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Certifying scientist salary
Average certifying scientist salary
$92,486
Understanding Certifying Scientist Salaries
A certifying scientist plays a vital role in ensuring quality and compliance in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, environmental analysis, and food safety. As of October 2025, the average salary for this position stands at $92,486 per year. However, salaries vary widely based on factors such as geographic location, level of experience, and the specific industry sector.
For instance, states like California and New York typically offer higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for skilled professionals. Entry-level positions may start lower, around $60,000, while experienced certifying scientists can earn upwards of $120,000 or more, especially in specialized roles.
Additionally, certifying scientists with advanced degrees or certifications often command higher salaries. This profession not only offers competitive pay but also provides opportunities for growth and advancement within the field. Job seekers interested in this career path should consider obtaining relevant certifications and gaining experience in laboratory settings to enhance their employability.
Job Opportunities and Future Outlook
As industries continue to prioritize safety and compliance, the demand for certifying scientists is expected to grow, creating numerous job opportunities across various sectors.
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Where can a Certifying Scientist earn more?
Certifying scientist salary estimates from across the web
Average certifying scientist salary by state
The highest-paying states for certifying scientists are California, Tennessee, and Nevada. The lowest average certifying scientist salary states are Mississippi, Missouri, and Louisiana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for certifying scientists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $108,282 | $52.06 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $95,084 | $45.71 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $91,805 | $44.14 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $93,847 | $45.12 |
| 5 | Delaware | $84,008 | $40.39 |
| 6 | Tennessee | $101,206 | $48.66 |
| 7 | Maryland | $83,406 | $40.10 |
| 8 | Oregon | $85,900 | $41.30 |
| 9 | Maine | $89,395 | $42.98 |
| 10 | Nevada | $96,632 | $46.46 |
| 11 | Arizona | $88,814 | $42.70 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $79,761 | $38.35 |
| 13 | Washington | $81,410 | $39.14 |
| 14 | Indiana | $89,643 | $43.10 |
| 15 | Montana | $79,766 | $38.35 |
| 16 | New York | $77,763 | $37.39 |
| 17 | Rhode Island | $77,058 | $37.05 |
| 18 | Illinois | $77,361 | $37.19 |
| 19 | Vermont | $74,505 | $35.82 |
| 20 | Minnesota | $78,672 | $37.82 |
| 21 | Virginia | $72,097 | $34.66 |
| 22 | District of Columbia | $81,442 | $39.15 |
| 23 | New Hampshire | $71,437 | $34.34 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $65,336 | $31.41 |
| 25 | New Mexico | $65,015 | $31.26 |
| 26 | West Virginia | $71,672 | $34.46 |
| 27 | Ohio | $70,026 | $33.67 |
| 28 | Michigan | $71,957 | $34.59 |
| 29 | Wyoming | $64,220 | $30.88 |
| 30 | Hawaii | $74,256 | $35.70 |
| 31 | Colorado | $68,216 | $32.80 |
| 32 | Wisconsin | $66,695 | $32.06 |
| 33 | South Dakota | $59,981 | $28.84 |
| 34 | Alaska | $62,451 | $30.02 |
| 35 | Georgia | $65,391 | $31.44 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $64,531 | $31.02 |
| 37 | Oklahoma | $65,403 | $31.44 |
| 38 | Idaho | $62,985 | $30.28 |
| 39 | Texas | $63,037 | $30.31 |
| 40 | Utah | $61,782 | $29.70 |
| 41 | Florida | $62,158 | $29.88 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $61,488 | $29.56 |
| 43 | Alabama | $61,843 | $29.73 |
| 44 | North Dakota | $52,976 | $25.47 |
| 45 | Nebraska | $60,202 | $28.94 |
| 46 | Kansas | $57,114 | $27.46 |
| 47 | Missouri | $54,701 | $26.30 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $54,094 | $26.01 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $56,691 | $27.26 |
| 50 | Iowa | $47,435 | $22.81 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $54,118 | $26.02 |
Highest paying cities for certifying scientists
The highest-paying cities for certifying scientists are Santa Rosa, CA, Flagstaff, AZ, and Tacoma, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Rosa, CA | $117,937 | $56.70 |
| 2 | Flagstaff, AZ | $92,246 | $44.35 |
| 3 | Tacoma, WA | $82,921 | $39.87 |
| 4 | Norristown, PA | $80,144 | $38.53 |
| 5 | Saint Paul, MN | $78,826 | $37.90 |
| 6 | Huntington, NY | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| 7 | Richmond, VA | $71,972 | $34.60 |
| 8 | Battle Creek, MI | $71,039 | $34.15 |
| 9 | Raleigh, NC | $65,954 | $31.71 |
| 10 | Smyrna, GA | $65,274 | $31.38 |
| 11 | Dallas, TX | $62,604 | $30.10 |
| 12 | Lenexa, KS | $57,229 | $27.51 |
Certifying scientist salary details
A certifying scientist's salary ranges from $58,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $146,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a certifying scientist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $146,000 | $12,167 | $70 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,000 | $9,750 | $56 |
| Average | $92,486 | $7,707 | $44 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,000 | $6,000 | $35 |
| 10th Percentile | $58,000 | $4,833 | $28 |
Highest paying certifying scientist jobs
The highest paying types of certifying scientists are senior scientist, scientist, and staff scientist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Control | $32,824 | $2,735 | $15.78 | 83,496 |
| Quality Control Analyst | $59,217 | $4,935 | $28.47 | 85,546 |
| Research Chemist | $75,843 | $6,320 | $36.46 | 53,769 |
| Quality Control Chemist | $58,892 | $4,908 | $28.31 | 90,467 |
| Laboratory Analyst | $44,024 | $3,669 | $21.17 | 44,074 |
| Microbiologist | $54,620 | $4,552 | $26.26 | 11,444 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for certifying scientists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Howard Whiteman
Professor of Biological Sciences, Director of the Watershed Studies Institute, Murray State University
Top companies hiring certifying scientists now:
Which companies pay certifying scientists the most?
Certifying scientist salaries at Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings and Alere are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average certifying scientist salary at companies like Clinical Reference Laboratory and Lab Co are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings | $104,474 | $50.23 |
| 2 | Alere | $103,538 | $49.78 |
| 3 | Clinical Reference Laboratory | $97,600 | $46.92 |
| 4 | Lab Co | $92,808 | $44.62 |
| 5 | Forensic Fluids Laboratories | $92,480 | $44.46 |
| 6 | Abbott | $91,698 | $44.09 |
| 7 | Quest Diagnostics | $90,755 | $43.63 |
| 8 | Staff Icons | $90,323 | $43.42 |
| 9 | Eurofins | $89,346 | $42.95 |
| 10 | Kelly Services | $81,928 | $39.39 |
| 11 | Castle Medical | $71,562 | $34.40 |
| 12 | Cordant Health Solutions | $70,785 | $34.03 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Certifying scientist salary trends
The average certifying scientist salary has risen by $15,544 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average certifying scientist earned $76,942 annually, but today, they earn $92,486 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for certifying scientists over the last decade.
Compare certifying scientist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average certifying scientist salary over time
Compare certifying scientist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Certifying scientist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $92,500 | $44.46 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $89,700 | $43.14 | +4.5% |
| 2023 | $85,700 | $41.21 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | $83,000 | $39.89 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $81,400 | $39.13 | -2.1% |
Recently added certifying scientist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labcorp | Certifying Scientist-Toxicology | Raritan, NJ | 06/17/2025 | $67,828 |
| Cordant Health Solutions | Certifying Scientist | Indianapolis, IN | 05/06/2025 | $55,000 |
| Clinical Reference Laboratory, Inc. | Certifying Scientist | Lenexa, KS | 04/03/2025 | $50,088 |
| Form Fox | Certifying Scientist | Lenexa, KS | 04/03/2025 | $50,088 |
| Quest Diagnostics Incorporated | Lab Negative Certifying Scientist | Lenexa, KS | 03/18/2025 | $48,711 |
| United States Drug Testing Laboratory, Inc. | Certifying Scientist I | Des Plaines, IL | 03/07/2025 | $75,132 |
| United States Drug Testing Laboratory, Inc. | Certifying Scientist I | Des Plaines, IL | 02/27/2025 | $63,257 |
| University of Missouri Health Care | Certifying Scientist-Forensic Drug Testing | Columbia, MO | 02/17/2025 | $59,322 |
| Cordant Health Solutions | Certifying Scientist | Flagstaff, AZ | 02/07/2025 | $54,000 |
| Clinical Reference Laboratory, Inc. | Certifying Scientist | Lenexa, KS | 01/25/2025 | $50,088 |
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