottom of this page.

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