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National Institute of Standards and Technology salary estimate

$55,554yearly

$26.71 hourly rate

Entry-level salary
$32,000 yearly salary
Updated December 15, 2025

Overview of Salaries at NIST

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides a comprehensive salary structure reflecting the diverse roles within the organization. The average salary across all positions stands at $55,554, but this figure masks significant disparities based on job function.

Top Earning Positions

Among the highest-paid roles, health physicists earn an average of $87,949, followed closely by computer scientists at $87,204, and senior security analysts at $84,732. These positions require specialized expertise, contributing to their higher compensation.

Departmental Salary Variations

Salary variation also exists across departments. The finance department leads with an average salary of $75,777, while engineering positions average $72,596. In contrast, administrative roles offer lower salaries, averaging $42,922, highlighting the importance of department selection in salary negotiations.

Comparative Analysis

When compared to competitors like Brookhaven National Laboratory, NIST's salaries reflect a competitive landscape. Understanding these figures can help prospective employees gauge their earning potential and make informed career decisions.

Highest paying jobs at National Institute of Standards and Technology

The highest paying jobs at National Institute of Standards and Technology are health physicist, computer scientist, senior security analyst, and program manager. Health physicist jobs at National Institute of Standards and Technology earn an average yearly salary of $87,949, National Institute of Standards and Technology computer scientist jobs average $87,204, and National Institute of Standards and Technology senior security analyst jobs average $84,732.

The lowest paying National Institute of Standards and Technology roles include student worker and internship. National Institute of Standards and Technology student worker average salary is $26,644 per year. So while the average National Institute of Standards and Technology salary is $55,554 there is a big variation in pay depending on the role.

Highest paying jobs at National Institute of Standards and Technology

RankJob titleAverage National Institute of Standards and Technology salaryHourly rate
1Health Physicist$87,949$42.28
2Computer Scientist$87,204$41.93
3Senior Security Analyst$84,732$40.74
4Program Manager$82,218$39.53
5Contracts Specialist$81,180$39.03
6Mechanical Engineer$80,648$38.77
7Researcher$80,300$38.61
8Electronics Engineer$78,264$37.63
9Information Technology Specialist$76,806$36.93
10Physical Scientist$76,490$36.77
11Windows System Administrator$74,735$35.93
12Web Developer$73,126$35.16
13Biologist$71,419$34.34
14Systems Administrator$69,572$33.45
15Engineering Technician$65,615$31.55
16Repair Operator$63,699$30.62
17Police Officer$61,957$29.79
18Engineering Trainee$60,313$29.00
19Computer Aided Design Designer$60,189$28.94
20Office Manager$60,049$28.87

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How much does National Institute of Standards and Technology pay by location?

The average National Institute of Standards and Technology salary varies by location. National Institute of Standards and Technology salaries are the highest in Gaithersburg, MD, at $56,701 per year. National Institute of Standards and Technology pays the second highest average salary in Boulder, CO, at $52,468 per year. It's important to factor in the cost of living when negotiating a salary or choosing a place to work.

Highest paying National Institute of Standards and Technology locations

RankLocationAverage National Institute of Standards and Technology salaryHourly rate
1Gaithersburg, MD$56,701$27.26
2Boulder, CO$52,468$25.23
3Livingston, TX$49,066$23.59

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National Institute of Standards and Technology salaries by department

Salaries at National Institute of Standards and Technology vary depending on the department you work in. National Institute of Standards and Technology salaries in the finance department are the highest with an average salary of $75,777. Employees in the engineering department at National Institute of Standards and Technology receive relatively high salaries as well, with an average salary of $72,596 per year. Departments that don't pay as well at National Institute of Standards and Technology include the administrative and the facilities organizational functions, with employees earning average salaries of $42,922 and $44,571, respectively.

Average National Institute of Standards and Technology salary by department

RankDepartmentAverage National Institute of Standards and Technology salaryHourly rate
1Finance$75,777$36.43
2Engineering$72,596$34.90
3Art/Design$68,414$32.89
4IT$67,053$32.24
5Non Profit/Government$62,556$30.08
6Education$60,019$28.86
7Research & Development$56,664$27.24
8Plant/Manufacturing$56,261$27.05
9Accounting$54,206$26.06
10Facilities$44,571$21.43
11Administrative$42,923$20.64

How much does National Institute of Standards and Technology pay by department?

Best paying National Institute of Standards and Technology research & development salaries

RankPositionAverage National Institute of Standards and Technology salaryHourly rate
1Senior Scientist$99,391$47.78
2Health Physicist$87,949$42.28
3Researcher$80,300$38.61
4Biochemist$79,397$38.17
5Physical Scientist$76,490$36.77
6Biologist$71,419$34.34
7Environmental Engineer$70,008$33.66
8Research Associate$57,363$27.58
9Postdoctoral Associate$54,468$26.19
10Doctoral Fellow$52,757$25.36
11Science Technician$45,055$21.66
12Laboratory Assistant$43,715$21.02
13Laboratory Technician$39,776$19.12
14Summer Research Fellow$39,656$19.07

Best paying National Institute of Standards and Technology engineering salaries

RankPositionAverage National Institute of Standards and Technology salaryHourly rate
1Member, Technical Staff$121,907$58.61
2Senior Oracle Database Administrator$115,698$55.62
3Sharepoint Architect$98,662$47.43
4Computer Scientist$87,204$41.93
5Senior SQL Server Database Administrator$86,052$41.37
6Mechanical Engineer$80,648$38.77
7Electronics Engineer$78,264$37.63
8Computer Specialist$74,765$35.94
9Web Developer$73,126$35.16
10Engineering Technician$65,615$31.55
11Mechanical Designer$64,382$30.95
12Data Analyst Internship$56,971$27.39
13Manufacturing Technician$34,339$16.51
14Engineering Internship$33,194$15.96

Best paying National Institute of Standards and Technology administrative salaries

RankPositionAverage National Institute of Standards and Technology salaryHourly rate
1Senior Administrator$82,444$39.64
2Office Manager$60,049$28.87
3Secretary$56,915$27.36
4Document Specialist$49,421$23.76
5Mail Handler$43,378$20.85
6Student Internship$42,972$20.66
7Administrative Support Assistant$39,198$18.85
8Administrative Assistant$38,184$18.36
9Clerk Typist$33,759$16.23
10Office Automation Clerk$31,313$15.05
11Receptionist$30,831$14.82
12Student Worker$26,645$12.81

National Institute of Standards and Technology competitors’ average salaries

Average salaries at National Institute of Standards and Technology competitors, like Brookhaven National Laboratory, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, and J. Craig Venter Institute, vary. Brookhaven National Laboratory employees earn the highest salaries, with an average yearly salary of $81,483. The average salary at National High Magnetic Field Laboratory is $70,623 per year, and the average salary at J. Craig Venter Institute is $64,843 per year.

Highest paying National Institute of Standards and Technology competitors

Frequently asked questions about National Institute of Standards and Technology salaries

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National Institute of Standards and Technology may also be known as or be related to NIST CHILD CARE ASSOCIATION INC, National Institute Of Standards And Technology and National Institute of Standards and Technology.