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Laboratory researcher salary
Average laboratory researcher salary
$13.35
Understanding Laboratory Researcher Salaries
The average salary for a Laboratory Researcher in the United States is approximately $27,760 per year or $13 per hour. However, this figure can differ significantly based on several variables, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific field within laboratory research. For instance, researchers in states like California and Massachusetts often see higher salaries due to the concentration of biotech firms and research institutions.
As you consider a career as a Laboratory Researcher, it’s essential to explore how experience impacts earning potential. Entry-level positions typically offer lower salaries, while seasoned professionals can command significantly higher wages. Additionally, specialized roles, such as Clinical Laboratory Scientists or Research Associates, may provide more lucrative opportunities.
Salary Estimates by State
According to data, the highest-paying states for Laboratory Researchers include:
- California
- Massachusetts
- New York
These states not only offer more competitive salaries but also a vibrant job market for laboratory professionals. Understanding the salary landscape helps job seekers make informed decisions about their career paths in laboratory research.
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Where can a Laboratory Researcher earn more?
Laboratory researcher salary estimates from across the web
Average laboratory researcher salary by state
The average laboratory researcher salary in Maine, Connecticut, and Rhode Island are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average laboratory researcher salary states are South Carolina, Mississippi, and Texas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for laboratory researchers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $35,119 | $16.88 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $39,379 | $18.93 |
| 3 | Maine | $44,565 | $21.43 |
| 4 | New York | $36,048 | $17.33 |
| 5 | Minnesota | $34,327 | $16.50 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $40,154 | $19.30 |
| 7 | Vermont | $32,933 | $15.83 |
| 8 | Michigan | $32,170 | $15.47 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $40,492 | $19.47 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $32,432 | $15.59 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $31,061 | $14.93 |
| 12 | Tennessee | $35,583 | $17.11 |
| 13 | Montana | $31,673 | $15.23 |
| 14 | California | $30,144 | $14.49 |
| 15 | Delaware | $35,326 | $16.98 |
| 16 | Maryland | $29,840 | $14.35 |
| 17 | Alaska | $27,233 | $13.09 |
| 18 | Washington | $26,544 | $12.76 |
| 19 | Indiana | $32,024 | $15.40 |
| 20 | Hawaii | $32,607 | $15.68 |
| 21 | Ohio | $28,415 | $13.66 |
| 22 | District of Columbia | $30,234 | $14.54 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $29,169 | $14.02 |
| 24 | Iowa | $24,275 | $11.67 |
| 25 | Wyoming | $26,517 | $12.75 |
| 26 | North Dakota | $24,762 | $11.90 |
| 27 | Illinois | $27,842 | $13.39 |
| 28 | Oregon | $23,658 | $11.37 |
| 29 | Arizona | $25,338 | $12.18 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $22,650 | $10.89 |
| 31 | Oklahoma | $25,940 | $12.47 |
| 32 | West Virginia | $21,705 | $10.44 |
| 33 | Arkansas | $22,891 | $11.01 |
| 34 | Nevada | $23,309 | $11.21 |
| 35 | Nebraska | $23,318 | $11.21 |
| 36 | Idaho | $22,114 | $10.63 |
| 37 | Kansas | $22,038 | $10.60 |
| 38 | Florida | $22,269 | $10.71 |
| 39 | Virginia | $24,810 | $11.93 |
| 40 | Colorado | $21,101 | $10.14 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $22,632 | $10.88 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $22,700 | $10.91 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $20,244 | $9.73 |
| 44 | Alabama | $21,521 | $10.35 |
| 45 | Missouri | $20,518 | $9.86 |
| 46 | Utah | $18,740 | $9.01 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $19,534 | $9.39 |
| 48 | Texas | $19,443 | $9.35 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $19,688 | $9.47 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $15,971 | $7.68 |
| 51 | Georgia | $19,017 | $9.14 |
Highest paying cities for laboratory researchers
The highest-paying cities for laboratory researchers are New Brunswick, NJ, Ossining, NY, and Newark, DE.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Brunswick, NJ | $39,292 | $18.89 |
| 2 | Ossining, NY | $36,573 | $17.58 |
| 3 | Newark, DE | $35,665 | $17.15 |
| 4 | Minneapolis, MN | $34,308 | $16.49 |
| 5 | Farmington Hills, MI | $32,270 | $15.51 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $31,309 | $15.05 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $30,823 | $14.82 |
| 8 | Fond du Lac, WI | $30,008 | $14.43 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $28,107 | $13.51 |
| 10 | Durham, NC | $22,847 | $10.98 |
| 11 | Moscow, ID | $22,778 | $10.95 |
| 12 | Tallahassee, FL | $22,316 | $10.73 |
| 13 | Boulder, CO | $21,140 | $10.16 |
| 14 | Jackson, MS | $19,510 | $9.38 |
| 15 | Irving, TX | $19,368 | $9.31 |
| 16 | Alpharetta, GA | $19,098 | $9.18 |
Laboratory researcher salary details
A laboratory researcher's salary ranges from $17,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $43,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a laboratory researcher's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $27,760 | $2,313 | $13 |
| 25th Percentile | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10 |
| 10th Percentile | $17,000 | $1,417 | $8 |
Highest paying laboratory researcher jobs
The highest paying types of laboratory researchers are senior scientist, scientist, and research scientist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fellow | $66,364 | $5,530 | $31.91 | 7,459 |
| Scientist | $97,344 | $8,112 | $46.80 | 62,467 |
| Doctoral Fellow | $53,366 | $4,447 | $25.66 | 22,661 |
| Postdoctoral Scholar | $57,587 | $4,799 | $27.69 | 18,983 |
| Research Technician | $43,034 | $3,586 | $20.69 | 64,786 |
| Research Scientist | $89,998 | $7,500 | $43.27 | 93,013 |
Top companies hiring laboratory researchers now:
Which companies pay laboratory researchers the most?
Laboratory researcher salaries at Los Alamos National Laboratory and New York University are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average laboratory researcher salary at companies like University of California, Berkeley and Nokia are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Alamos National Laboratory | $64,181 | $30.86 |
| 2 | New York University | $56,868 | $27.34 |
| 3 | University of California-Berkeley | $48,072 | $23.11 |
| 4 | Nokia | $47,701 | $22.93 |
| 5 | Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Inc. | $42,242 | $20.31 |
| 6 | HHMI | $40,802 | $19.62 |
| 7 | Mount Sinai Health System | $38,711 | $18.61 |
| 8 | Rutgers University | $38,199 | $18.36 |
| 9 | University of California | $36,552 | $17.57 |
| 10 | Duquesne University | $35,817 | $17.22 |
| 11 | Florida State University | $35,016 | $16.83 |
| 12 | PSEA | $33,988 | $16.34 |
| 13 | National Jewish Health | $33,898 | $16.30 |
| 14 | University of Wisconsin System | $33,493 | $16.10 |
| 15 | University Of Minnesota Physicians | $33,446 | $16.08 |
| 16 | Hitachi U.S.A. | $33,232 | $15.98 |
| 17 | CHRISTUS Health | $32,393 | $15.57 |
| 18 | Family Health Partnership Clinic | $32,067 | $15.42 |
| 19 | Loma Linda University | $32,054 | $15.41 |
| 20 | University of Idaho | $31,118 | $14.96 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Laboratory researcher salary trends
The average laboratory researcher salary has risen by $4,665 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average laboratory researcher earned $23,095 annually, but today, they earn $27,760 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for laboratory researchers over the last decade.
Compare laboratory researcher salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average laboratory researcher salary over time
Compare laboratory researcher salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Laboratory researcher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $27,800 | $13.35 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | $26,900 | $12.95 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $25,700 | $12.37 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $24,900 | $11.97 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $24,400 | $11.74 | -2.1% |
Recently added laboratory researcher salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Minnesota | Researcher 2-Cardiovascular Division/Garry Lab | Minneapolis, MN | 06/26/2025 | $41,740 |
| Rutgers University | Laboratory Researcher II | New Brunswick, NJ | 06/24/2025 | $82,166 |
| Global Channel Management | Lab Researcher | Andover, MA | 06/10/2025 | $83,480 |
| National Jewish Health | Lab Researcher-Gerber/Sasse Lab | Denver, CO | 06/07/2025 | $47,500 |
| University of Tennessee | Neuroimaging Lab Staff Researcher-Pediatrics (Clinical Neurosciences) | Memphis, TN | 06/06/2025 | $47,360 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | Temp-Lab/Research Support-Berger Research Lab | Atlanta, GA | 06/05/2025 | $41,740 |
| VCU | Laboratory Technican-Wang Labs | Richmond, VA | 06/05/2025 | $35,000 |
| Auburn University | TES Toro Research Lab | Auburn, AL | 06/03/2025 | $25,044 |
| University of Minnesota | Researcher 2-Cardiovascular Division/Garry Lab | Minneapolis, MN | 05/28/2025 | $41,740 |
| St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | Researcher In Kellogg Lab | Memphis, TN | 05/24/2025 | $50,088 |
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