Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Research geneticist salary
Average research geneticist salary
$75,323
Average Research Geneticist Salary
The average salary for a Research Geneticist as of October 2025 stands at $75,323 per year. This figure may vary based on numerous factors, including geographical location, industry specialization, and years of experience. For instance, geneticists working in biotechnology firms or academic research institutions may notice different pay scales.
How Much Does a Research Geneticist Make?
On average, Research Geneticists earn around $36 per hour. Entry-level positions typically start at a lower salary, while those with advanced degrees or extensive experience can command higher wages. For example, geneticists with over ten years in the field may earn upwards of $90,000 annually.
Where Can a Research Geneticist Earn More?
States such as California, Massachusetts, and Washington offer higher salaries due to the concentration of biotech and pharmaceutical companies. Exploring job opportunities in these regions can enhance earning potential significantly. Additionally, factors like industry demand and specific skill sets can influence salary outcomes.
Let Zippia find your next research geneticist job
Let Zippia find your next research geneticist job
Where can a Research Geneticist earn more?
Research geneticist salary estimates from across the web
Average research geneticist salary by state
The highest-paying states for research geneticists are California, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The lowest average research geneticist salary states are North Dakota, Mississippi, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for research geneticists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $97,044 | $46.66 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $95,159 | $45.75 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $85,648 | $41.18 |
| 4 | Tennessee | $82,095 | $39.47 |
| 5 | Oregon | $78,936 | $37.95 |
| 6 | Maine | $84,538 | $40.64 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $87,511 | $42.07 |
| 8 | California | $109,506 | $52.65 |
| 9 | Montana | $85,341 | $41.03 |
| 10 | Delaware | $79,880 | $38.40 |
| 11 | Nevada | $83,655 | $40.22 |
| 12 | Maryland | $76,304 | $36.68 |
| 13 | New York | $74,819 | $35.97 |
| 14 | Arizona | $77,287 | $37.16 |
| 15 | Illinois | $77,022 | $37.03 |
| 16 | Hawaii | $90,847 | $43.68 |
| 17 | Alaska | $89,359 | $42.96 |
| 18 | Michigan | $72,926 | $35.06 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $72,764 | $34.98 |
| 20 | Indiana | $76,619 | $36.84 |
| 21 | Vermont | $70,801 | $34.04 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $68,890 | $33.12 |
| 23 | Oklahoma | $73,809 | $35.49 |
| 24 | Ohio | $71,177 | $34.22 |
| 25 | New Hampshire | $69,225 | $33.28 |
| 26 | Wyoming | $67,782 | $32.59 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $73,450 | $35.31 |
| 28 | Washington | $77,477 | $37.25 |
| 29 | Colorado | $65,892 | $31.68 |
| 30 | Wisconsin | $67,024 | $32.22 |
| 31 | Idaho | $68,287 | $32.83 |
| 32 | Arkansas | $67,202 | $32.31 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $61,685 | $29.66 |
| 34 | Texas | $63,312 | $30.44 |
| 35 | Nebraska | $57,703 | $27.74 |
| 36 | South Dakota | $58,865 | $28.30 |
| 37 | Virginia | $59,937 | $28.82 |
| 38 | Florida | $61,837 | $29.73 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $61,687 | $29.66 |
| 40 | West Virginia | $55,889 | $26.87 |
| 41 | Kansas | $59,270 | $28.50 |
| 42 | Georgia | $59,207 | $28.46 |
| 43 | Alabama | $58,924 | $28.33 |
| 44 | Utah | $47,184 | $22.68 |
| 45 | District of Columbia | $64,813 | $31.16 |
| 46 | Iowa | $56,063 | $26.95 |
| 47 | Missouri | $50,274 | $24.17 |
| 48 | North Dakota | $54,472 | $26.19 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $53,379 | $25.66 |
| 50 | South Carolina | $53,349 | $25.65 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $49,561 | $23.83 |
Highest paying cities for research geneticists
The highest-paying cities for research geneticists are Hayward, CA, Kailua, HI, and Hendersonville, TN.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hayward, CA | $116,033 | $55.79 |
| 2 | Kailua, HI | $91,121 | $43.81 |
| 3 | Hendersonville, TN | $81,906 | $39.38 |
| 4 | West Lafayette, IN | $76,613 | $36.83 |
| 5 | Frederick, MD | $76,025 | $36.55 |
| 6 | Raleigh, NC | $73,768 | $35.47 |
| 7 | Pullman, WA | $72,828 | $35.01 |
| 8 | Saint Paul, MN | $72,820 | $35.01 |
| 9 | Madison, WI | $66,888 | $32.16 |
| 10 | Fort Collins, CO | $65,783 | $31.63 |
| 11 | Miami, FL | $61,066 | $29.36 |
| 12 | Manhattan, KS | $59,134 | $28.43 |
| 13 | Lincoln, NE | $57,775 | $27.78 |
Research geneticist salary details
A research geneticist's salary ranges from $51,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $110,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a research geneticist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $110,000 | $9,167 | $53 |
| 75th Percentile | $92,000 | $7,667 | $44 |
| Average | $75,323 | $6,277 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,000 | $5,083 | $29 |
| 10th Percentile | $51,000 | $4,250 | $25 |
Highest paying research geneticist jobs
The highest paying types of research geneticists 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 |
| Postdoctoral Scholar | $57,587 | $4,799 | $27.69 | 18,983 |
| Principal Scientist | $119,982 | $9,998 | $57.68 | 80,899 |
| Medical Science Liaison | $145,718 | $12,143 | $70.06 | 57,208 |
| Research Laboratory Manager | $64,333 | $5,361 | $30.93 | 89,981 |
Top companies hiring research geneticists now:
Which companies pay research geneticists the most?
Research geneticist salaries at Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and PIC (Pig Improvement Company) are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average research geneticist salary at companies like Mendel Biotechnology and US Meat Animal Research Center are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Department of Agriculture and Fisheries | $77,325 | $37.18 |
| 2 | PIC (Pig Improvement Company) | $77,079 | $37.06 |
| 3 | Mendel Biotechnology | $73,222 | $35.20 |
| 4 | US Meat Animal Research Center | $71,713 | $34.48 |
| 5 | United States Department of Justice | $70,536 | $33.91 |
| 6 | U.S. Department of Education | $63,586 | $30.57 |
| 7 | USDA | $62,027 | $29.82 |
| 8 | Cheetah Conservation Fund | $46,134 | $22.18 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Research geneticist salary trends
The average research geneticist salary has risen by $12,659 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average research geneticist earned $62,664 annually, but today, they earn $75,323 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for research geneticists over the last decade.
Compare research geneticist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average research geneticist salary over time
Compare research geneticist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Research geneticist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $75,300 | $36.21 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | $73,100 | $35.14 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $69,800 | $33.56 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $67,600 | $32.49 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $66,300 | $31.87 | -2.1% |
Recently added research geneticist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture | Research Geneticist (Plants) | Madison, WI | 12/05/2024 | $86,962 |
| Department of Agriculture | Research Geneticist (Plants) | Parlier, CA | 11/25/2024 | $87,208 |
| Department of Agriculture | Research Geneticist | Florence, SC | 10/12/2024 | $86,962 |
| Department of Agriculture | Research Geneticist/Chemist (Research Associate) | Saint Paul, MN | 09/21/2024 | $78,969 |
| Intellectt Inc. | Research Geneticist/Molecular Biologist/Microbiologist | Madison, WI | 09/14/2024 | $47,479 |
| United States Department of Agriculture | Research Geneticist Plants | Downe, NJ | 09/11/2024 | $95,694 |
| Department of Agriculture | Research Geneticist Plants | Downe, NJ | 08/27/2024 | $95,694 |
| Department of Agriculture | Research Geneticist/Molecular Biologist/Microbiologist | Madison, WI | 07/26/2024 | $72,553 |
| Department of Agriculture | Research Geneticist | Charleston, SC | 07/25/2024 | $86,962 |
| Department of Agriculture | Research Geneticist | Charleston, SC | 07/25/2024 | $86,962 |
Research geneticist salary FAQs
Search for research geneticist jobs