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A Life Science Taxonomist specializes in classifying organisms and understanding their relationships. This role is crucial in areas such as biodiversity research, conservation, and ecological studies. Salaries for life science taxonomists typically start around $51,598 per year but can vary widely based on experience, geography, and the specific sector of employment.
In certain states, taxonomists may earn significantly more. For example, states with higher living costs or greater demand for biodiversity research often offer salaries exceeding the national average.
Tracking salary trends over time reveals that as the demand for environmental and biological research grows, so do the opportunities and compensation for life science professionals. Job seekers should consider these factors when evaluating potential positions.
Entry-level positions can lead to roles with increased responsibilities and higher salaries. Networking within the industry and pursuing additional certifications can further enhance career prospects.
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The average life science taxonomist salary in Alaska, New Jersey, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average life science taxonomist salary states are South Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $71,138 | $34.20 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $62,455 | $30.03 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $68,354 | $32.86 |
| 4 | Delaware | $61,864 | $29.74 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $59,019 | $28.37 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $63,206 | $30.39 |
| 7 | New York | $68,329 | $32.85 |
| 8 | Maine | $58,694 | $28.22 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $61,075 | $29.36 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $67,102 | $32.26 |
| 11 | Michigan | $59,772 | $28.74 |
| 12 | Vermont | $55,557 | $26.71 |
| 13 | West Virginia | $52,868 | $25.42 |
| 14 | District of Columbia | $59,195 | $28.46 |
| 15 | Arizona | $57,516 | $27.65 |
| 16 | Maryland | $59,944 | $28.82 |
| 17 | Nevada | $52,721 | $25.35 |
| 18 | Virginia | $61,121 | $29.39 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $54,257 | $26.09 |
| 20 | California | $57,258 | $27.53 |
| 21 | New Mexico | $52,690 | $25.33 |
| 22 | Illinois | $52,821 | $25.39 |
| 23 | Ohio | $53,092 | $25.52 |
| 24 | Indiana | $52,483 | $25.23 |
| 25 | Minnesota | $51,036 | $24.54 |
| 26 | Texas | $52,578 | $25.28 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $52,380 | $25.18 |
| 28 | Iowa | $47,379 | $22.78 |
| 29 | North Dakota | $44,028 | $21.17 |
| 30 | Hawaii | $46,253 | $22.24 |
| 31 | Idaho | $42,056 | $20.22 |
| 32 | Florida | $47,834 | $23.00 |
| 33 | Kentucky | $45,856 | $22.05 |
| 34 | Tennessee | $46,564 | $22.39 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $46,409 | $22.31 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $45,219 | $21.74 |
| 37 | Wyoming | $41,144 | $19.78 |
| 38 | Oregon | $45,032 | $21.65 |
| 39 | Mississippi | $43,132 | $20.74 |
| 40 | Kansas | $44,251 | $21.27 |
| 41 | Alabama | $46,209 | $22.22 |
| 42 | South Dakota | $41,283 | $19.85 |
| 43 | Georgia | $46,421 | $22.32 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $45,349 | $21.80 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $44,245 | $21.27 |
| 46 | Montana | $38,651 | $18.58 |
| 47 | Nebraska | $40,439 | $19.44 |
| 48 | Washington | $43,540 | $20.93 |
| 49 | Utah | $39,919 | $19.19 |
| 50 | Colorado | $39,183 | $18.84 |
| 51 | Missouri | $41,794 | $20.09 |
The highest-paying cities for life science taxonomists are Palo Alto, CA, Indianapolis, IN, and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palo Alto, CA | $58,703 | $28.22 |
| 2 | Indianapolis, IN | $51,898 | $24.95 |
| 3 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $48,429 | $23.28 |
A life science taxonomist's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $108,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $108,000 | $9,000 | $52 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,000 | $6,333 | $37 |
| Average | $51,598 | $4,300 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
Top companies hiring life science taxonomists now:
Life science taxonomist salaries at Kern Community College District and Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average life science taxonomist salary at companies like InfosysPublicService and Fortive are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kern Community College District | $131,397 | $63.17 |
| 2 | Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. | $104,033 | $50.02 |
| 3 | Infosys Public Service | $89,828 | $43.19 |
| 4 | Fortive | $83,245 | $40.02 |
| 5 | Stanford University | $81,626 | $39.24 |
| 6 | Broward County Public Schools | $45,220 | $21.74 |
The average life science taxonomist salary has risen by $11,094 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average life science taxonomist earned $40,504 annually, but today, they earn $51,598 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for life science taxonomists over the last decade.
Compare life science taxonomist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare life science taxonomist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $51,600 | $24.81 | +7.4% |
| 2024 | $47,800 | $22.96 | -3.0% |
| 2023 | $49,200 | $23.65 | +4.7% |
| 2022 | $46,900 | $22.55 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | $46,500 | $22.34 | +4.5% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle | Enterprise Cloud Sales-Healthcare and Life Sciences, Naci | Dover, DE | 05/21/2025 | $97,800 |
| Oracle | Enterprise Cloud Sales-Healthcare and Life Sciences, Naci | Springfield, IL | 04/17/2025 | $97,800 |
| Stanford Blood Center | Life Science Rsch Prof 2 | Ione, CA | 09/15/2024 | $71,000 |
| Stanford University | Life Science Rsch Prof 1 | Stanford, CA | 03/01/2024 | $53,000 |
| The Leland Stanford, Jr University | Life Science Research Prof 2 | Stanford, CA | 02/23/2024 | $90,000 |
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