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Job outlook for formulation scientists in the United States
Are formulation scientist jobs in demand?
Formulation scientist job and salary trends over time
Formulation scientist jobs over time
Formulation scientist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 270 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 314 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 316 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 299 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 278 | 0.00% |
Average formulation scientist salary over time
Formulation scientist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $90,067 | $43.30 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $87,390 | $42.01 | +4.7% |
| 2023 | $83,473 | $40.13 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | $80,796 | $38.84 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $79,260 | $38.11 | --2.1% |
Formulation scientist jobs by state
Most common states for formulation scientists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,846 | 27% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 165 | 17% |
| 3 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 115 | 17% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 994 | 16% |
| 5 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,145 | 13% |
| 6 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 109 | 13% |
| 7 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,054 | 12% |
| 8 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 781 | 11% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 154 | 11% |
| 10 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 85 | 11% |
| 11 | Vermont | 623,657 | 70 | 11% |
| 12 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,002 | 10% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 105 | 10% |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,160 | 9% |
| 15 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 378 | 9% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 311 | 9% |
| 17 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 182 | 9% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 97 | 9% |
| 19 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 52 | 9% |
| 20 | California | 39,536,653 | 3,169 | 8% |
Most common cities for formulation scientists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frederick | 2 | 3% | $87,797 |
| 2 | Kalamazoo | 2 | 3% | $70,683 |
| 3 | Bethesda | 1 | 2% | $87,717 |
| 4 | Waltham | 1 | 2% | $93,927 |
| 5 | Fremont | 2 | 1% | $128,026 |
| 6 | Cambridge | 1 | 1% | $93,878 |
| 7 | Carlsbad | 1 | 1% | $111,155 |
| 8 | Clearwater | 1 | 1% | $63,799 |
| 9 | South San Francisco | 1 | 1% | $128,443 |
| 10 | Indianapolis | 3 | 0% | $102,870 |
| 11 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $63,322 |
| 12 | Greensboro | 1 | 0% | $73,370 |
| 13 | Raleigh | 1 | 0% | $73,324 |
| 14 | San Diego | 1 | 0% | $109,819 |
Formulation Scientist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of formulation scientist experts
Washburn University of Topeka
Purdue University
San Jose State University
Washington State University
Purdue University
University of Nebraska - Omaha
Western Washington University
Quinnipiac University
University of New England
Western Washington University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology
University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Tulane University
Meredith College
American University
University of Miami
Susan Bjerke
Associate Professor of BiologyWashburn University of Topeka
Biological And Physical Sciences
What will help Formulation Scientists increase their earning potential?
Susan Bjerke: Some of the skills that will be important in the next 3-5 years will be general critical thinking skills and the ability to adapt to changing technology. Almost all science fields are increasingly dependent on technology, so being able to learn new skills and change the way you do things in your job will be important. Being an effective communicator, both in writing and orally, is an overlooked skill in the sciences and is always an important asset.
What general advice would you give to a Formulation Scientist?
Dr. Peiyi Shen: - The field of food science is ever-evolving. It is very important to keep up-to-date with the latest research, technologies, and trends in both the food industry and academia. They are suggested to attend workshops, conferences, and/or pursue related certifications or advanced degrees. - Building professional relationships can open doors to more opportunities. Joining professional organizations such as the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and participating in industry events provide excellent opportunities to meet people in the same area. - They are encouraged to seek more hand-on and practical experience. For example, internships, co-op programs, and entry-level positions can provide valuable hands-on experience. This can also help you determine which area of food science you are most passionate about. - The food industry is fast-paced and can change rapidly due to the new regulations, consumer trends, and technological advancements. Being flexible and open to change is helpful.
What general advice would you give to a Formulation Scientist?
Nikhilesh Chawla: Prioritize your education. Having a Bachelor’s is great but you will be able to do much more interesting work AND have a higher salary with a Master’s or PhD.
What Formulation Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nikhilesh Chawla: Make sure you are passionate about what you do. Great careers should not feel like a ‘job’. Try to learn as much as you can, be curious, and engaged. Networking with folks in your field and choosing 1-2 or mentors to help guide you would be good too.
Luz Garcini PhD, MPH
Assistant ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to a Formulation Scientist?
Luz Garcini PhD, MPH: Find a purpose and a meaning in their work and be open to learning from interdisciplinary fields.
What general advice would you give to a Formulation Scientist?
Jason Ferrell: By showing up, working hard, and being helpful. Companies invest in people, more than skills, and if you demonstrate your value to an organization, the financial rewards will follow.
Dr. Harit Agroia
Adjunct Professor of Public HealthSan Jose State University
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences
What Formulation Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Harit Agroia: The Health Science Researcher provides an exciting opportunity for individuals to explore areas of health that they are curious about; this role will be very well-enjoyed by someone who is curious, analytical and detail-oriented. One challenge about the role is that there may be times when research data may have to be re-collected or analyzed with evolving changes to research design and methodologies; being able to manage this effectively requires flexibility and adaptation in order to be thorough and successful in achieving set research goals.
What will help Formulation Scientists increase their earning potential?
Lindsey du Toit: Take every opportunity you can to learn, network, and build an effective team of people that bring a greater breadth and depth of skills and expertise to the work on which you will be focusing. Cultivate a life-long sense of intellectual curiosity and learning. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Treat ignorance as an opportunity to learn. Questions demonstrate you want to understand the situation/problem effectively and that you are paying attention. Always demonstrate integrity in your work. It is one of the most valuable traits you can bring to your career. Be kind and supportive of your colleagues.
Yan Cong
Purdue University
Romance Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What Formulation Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Yan Cong: AI singularity, Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), et cetera are topics that trigger a lot of debate nowadays and they will be prevalent in the near future. Perspectives from humanities and linguistics would contribute to the ongoing debate and provide new opportunities for future innovative technologies that are linked to languages, linguistics and humanities.
Andrew Riquier Ph.D.
InstructorUniversity of Nebraska - Omaha
Neurobiology And Neurosciences
What will help Formulation Scientists increase their earning potential?
Andrew Riquier Ph.D.: Carve out a niche, and do things that make you stand out and be valuable in that space. For example, if you are inclined towards research, you can try and increase your publication count by volunteering or getting a job in a laboratory. Apply for any grants or fellowships that you can. This will increase your chances of getting hired at a higher salary in the future. If you want to teach, you can start by volunteering to guest lecture, adjunct some classes, create a new class that is all your own, present at teaching conferences, do analytics on your students to show how effective you are, etc. It is all about knowing what your field values and what makes people stand out.
What Formulation Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Josh Kaplan Ph.D.: Demonstrating a skill set that is unique, such as experience with a rare technical research approach, or demonstrating that you can save your employer money by utilizing free resources, can be used to negotiate a higher salary.
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.
Professor of Biomedical SciencesQuinnipiac University
Microbiological Sciences And Immunology
What Formulation 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 Formulation Scientists increase their earning potential?
Michael Burman Ph.D.: With big data experiments, such as genome sequencing and high-resolution imagining, statistics and data analytics skills are absolutely essential. Data visualization techniques are also growing in importance. Take as many statistics and communications classes as you can. The most important discoveries can only make an impact if they are well understood and communicated. Programming/coding, artificial intelligence, and computational modeling are also likely to continue to grow in importance, as will the ability to develop new biological tools, such as engineered viruses and receptors, microscopes and imaging techniques, and neuron recording and manipulating methods.
What Formulation Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Josh Kaplan: Being able to work with various computer coding languages and implementing free, open-source software, will be increasingly valuable in a work setting that involves research, data analysis, or program optimization. Many workplaces used to rely on expensive software, but can now be replaced by open source programs and used by those who are comfortable with common computer coding languages. This can save an employer loads of money without sacrificing performance outcomes or deliverables.
What will help Formulation Scientists increase their earning potential?
Hava Siegelmann Ph.D.: Many companies are hiring computational neuroscientists for their applied training with the focus on human factors and human-computer interaction. This
is a relatively new area that assures that test and design computer programs in general and AI in particular work well for humans. Those with a graduate degree can also work in theorizing how the brain works based on functionality and suggesting
computational features of the brain that guide future experiments by brain researchers - this typically requires a graduate degree.
Stephanie Clark [HS AD]
Professor EmeritaIowa State University of Science and Technology
Food Science And Technology
What Formulation Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Stephanie Clark [HS AD]: Food science will ALWAYS be a career option because people need to eat to survive. Currently, efforts are being made to meet specific consumer health, convenience, taste, and sustainability demands, requiring science and innovation.
Yadira Malavez Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Biology
What general advice would you give to a Formulation Scientist?
Yadira Malavez Ph.D.: Starting a career in biotechnology can be both exciting and challenging. Here are my general
pieces of advice for a graduate beginning their career in Biotechnology:
1. Keep Learning: Biotechnology is a rapidly evolving field with discoveries and
technologies. Stay informed by reading journals, attending conferences, taking courses,
and certifications.
2. Gain Experience: Look for internships, co-op programs, or entry-level positions to gain
hands-on experience in biotechnology. Seeking job opportunities in small-scale
biotechnology companies could help you obtain the required knowledge and training to
broaden your opportunities in the field.
3. Develop Technical Skills: Biotechnology involves various technical skills, including
laboratory techniques, data analysis, and experimental design. Take the time to master
these skills through research, coursework, and on-the-job experience.
4. Communication Skills: In biotechnology, effective verbal and written communication is
essential for success in an interdisciplinary environment.
5. Career Development: Set clear goals for your career in biotechnology and actively work
towards achieving them. Obtain professional certifications and pursue a Master's or PhD
degree that may lead you to higher-paying jobs.
6. Industry job readiness and targeting: Know the industrial market and target companies
you want to work for. Define your skills that match the company's needs, understand its
divisions and products, and show you're a team player ready to advance the company's
mission, goals, and objectives.
What will help Formulation Scientists increase their earning potential?
Yadira Malavez Ph.D.: Maximizing your salary potential when starting your career in the biotechnology field involves
multiple strategies, such as:
1. Advanced Education: Consider pursuing advanced degrees or certifications relevant to
your desired biotechnology career path. Advanced education can qualify you for higher-
paying positions and increase your earning potential.
2. Relevant Experience: Experiential opportunities such as internships, co-op programs, or
entry-level positions could provide you with hands-on experience in biotechnology.
Relevant experience can make you more attractive to employers, potentially leading to
higher starting salaries.
3
3. Specialize in High-Demand Areas: Focus on developing skills and expertise in high-
demand areas of biotechnology, such as data science, bioinformatics, gene editing
technologies (e.g., CRISPR), or personalized medicine. Specializing in these areas can
increase salaries due to their increasing importance in the industry.
4. Seek Growth Opportunities: Look for opportunities for growth and advancement within
your organization or through career progression. Advancing to higher-level positions with
increased responsibilities often comes with higher salaries. Pursuing a minor or a Master's
in Business Administration can prepare you for supervisory positions in industrial
biotechnology, potentially leading to higher-paying opportunities.
Ricardo Mostany
Professor, Department of Pharmacology , Tulane University School of Medicine Director, Neuroscience PhD Program. Tulane Brain InstituteTulane University
Neurobiology And Neurosciences
What general advice would you give to a Formulation Scientist?
Ricardo Mostany: I would advise them to have an open mind about their career pathways. Many applicants seem to be very focused, almost obsessed, on specific fields of study because they have some scientific background already on the topic. Graduate school is to provide the students with the intellectual tools to answer scientific questions within a broader discipline regardless of the specific topic; to teach them how to think as a scientist.
What Formulation Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ricardo Mostany: Honestly, I don't have a good answer to that question. When I started my career I was worried about my scientific potential and if I was going to be able to have my own laboratory to investigate on the topics that I'm interested in and to train future scientists. It took me 22 years from starting the PhD to get tenure, so as you may guess, I'm terrible at maximizing salary potential. I chose academia! However, for prospective graduate students trying to maximize their salary potential, I would recommend them to identify programs with good record of having their graduates finishing the PhD degree in five years or less, and with curriculum dedicated to preparing them for non-academic jobs. Programs in schools with extensive collaborations with or in close proximity to biotech and pharma company hubs may accelerate the transition from PhD to a well-paid job.
What will help Formulation Scientists increase their earning potential?
Ricardo Mostany: Knowledge on intersectional genetic tools and data science skills is going to be an asset for anyone in the neuroscience field in the next few years. Achieving genetic neuronal population specificity is key to identifying the different roles, and molecular mechanisms, of the multiple neuronal subtypes in a given brain area or circuit. Combination of mouse lines, genome editing tools, gene promoters and reporters, etc. allows for that specificity. Modern research techniques produce very large amounts of data and being able to handle this data is going to be a crucial part of understanding our results. Some background in data science will be very useful.
Alexandra (Sasha) Ormond Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Chemistry, Director of Dual Degree EngineeringMeredith College
Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Geoscience
What soft skills should all Formulation Scientists possess?
Alexandra (Sasha) Ormond Ph.D.: From what I've heard (from employers), companies look for employees that they can work with. I know that sounds silly, but companies want employees that are team players and work well with other individuals and in groups. These employees also need to work independently when asked to work on a project. They need to be organized, reliable, and trustworthy. Employees also need to be able to communicate well by writing and speaking. They must be able to follow directions.
J. Alberto Espinosa Ph.D.
Professor of Information Technology and AnalyticsAmerican University
Kogod School of Business
What soft skills should all Formulation Scientists possess?
J. Alberto Espinosa Ph.D.: Without question, it is what we call "storytelling." Analytics is not useful unless you can gain insights and report them to management or clients. This includes the ability to interpret results and articulate them in plain business language to management and clients, as well as presentations, visuals, and writing.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Formulation Scientists?
Kevin Collins: Since remote work is still an important component, courses that emphasize bioinformatics, programming, mathematical modeling, and data analysis that complement in-person 'wet lab' research efforts have proven invaluable.
What will help Formulation Scientists increase their earning potential?
Kevin Collins: An interdisciplinary training program that leverages computational, bioinformatic, and quantitative approaches.