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Junior scientist salary
Average junior scientist salary
$63,169
Understanding Junior Scientist Salaries
Junior Scientists play a vital role in research and development across numerous industries. As of October 2025, the average salary stands at $63,169 annually. Salaries can vary based on factors such as geographic location, field of expertise, and years of experience.
For instance, Junior Scientists in high-demand areas or specialized fields tend to earn more. The highest paying states include California, Massachusetts, and New York, with salaries exceeding the national average. States like Texas and Florida also offer competitive wages, making them attractive locations for job seekers.
Moreover, Junior Scientists can enhance their earning potential by pursuing advanced degrees or certifications. Career advancement opportunities often lead to senior scientist roles, which provide even greater financial rewards. For those considering a career in science, understanding the salary landscape is essential for making informed decisions about education and job opportunities.
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Where can a Junior Scientist earn more?
Junior scientist salary estimates from across the web
Average junior scientist salary by state
The highest-paying states for junior scientists are California, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The lowest average junior scientist salary states are Mississippi, Georgia, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for junior scientists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $89,767 | $43.16 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $76,450 | $36.75 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $72,967 | $35.08 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $74,593 | $35.86 |
| 5 | Illinois | $71,256 | $34.26 |
| 6 | Maryland | $70,285 | $33.79 |
| 7 | Delaware | $68,930 | $33.14 |
| 8 | New York | $69,989 | $33.65 |
| 9 | Montana | $68,158 | $32.77 |
| 10 | Indiana | $72,008 | $34.62 |
| 11 | Arizona | $70,015 | $33.66 |
| 12 | District of Columbia | $68,335 | $32.85 |
| 13 | Nevada | $70,868 | $34.07 |
| 14 | Virginia | $63,132 | $30.35 |
| 15 | Maine | $66,029 | $31.74 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $63,289 | $30.43 |
| 17 | Tennessee | $68,885 | $33.12 |
| 18 | Washington | $62,216 | $29.91 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $63,517 | $30.54 |
| 20 | Oregon | $63,125 | $30.35 |
| 21 | Rhode Island | $60,404 | $29.04 |
| 22 | Colorado | $61,060 | $29.36 |
| 23 | Ohio | $61,159 | $29.40 |
| 24 | Wyoming | $54,954 | $26.42 |
| 25 | Utah | $53,443 | $25.69 |
| 26 | Vermont | $56,261 | $27.05 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $54,008 | $25.97 |
| 28 | New Hampshire | $54,056 | $25.99 |
| 29 | West Virginia | $57,716 | $27.75 |
| 30 | Arkansas | $54,951 | $26.42 |
| 31 | Hawaii | $58,545 | $28.15 |
| 32 | South Dakota | $50,207 | $24.14 |
| 33 | Alaska | $56,494 | $27.16 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $54,806 | $26.35 |
| 35 | New Mexico | $50,729 | $24.39 |
| 36 | Missouri | $52,090 | $25.04 |
| 37 | Alabama | $51,831 | $24.92 |
| 38 | Minnesota | $52,999 | $25.48 |
| 39 | Texas | $51,290 | $24.66 |
| 40 | Florida | $51,399 | $24.71 |
| 41 | Louisiana | $52,034 | $25.02 |
| 42 | Idaho | $48,597 | $23.36 |
| 43 | Kentucky | $50,413 | $24.24 |
| 44 | Kansas | $49,665 | $23.88 |
| 45 | Michigan | $50,297 | $24.18 |
| 46 | North Dakota | $43,871 | $21.09 |
| 47 | Georgia | $46,952 | $22.57 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $45,356 | $21.81 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $47,066 | $22.63 |
| 50 | Iowa | $38,943 | $18.72 |
| 51 | Nebraska | $43,956 | $21.13 |
Highest paying cities for junior scientists
The highest-paying cities for junior scientists are Los Angeles, CA, Englewood, NJ, and Chicago, IL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $87,803 | $42.21 |
| 2 | Englewood, NJ | $76,481 | $36.77 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $71,355 | $34.31 |
| 4 | Central Islip, NY | $70,508 | $33.90 |
| 5 | Frederick, MD | $70,031 | $33.67 |
| 6 | Arlington, VA | $63,971 | $30.76 |
| 7 | Neenah, WI | $63,360 | $30.46 |
| 8 | Akron, OH | $62,095 | $29.85 |
| 9 | Longmont, CO | $60,874 | $29.27 |
| 10 | Cranberry, PA | $60,760 | $29.21 |
| 11 | Anchorage, AK | $56,333 | $27.08 |
| 12 | Austin, MN | $53,421 | $25.68 |
| 13 | Salt Lake City, UT | $53,212 | $25.58 |
| 14 | Jacksonville, FL | $52,159 | $25.08 |
| 15 | Houston, TX | $50,859 | $24.45 |
| 16 | Sioux Falls, SD | $50,426 | $24.24 |
| 17 | Marietta, GA | $47,120 | $22.65 |
Junior scientist salary details
A junior scientist's salary ranges from $44,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $90,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a junior scientist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $90,000 | $7,500 | $43 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,000 | $6,333 | $37 |
| Average | $63,169 | $5,264 | $30 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,000 | $4,333 | $25 |
| 10th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
Highest paying junior scientist jobs
The highest paying types of junior scientists are senior scientist, scientist, and staff scientist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Technician | $42,584 | $3,549 | $20.47 | 40,191 |
| Quality Control | $32,824 | $2,735 | $15.78 | 83,496 |
| Laboratory Internship | $35,305 | $2,942 | $16.97 | 90,970 |
| Microbiologist | $54,620 | $4,552 | $26.26 | 11,444 |
| Laboratory Analyst | $44,024 | $3,669 | $21.17 | 44,074 |
| Research Chemist | $75,843 | $6,320 | $36.46 | 53,769 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for junior 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 junior scientists now:
Which companies pay junior scientists the most?
Junior scientist salaries at The University of Chicago and Henry M. Jackson Foundation are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average junior scientist salary at companies like Florida Blue and Luminex are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Chicago | $74,086 | $35.62 |
| 2 | Henry M. Jackson Foundation | $70,143 | $33.72 |
| 3 | Florida Blue | $67,818 | $32.60 |
| 4 | Luminex | $66,418 | $31.93 |
| 5 | Pacific Architects and Engineers | $65,255 | $31.37 |
| 6 | ADM | $63,570 | $30.56 |
| 7 | Alphanumeric | $63,127 | $30.35 |
| 8 | Verdezyne | $62,064 | $29.84 |
| 9 | Odyssey Systems | $61,687 | $29.66 |
| 10 | Oneida Total Integrated Enterprises | $60,875 | $29.27 |
| 11 | Bactolac Pharmaceutical | $60,856 | $29.26 |
| 12 | Groundwater & Environmental Services | $59,954 | $28.82 |
| 13 | Noble Life Sciences | $59,684 | $28.69 |
| 14 | Hatch | $59,558 | $28.63 |
| 15 | Cemex | $58,201 | $27.98 |
| 16 | Randstad North America, Inc. | $58,184 | $27.97 |
| 17 | University Of Minnesota Physicians | $54,614 | $26.26 |
| 18 | Advantage xPO | $53,429 | $25.69 |
| 19 | Overstock.com | $52,638 | $25.31 |
| 20 | Fairweather | $49,232 | $23.67 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Junior scientist salary trends
The average junior scientist salary has risen by $10,617 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average junior scientist earned $52,552 annually, but today, they earn $63,169 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for junior scientists over the last decade.
Compare junior scientist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average junior scientist salary over time
Compare junior scientist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Junior scientist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $63,200 | $30.37 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | $61,300 | $29.47 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $58,500 | $28.15 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $56,700 | $27.24 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $55,600 | $26.73 | -2.1% |
Recently added junior scientist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PBS Engineering and Environmental Inc. | Junior Occupational Health and Safety Scientist | Seattle, WA | 05/28/2025 | $70,000 |
| Apex Companies | Junior Occupational Health and Safety Scientist | Seattle, WA | 05/09/2025 | $70,000 |
| Amazon.com, Inc. | JR. Applied Scientist | San Diego, CA | 04/23/2025 | $35,124 |
| Amazon.com, Inc. | JR. Applied Scientist | Seattle, WA | 04/23/2025 | $35,124 |
| Wv Departments of Health, Health Facilities, and Human Services | Junior Diagnostic Scientist | Charleston, WV | 03/28/2025 | $45,053 |
| Amazon India | JR. Applied Scientist | Seattle, WA | 02/18/2025 | $33,392 |
| Amazon India | JR. Applied Scientist | Austin, TX | 02/17/2025 | $33,392 |
| Climate Tech VC | Junior Scientist/Engineer | New Haven, CT | 02/16/2025 | $60,000 |
| Logics, Inc. | Flow Cytometry Junior Scientist | Seattle, WA | 02/16/2025 | $90,000 |
| Amazon.com, Inc. | JR. Applied Scientist | Santa Cruz, CA | 01/25/2025 | $35,124 |
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