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The average salary for a science technician is $35,570 annually. However, salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as location and experience level.
Geographic location plays a critical role in determining salary. States like California and New York often offer higher wages due to a higher cost of living and demand for skilled professionals. Additionally, experience greatly impacts earnings; technicians with more than five years of experience can earn significantly more than entry-level counterparts.
Science technicians can explore various fields, including laboratory technology, environmental science, and forensic analysis. Each of these areas offers unique opportunities for advancement and increased earning potential. Staying informed about industry trends and pursuing further education can also enhance career prospects.
In conclusion, understanding the salary landscape for science technicians helps individuals plan their career paths effectively. By considering factors such as location and experience, aspiring technicians can position themselves for success in this rewarding field.
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The average science technician salary in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average science technician salary states are Montana, North Dakota, and Alabama.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $60,333 | $29.01 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $54,211 | $26.06 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $49,002 | $23.56 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $53,538 | $25.74 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $49,935 | $24.01 |
| 6 | New York | $48,592 | $23.36 |
| 7 | Illinois | $41,332 | $19.87 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | $38,398 | $18.46 |
| 9 | Maine | $37,720 | $18.13 |
| 10 | Wyoming | $35,916 | $17.27 |
| 11 | Arkansas | $36,915 | $17.75 |
| 12 | Maryland | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| 13 | Tennessee | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| 14 | New Mexico | $37,087 | $17.83 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $42,114 | $20.25 |
| 16 | Delaware | $37,108 | $17.84 |
| 17 | Michigan | $35,745 | $17.19 |
| 18 | Washington | $39,915 | $19.19 |
| 19 | Vermont | $34,455 | $16.56 |
| 20 | Ohio | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| 21 | Oklahoma | $35,625 | $17.13 |
| 22 | Minnesota | $35,853 | $17.24 |
| 23 | Georgia | $37,754 | $18.15 |
| 24 | West Virginia | $32,476 | $15.61 |
| 25 | Nebraska | $33,932 | $16.31 |
| 26 | Alaska | $32,819 | $15.78 |
| 27 | California | $39,731 | $19.10 |
| 28 | Iowa | $35,148 | $16.90 |
| 29 | Texas | $36,107 | $17.36 |
| 30 | Mississippi | $33,060 | $15.89 |
| 31 | District of Columbia | $38,828 | $18.67 |
| 32 | Idaho | $32,473 | $15.61 |
| 33 | Oregon | $34,476 | $16.57 |
| 34 | Missouri | $30,560 | $14.69 |
| 35 | Colorado | $33,816 | $16.26 |
| 36 | Florida | $32,802 | $15.77 |
| 37 | Kentucky | $30,271 | $14.55 |
| 38 | Virginia | $34,792 | $16.73 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $30,919 | $14.86 |
| 40 | Louisiana | $32,844 | $15.79 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $29,207 | $14.04 |
| 42 | Hawaii | $32,876 | $15.81 |
| 43 | Kansas | $30,093 | $14.47 |
| 44 | Nevada | $27,916 | $13.42 |
| 45 | Montana | $27,439 | $13.19 |
| 46 | North Dakota | $27,271 | $13.11 |
| 47 | Arizona | $28,268 | $13.59 |
| 48 | South Dakota | $27,183 | $13.07 |
| 49 | Alabama | $27,214 | $13.08 |
| 50 | Indiana | $27,188 | $13.07 |
| 51 | Utah | $26,722 | $12.85 |
The highest-paying cities for science technicians are Boston, MA, Bridgewater, NJ, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $60,384 | $29.03 |
| 2 | Bridgewater, NJ | $49,422 | $23.76 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $48,654 | $23.39 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $42,844 | $20.60 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $41,454 | $19.93 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $41,057 | $19.74 |
| 7 | Olympia, WA | $40,151 | $19.30 |
| 8 | Baltimore, MD | $39,361 | $18.92 |
| 9 | Washington, DC | $38,865 | $18.69 |
| 10 | Portland, ME | $38,441 | $18.48 |
| 11 | Madison, WI | $38,225 | $18.38 |
| 12 | Cleveland, OH | $38,098 | $18.32 |
| 13 | Las Cruces, NM | $37,556 | $18.06 |
| 14 | Austin, TX | $36,249 | $17.43 |
| 15 | Arlington, VA | $36,213 | $17.41 |
| 16 | Eagan, MN | $35,821 | $17.22 |
| 17 | Ankeny, IA | $35,053 | $16.85 |
| 18 | Miami, FL | $32,907 | $15.82 |
| 19 | Morrisville, NC | $29,450 | $14.16 |
A science technician's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $47,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
| 75th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| Average | $35,570 | $2,964 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
The highest paying types of science technicians are research and development technician, biologist, and research assistant, chemistry department.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laboratory Internship | $35,305 | $2,942 | $16.97 | 90,970 |
| Biologist | $65,158 | $5,430 | $31.33 | 5,741 |
| Laboratory Researcher | $27,760 | $2,313 | $13.35 | 57,359 |
| Research Laboratory Technician | $38,308 | $3,192 | $18.42 | 86,476 |
| Microbiological Laboratory Technician | $38,713 | $3,226 | $18.61 | 44,567 |
| Biology Laboratory Technician | $38,514 | $3,209 | $18.52 | 45,470 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for science technicians, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Shailesh Lal
Professor, Oakland University
Top companies hiring science technicians now:
Science technician salaries at Wayfair and iGATE Global Solutions are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average science technician salary at companies like Novartis and Vertex Pharmaceuticals are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wayfair | $121,287 | $58.31 |
| 2 | iGATE Global Solutions | $76,535 | $36.80 |
| 3 | Novartis | $67,294 | $32.35 |
| 4 | Vertex Pharmaceuticals | $65,792 | $31.63 |
| 5 | Accenture | $63,014 | $30.30 |
| 6 | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $60,285 | $28.98 |
| 7 | Los Alamos National Laboratory | $60,028 | $28.86 |
| 8 | Amazon | $58,875 | $28.31 |
| 9 | Regeneron | $56,158 | $27.00 |
| 10 | Halliburton | $51,502 | $24.76 |
| 11 | O-I Glass | $50,797 | $24.42 |
| 12 | Stanford University | $48,620 | $23.38 |
| 13 | Emerson | $47,972 | $23.06 |
| 14 | UPS | $46,676 | $22.44 |
| 15 | RSM US | $44,531 | $21.41 |
| 16 | National Renewable Energy Laboratory | $43,035 | $20.69 |
| 17 | FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies | $42,941 | $20.64 |
| 18 | National Park Foundation | $40,189 | $19.32 |
| 19 | US Meat Animal Research Center | $39,475 | $18.98 |
| 20 | FUJIFILM Medical Systems USA | $38,991 | $18.75 |
The average science technician salary has risen by $5,265 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average science technician earned $30,305 annually, but today, they earn $35,570 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for science technicians over the last decade.
Compare science technician salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare science technician salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $35,600 | $17.10 | +1.0% |
| 2025 | $35,200 | $16.92 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $34,200 | $16.42 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $33,600 | $16.16 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | $32,600 | $15.69 | +2.0% |
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