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Genetic scientist salary
Average genetic scientist salary
$86,662
Genetic Scientist Salary Overview
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Genetic Scientist stands at $86,662 per year. This figure varies significantly based on experience, geographic location, and specialization within the field. For instance, genetic scientists in states like California and Massachusetts often command higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for expertise in biotechnology.
In terms of job prospects, genetic scientists work in diverse environments, including research institutions, healthcare facilities, and pharmaceutical companies. The job market is continuously evolving, with advancements in genetic research driving a need for skilled professionals.
Salary by Experience
Entry-level genetic scientists may start with salaries around $61,000, while those with several years of experience can earn upwards of $100,000. Specialized roles, such as clinical geneticists or bioinformatics specialists, generally offer higher compensation.
Top Paying Regions
Identifying the highest paying regions for genetic scientists can enhance your earning potential. States such as California, Massachusetts, and New York frequently offer salaries above the national average, making them attractive locations for job seekers.
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Where can a Genetic Scientist earn more?
Genetic scientist salary estimates from across the web
Average genetic scientist salary by state
The average genetic scientist salary in California, Rhode Island, and Connecticut are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average genetic scientist salary states are North Dakota, South Carolina, and Utah.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for genetic scientists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $116,629 | $56.07 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $89,358 | $42.96 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $98,684 | $47.44 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $97,416 | $46.83 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $88,318 | $42.46 |
| 6 | Delaware | $83,129 | $39.97 |
| 7 | Maine | $88,150 | $42.38 |
| 8 | Montana | $84,015 | $40.39 |
| 9 | Nevada | $91,641 | $44.06 |
| 10 | Maryland | $78,842 | $37.90 |
| 11 | Illinois | $79,441 | $38.19 |
| 12 | New York | $76,968 | $37.00 |
| 13 | North Carolina | $73,216 | $35.20 |
| 14 | Vermont | $73,702 | $35.43 |
| 15 | Indiana | $79,075 | $38.02 |
| 16 | Oregon | $79,208 | $38.08 |
| 17 | Washington | $73,772 | $35.47 |
| 18 | Tennessee | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| 19 | Arizona | $79,585 | $38.26 |
| 20 | Michigan | $76,948 | $36.99 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | $71,555 | $34.40 |
| 22 | Hawaii | $79,792 | $38.36 |
| 23 | Ohio | $74,294 | $35.72 |
| 24 | New Hampshire | $71,273 | $34.27 |
| 25 | Wyoming | $65,567 | $31.52 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $69,710 | $33.51 |
| 27 | Minnesota | $73,505 | $35.34 |
| 28 | Idaho | $69,769 | $33.54 |
| 29 | Oklahoma | $71,223 | $34.24 |
| 30 | New Mexico | $61,974 | $29.80 |
| 31 | Virginia | $62,509 | $30.05 |
| 32 | South Dakota | $56,259 | $27.05 |
| 33 | Alaska | $62,887 | $30.23 |
| 34 | Colorado | $64,946 | $31.22 |
| 35 | District of Columbia | $67,822 | $32.61 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $64,050 | $30.79 |
| 37 | Kentucky | $62,563 | $30.08 |
| 38 | Texas | $59,086 | $28.41 |
| 39 | West Virginia | $58,126 | $27.95 |
| 40 | North Dakota | $53,073 | $25.52 |
| 41 | Kansas | $56,185 | $27.01 |
| 42 | Florida | $59,709 | $28.71 |
| 43 | Alabama | $56,609 | $27.22 |
| 44 | Nebraska | $55,142 | $26.51 |
| 45 | Iowa | $55,680 | $26.77 |
| 46 | Georgia | $57,344 | $27.57 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $52,531 | $25.26 |
| 48 | Utah | $51,330 | $24.68 |
| 49 | Missouri | $48,534 | $23.33 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $51,217 | $24.62 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $47,570 | $22.87 |
Highest paying cities for genetic scientists
The highest-paying cities for genetic scientists are San Francisco, CA, Mountain View, CA, and Sunnyvale, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $125,643 | $60.41 |
| 2 | Mountain View, CA | $124,899 | $60.05 |
| 3 | Sunnyvale, CA | $124,847 | $60.02 |
| 4 | San Diego, CA | $109,522 | $52.65 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $89,528 | $43.04 |
| 6 | Cambridge, MA | $89,485 | $43.02 |
| 7 | Baltimore, MD | $79,137 | $38.05 |
| 8 | Rockville, MD | $78,618 | $37.80 |
| 9 | Gaithersburg, MD | $78,600 | $37.79 |
| 10 | Ossining, NY | $77,272 | $37.15 |
| 11 | Tarrytown, NY | $77,253 | $37.14 |
| 12 | New York, NY | $77,103 | $37.07 |
| 13 | Seattle, WA | $74,314 | $35.73 |
| 14 | Gainesville, FL | $60,609 | $29.14 |
| 15 | Kansas City, KS | $56,202 | $27.02 |
| 16 | Salisbury, MO | $48,597 | $23.36 |
Genetic scientist salary details
A genetic scientist's salary ranges from $59,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $125,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a genetic scientist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $125,000 | $10,417 | $60 |
| 75th Percentile | $105,000 | $8,750 | $50 |
| Average | $86,662 | $7,222 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,000 | $5,917 | $34 |
| 10th Percentile | $59,000 | $4,917 | $28 |
Highest paying genetic scientist jobs
The highest paying types of genetic scientists are medical science liaison, principal scientist, and senior scientist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctoral Fellow | $53,366 | $4,447 | $25.66 | 22,661 |
| Fellow | $66,364 | $5,530 | $31.91 | 7,459 |
| Research Laboratory Manager | $64,333 | $5,361 | $30.93 | 89,981 |
| Laboratory Researcher | $27,760 | $2,313 | $13.35 | 57,359 |
| PHD Researcher | $51,634 | $4,303 | $24.82 | 19,736 |
| Postdoctoral Scholar | $57,587 | $4,799 | $27.69 | 18,983 |
Top companies hiring genetic scientists now:
Which companies pay genetic scientists the most?
Genetic scientist salaries at 23andMe and Biogen are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average genetic scientist salary at companies like Regeneron and Etalon are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23andMe | $110,022 | $52.90 |
| 2 | Biogen | $104,216 | $50.10 |
| 3 | Regeneron | $94,692 | $45.52 |
| 4 | Etalon | $87,677 | $42.15 |
| 5 | Asimov | $87,677 | $42.15 |
| 6 | California | $87,677 | $42.15 |
| 7 | Eurofins | $86,906 | $41.78 |
| 8 | Mount Sinai Health System | $83,465 | $40.13 |
| 9 | Allen Institute | $79,341 | $38.14 |
| 10 | The University System of Maryland Foundation | $65,555 | $31.52 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Genetic scientist salary trends
The average genetic scientist salary has risen by $14,565 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average genetic scientist earned $72,097 annually, but today, they earn $86,662 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for genetic scientists over the last decade.
Compare genetic scientist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average genetic scientist salary over time
Compare genetic scientist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Genetic scientist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $86,700 | $41.66 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | $84,100 | $40.43 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $80,300 | $38.61 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $77,700 | $37.38 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $76,300 | $36.67 | -2.1% |
Recently added genetic scientist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hmclause | Applied Genetics Scientist | Davis, CA | 02/17/2025 | $95,000 |
| Thepharmadaily LLP | Genetic Medicine LA. | Boston, MA | 02/16/2025 | $69,000 |
| Healthecareers-Client | Genetics Opportunity | Modesto, CA | 01/26/2025 | $260,040 |
| Ccrmivf | Molecular Genetic Scientist | Lone Tree, CO | 12/06/2024 | $64,697 |
| Longevitylist | Scientist, Genetic Perturbations | Durham, NC | 12/05/2024 | $127,000 |
| Longevitylist | Scientist, Genetic Perturbations | Durham, NC | 10/04/2024 | $127,000 |
| Longevitylist | Scientist, Genetic Perturbations | Durham, NC | 09/28/2024 | $127,000 |
| Spannr | Physician Scientist, Human Genetics, Target Discovery (Founder and Special Populations) | Greenburgh, NY | 09/16/2024 | $75,700 |
| Syngenta Crop Protection LLC | Applied Genetics Scientist | Durham, NC | 05/09/2024 | $76,190 |
| Bayer Research and Development Services LLC | Principal Quantitative Genetics Scientist | Champaign, IL | 05/07/2024 | $133,006 |
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