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Job outlook for associate project scientists in the United States
Are associate project scientist jobs in demand?
Associate project scientist job and salary trends over time
Associate project scientist jobs over time
Associate project scientist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 32 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 38 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 38 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 36 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 33 | 0.00% |
Average associate project scientist salary over time
Associate project scientist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $88,756 | $42.67 | +3.1% |
| 2025 | $86,118 | $41.40 | +4.7% |
| 2024 | $82,258 | $39.55 | +3.3% |
| 2023 | $79,620 | $38.28 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $78,107 | $37.55 | --2.1% |
Associate project scientist jobs by state
Most common states for associate project scientists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | 623,657 | 158 | 25% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 308 | 23% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 177 | 23% |
| 4 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 231 | 22% |
| 5 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 128 | 22% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 225 | 21% |
| 7 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 179 | 21% |
| 8 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,976 | 19% |
| 9 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,081 | 19% |
| 10 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,030 | 18% |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,150 | 17% |
| 12 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 352 | 17% |
| 13 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 312 | 16% |
| 14 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,011 | 15% |
| 15 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 904 | 15% |
| 16 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 462 | 15% |
| 17 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 261 | 15% |
| 18 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 196 | 15% |
| 19 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 415 | 14% |
| 20 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 95 | 14% |
Most common cities for associate project scientists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | 4 | 0% | $97,294 |
Associate Project Scientist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of associate project scientist experts
Loyola University New Orleans
Quinnipiac University
Curry College
University of California, Berkeley
Rutgers University
Arizona State University
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Villanova University
Case Western Reserve University
Stevenson University
Robert Morris University
Tiffin University
College of Our Lady of the Elms
Kimberlee Mix PhD
Provost Distinguished Professor of Biological SciencesLoyola University New Orleans
Biochemistry, Biophysics And Molecular Biology
What general advice would you give to an Associate Project Scientist?
Kimberlee Mix PhD: Keep looking for opportunities to grow and learn. Pursuing an advanced degree may help with earning potential, but also consider online courses in bioinformatics and other certificate programs that will give you a competitive edge.
What will help Associate Project Scientists increase their earning potential?
Kimberlee Mix PhD: Keep an open mind in your first position - it may involve repetitive lab work focused on a single technique or protocol. Learn as much as you can about the big picture of your project and know that you have an important part in it. Take advantage of down-time during incubations to socialize with your new colleagues and learn about their career journeys. Ask lots of questions and take good notes.
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.
Professor of Biomedical SciencesQuinnipiac University
Microbiological Sciences And Immunology
What Associate Project Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.: The first and foremost would be Critical Thinking. We live in a world where facts can be easily acquired, sometimes even by asking Siri/Alexa/ChatGPT/Google/etc. But critical thinking is timeless and priceless. I can ask anyone on the street what xyz is and they can look it up, but can they provide advice or interpret.
Also being a good steward towards science and being willing and able to communicate not just with peers as we are trained, but also with the public, the politicians, the board members. John Holdren*, stated that Scientists should be tithing at least 10 percent of their time to public service ... including activism. In the ever growing science denialism that is happening in our country being able to communicate science with the public is important. As Peter Hotaz states, "Anti-science propaganda is "killing Americans in unprecedented numbers,""
*Holdren is an American scientist who served as the senior advisor to President Barack Obama on science and technology issues through his roles as assistant to the president for science and technology, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and co-chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and a Research Professor in Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government
What will help Associate Project Scientists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Nicole Parsons: The evolving landscape of various industries is likely to demand a set of skills that align with technological advancements, changing workplace dynamics, and emerging trends. Some skills that are expected to become more important and prevalent in the next 3-5 years are remote collaboration, digital literacy, cybersecurity, adaptability and flexibility, and a lifelong learning mindset.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Associate Project Scientist job market given the pandemic?
Dennis Baldocchi: We received 130 applications for a plant ecology position, with 70 who are postdocs. So supply is surely outpacing demand. We got a lot of people interested in below ground processes, so if there is a trend, connecting below ground is becoming more possible and more important. With all the dna sequencing we are starting. Another cohort is working on the Earth System modeling connection to Ecology and how ecosystems are responding to land use change, changing climate etc
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Associate Project Scientist job market given the pandemic?
Jay Tischfield: In terms of the largest number of jobs, companies are hiring people familiar with medium and large-scale lab automation, quality assurance protocols and data
How have salaries changed over time for Associate Project Scientists?
Jay Tischfield: Salaries have increased for newish graduates with some experience.
How have salaries changed over time for Associate Project Scientists?
Patricia Rankin: Salaries have been trending up - but there is a wide range and it depends on the level you look at e.g Bachelor's degrees or PhD's . If you have a PhD you earn more on average but the range is also larger (the AIP has some good statistics here e.g. https://www.aip.org/taxonomy/term/152 ). Physicists are generally at the higher end of pay scales and competitive with most engineering fields (not computer science). Physics graduates are problem solvers with excellent quantitative skills that puts them in high demand which helps protect salaries.
What's a good job out of college for Associate Project Scientists?
Paul Braun Ph.D.: Most students in our major are able to find the career opportunities they desire.
What will help Associate Project Scientists increase their earning potential?
Paul Braun Ph.D.: A strong grounding in technology and the science underpinning technology is always important, as is the ability to lead teams of high performing individuals.
Dr. Joey Neilsen
Assistant ProfessorVillanova University
Physics Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Associate Project Scientist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Joey Neilsen: I think the biggest trend is going to be that employers, whether in the private sector or in academia, are likely to be more selective. This means they will be looking for additional distinguishing factors beyond completion of a particular degree program, such as internships or research experience. At Villanova, we strongly encourage our students to get involved in our research: it's great for developing analytical and professional skills, but it also helps students build career networks that can turn into letters of recommendation or job prospects down the line. Given newer uncertainties in the market, I think students should make sure to take advantage of any research opportunities they can. But Physics majors generally have strong employment prospects, and roughly 95% of Physics Bachelor's degree recipients are employed one year after graduation, according to the American Institute of Physics.
What experience really stands out on Associate Project Scientist resumes?
Glenn Starkman: For students planning to head off to graduate school, what really counts is sustained and meaningful research in collaboration with faculty.
For students looking for work, it is harder to determine what's needed. Anecdotally, what seems to matter is obtaining, and better yet, creating opportunities instead of only doing what is expected of you, and thereby doing new things that will set you apart from other job candidates.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Associate Project Scientists in the next 3-5 years?
Neil Rothman Ph.D.: Based on the past year, the rapid development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics would seem to be an area that will be very important. I am talking about developing a specific vaccine or therapeutic and the equipment and laboratory methods necessary for their product. Running a diagnostic test on an "easy to acquire" sample will be essential to enable rapid and widespread testing and diagnosis. Detection of pathogens in water and food will likely continue and potentially increase in importance as the effects of climate change impact the water supply.
I also think that the strategy behind diagnostic testing may become more critical. Rather than going for very high sensitivity and specificity, it may be more useful to have a "good" test that can be conducted more quickly and often to prevent disease spread. This directly impacts what technologies are developed and how they are applied.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Associate Project Scientists in the next 5 years?
Paul Badger Ph.D.: The demand for skilled research scientists in the healthcare industry or related industries will almost certainly grow in the next five years. There is nearly always a need for entry-level positions, such as laboratory scientists or medical laboratory technicians. The recent increase in pressures placed on the health care sector will likely lead to more hiring as testing facilities, and analytical labs are expanded.
Sami Mejri Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Science, Assistant Dean, Graduate ProgramsTiffin University
School of Arts & Sciences
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Associate Project Scientists to find work opportunities?
Sami Mejri Ph.D.: With the rising cost of living, a college graduate's ideal first job may not be in their home state or favorite vacation town. According to Business Insider, MidWestern cities like Columbus-Ohio, Cincinnati-Ohio, Madison-Wisconsin, Milwaukee-Wisconsin, and Indianapolis-Indiana were some of the best geographical areas to live for college graduates. The cost of living in these Midwestern states remains relatively lower than coastal areas, making these locations ideal for college graduates entering the workforce. However, college graduates with degrees in healthcare, computer science, and data analytics may not be limited to these geographical areas, given employers' incentives to these in-demand jobs.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Associate Project Scientists?
Janet Williams Ph.D.: I do not think that there will be an enduring impact on students concerning the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We will overcome this virus as we have other infections in the past. Students should learn to adapt to situations and make the best of the case, despite how unusual or complicated the job might be. When they look back, it will be a minor inconvenience that we should have been far more prepared for than we were.