Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for scientists, project leader in the United States
Scientist, project leader job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected scientist, project leader job growth rate is 17% from 2018-2028.
About 20,800 new jobs for scientists, project leader are projected over the next decade.
Scientist, project leader salaries have increased 14% for scientists, project leader in the last 5 years.
There are over 6,201 scientists, project leader currently employed in the United States.
There are 65,167 active scientist, project leader job openings in the US.
The average scientist, project leader salary is $109,425.
Are scientist, project leader jobs in demand?
Scientist, project leader job and salary trends over time
Scientist, project leader jobs over time
Scientist, project leader job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,201 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 7,204 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 7,265 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 6,873 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 6,380 | 0.00% |
Average scientist, project leader salary over time
Scientist, project leader salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $109,425 | $52.61 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $106,173 | $51.04 | +4.7% |
| 2023 | $101,414 | $48.76 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | $98,161 | $47.19 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $96,296 | $46.30 | --2.1% |
Scientist, project leader jobs by state
Most common states for scientists, project leader
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | 623,657 | 294 | 47% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 298 | 43% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 551 | 41% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 292 | 39% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,300 | 34% |
| 6 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 353 | 34% |
| 7 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 351 | 33% |
| 8 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 290 | 33% |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 3,680 | 29% |
| 10 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 543 | 28% |
| 11 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 380 | 28% |
| 12 | Alaska | 739,795 | 170 | 23% |
| 13 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 133 | 23% |
| 14 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,558 | 21% |
| 15 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,014 | 20% |
| 16 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,785 | 20% |
| 17 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,088 | 20% |
| 18 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,037 | 18% |
| 19 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 737 | 18% |
| 20 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 358 | 17% |
Scientist, Project Leader job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of scientist, project leader experts
Northeastern State University
Washburn University of Topeka
Northwestern University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Washington State University
University of Pittsburgh
University of Nebraska - Omaha
Quinnipiac University
University of Houston
Stephen F. Austin State University
Drexel University
University of New Hampshire
University of California, Berkeley
Rutgers University
Arizona State University
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Villanova University
What general advice would you give to a Scientist, Project Leader?
Dulanjani Wijayasekara Ph.D.: Having experience and a well highlighted skill set to match the job description. This can be obtained by pursuing advanced education and training, such as obtaining a master's or doctoral degree in the field you are interested in.
Susan Bjerke
Associate Professor of BiologyWashburn University of Topeka
Biological And Physical Sciences
What Scientist, Project Leader skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Susan Bjerke: Maximizing your salary is important, but don’t forget that jobs can come with other benefits that may compensate for a lower starting salary. For instance, maybe you get to work out in the field instead of being tied to a desk all day. Maybe you have the opportunity to work from home some of the time. Some employers offer matches for retirement plans or discounted health insurance for spouses. Negotiating for the best salary you can makes sense, but also look into those intangibles!
What will help Scientists, Project Leader increase their earning potential?
Nathaniel Stern: Within academic physics, your potential can be maximized by doing impactful work in graduate school that matters to other people. The next step is to communicate this impact broadly, and then figure out how to take the next step in the field. That is a lot of steps, but if one can successfully do those things in graduate school, they can build the profile, community, and intellectual leadership to demand the highest salary. Outside of academic physics, the requirements are probably not that different, but I do not have explicit knowledge of them myself. So I would fall back on the standard goals of innovation and communication, which should help one succeed in any knowledge-related career.
What general advice would you give to a Scientist, Project Leader?
Meghan McGee-Lawrence Ph.D.: Take full advantage of the education and training opportunities offered to you either while you are completing your degree or when you start your first post-degree position. Academic institutions and employers are invested in the success of their recruits and regularly provide professional development opportunities to help folks build up skillsets – so make time to seek out and capitalize on those opportunities when they are offered, and document them on your CV (curriculum vitae) / resumes.
What will help Scientists, Project Leader increase their earning potential?
Meghan McGee-Lawrence Ph.D.: Cast a wide net! A huge variety of career paths can be pursued with a degree like this, including industry, academic research, healthcare, education, and more. It is a very versatile degree, and can be a foundation for a multitude of different professions. Talk to recent graduates from your program (as many as possible!) and see what they did with their degree – the more information you can collect, the better prepared you’ll be to seek out opportunities yourself. Take the time to figure out where your interests lie – and understand that you may have to try a few different paths out before you find the right one for you. The first position you land after graduation doesn’t have to be the job you perform for the next 30 years of your life – so use each opportunity as a learning experience to figure out what you’d really like to do long-term.
What will help Scientists, Project Leader increase their earning potential?
Kristopher Koudelka Ph.D.: Always keep learning. These fields change fast! The leading edge is always unveiling new information that can be applied to the area you are working on, and there will be new techniques developed that allow you to answer questions in more efficient ways. You must learn to regularly update yourself through conversations, reading, conferences, and trainings. This change is fun and exciting, embrace it. It will keep your job feeling new.
What will help Scientists, Project Leader increase their earning potential?
Jason Ferrell: While technology is changing at a rapid pace and artificial intelligence will no doubt play an ever increasing role in life and science, I believe the foundations of success will not change. These include, 1. Being responsive and timely. 2. Possessing excellent written and oral communication skills. 3. Being a helpful team member. Regardless of skill set or expertise, these are three pillars of success.
What general advice would you give to a Scientist, Project Leader?
Jacob Nordman: Salary potential in my field of neuroscience almost always involves publications, awards, and technical acumen. Therefore, as I mentioned, it is important to start early looking for opportunities that can strengthen these areas. Another important aspect of getting high-profile, and thus high-paying, positions, is being able to tell a story with your research and career. Employers want to see that you have thought deeply and strategically about your career and where it’s going. This will allow them to believe you are a safe bet and worthy of their investment.
What will help Scientists, Project Leader increase their earning potential?
Lindsey du Toit: Take every opportunity you can to learn, network, and build an effective team of people that bring a greater breadth and depth of skills and expertise to the work on which you will be focusing. Cultivate a life-long sense of intellectual curiosity and learning. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Treat ignorance as an opportunity to learn. Questions demonstrate you want to understand the situation/problem effectively and that you are paying attention. Always demonstrate integrity in your work. It is one of the most valuable traits you can bring to your career. Be kind and supportive of your colleagues.
What will help Scientists, Project Leader increase their earning potential?
Arjumand Ghazi Ph. D: Having an advanced degree such as a PhD and even a few years postdoc is a good way to start at a higher level. It often allows one to make up for the reduced earnings during the training periods while increasing long-term earnings.
Andrew Riquier Ph.D.
InstructorUniversity of Nebraska - Omaha
Neurobiology And Neurosciences
What general advice would you give to a Scientist, Project Leader?
Andrew Riquier Ph.D.: Apply for the positions you want, even if you feel underqualified. I know plenty of people who have applied for jobs they didn't quite meet the requirements for, and got hired for other reasons. In my experience, many recent graduates choose to take time to strengthen their resumes by retaking classes, working jobs they don't particularly want to get experience, etc. There is some value in that, particularly if you have been unsuccessful attaining the position you want, or if you want to see if you even enjoy that type of work. But if you are confident in what you want to do, go for it; in the worst-case scenario, you are in the same position you would be if you hadn't applied, but now you have experience applying and have potentially gained a contact in the field.
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.
Professor of Biomedical SciencesQuinnipiac University
Microbiological Sciences And Immunology
What general advice would you give to a Scientist, Project Leader?
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.: Practice both public speaking (presentations, journal clubs, research meetings) as much as possible and also practice "elevator speeches".
Do more than the minimum. Is there a conference you can present at, a journal club you can be involved in, an ASM branch or student chapter to participate in.
What Scientist, Project Leader skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.: The first and foremost would be Critical Thinking. We live in a world where facts can be easily acquired, sometimes even by asking Siri/Alexa/ChatGPT/Google/etc. But critical thinking is timeless and priceless. I can ask anyone on the street what xyz is and they can look it up, but can they provide advice or interpret.
Also being a good steward towards science and being willing and able to communicate not just with peers as we are trained, but also with the public, the politicians, the board members. John Holdren*, stated that Scientists should be tithing at least 10 percent of their time to public service ... including activism. In the ever growing science denialism that is happening in our country being able to communicate science with the public is important. As Peter Hotaz states, "Anti-science propaganda is "killing Americans in unprecedented numbers,""
*Holdren is an American scientist who served as the senior advisor to President Barack Obama on science and technology issues through his roles as assistant to the president for science and technology, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and co-chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and a Research Professor in Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government
What will help Scientists, Project Leader increase their earning potential?
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.: Be passionate! Be curious! When I write a letter of recommendation I write a little about the obligatory "IQ" elements, how well their exam/assignment/course grade were, then I speak to their EQ, are they kind, helpful, respectful, considerate, etc. and I try to include an example of something that I witnessed regarding EQ. But the majority of the letter discussing PQ and CQ, their passion quotient and their curiosity quotient. A can write a much much better LOR for a student with high PQ and CQ than I can for one with just good grades. What have they read and what do they do in their spare time (and don't say that you can't afford a hobby, you can't afford not to have a hobby or an outlet, otherwise stress takes too much of a toll. Some of my most memorable student conversations are conversations that involved their curiosity, like a conversation about Bonnie Bassler's quorum sensing. Make sure that as you go through life you embrace Einstein's quote 'There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.'
The second piece of advice is: Know what you know, know what you don't know, be willing to admit what you don't know, and don't be afraid to ask questions, but try not to ask questions about simple things that one can easily look up as that indicates laziness rather than inquisitiveness.
The third piece of other advice would be to never give up. As "Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." Calvin Coolidge
Badri Roysam D.Sc.
Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen University Professor Chair, Electrical & Computer Engineering Department University of HoustonUniversity of Houston
Petroleum Engineering
What will help Scientists, Project Leader increase their earning potential?
Badri Roysam D.Sc.: Make yourself valuable, and become good at articulating your value proposition.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Scientist, Project Leader job market given the pandemic?
Darrell Fry: Hiring among chemists and biochemists will remain stronger as compared to the average unemployment rate during the pandemic, in part because chemists and biochemists produce "essential" items. However, connecting with an employer will be more difficult. Traditional avenues for employers and potential employees to make contact, such as the biannual National American Chemical Society Meeting, have been radically changed during the pandemic. Moreover, travel for potential employees to the job site for an interview are problematic.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Scientists, Project Leader?
Darrell Fry: Earning a degree from an University that takes time and effort to be accredited by either the American Chemical Society (ACS) and/or the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology(ASBMB) ensures the graduate will have marketable skills. Chemistry is a broad field, and there are numerous niches that a candidate can find; however, each niche has specialized skills. Younger chemists profit from being well read and having several mentors. Together, the candidate and their mentors, can build a marketable skill sets.
How have salaries changed over time for Scientists, Project Leader?
Darrell Fry: According to the American Chemical Society (ACS) salary survey, salaries have increased over the past 15 years.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Scientist, Project Leader job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Richard Knight Ph.D.: Based on a relatively small Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) class size (20-30 students), there appear to be an increased number of graduating students going into industrial rotational programs (Greene Tweed, J&J, etc.), and also of post-baccalaureate students pursuing graduate school opportunities, mostly PhD programs. Some employers offer financial support for graduate studies, such as a part-time technical MS or an MBA. These trends are likely to grow as employers seek to invest in new hires in order to add technical and business skills and also to retain new hires.
Jobs at larger, well established, companies are likely more attractive to current graduating students since they offer longer term job security than jobs in smaller companies. Startups are perceived as riskier, especially by students with loan repayments to make,
Drexel is a co-op school, and the majority of MSE majors complete three 6-month co-op jobs in industry during their 5-years of study, thus graduating with 18 months of hands-on, experiential learning. For the MSE class of 2020, 7 out of 9 students who had jobs prior to graduation reported them as being jobs with a previous co-op employer. Employers clearly value the relationships developed during co-op when hiring into full-time positions.
In terms of expectations from employers, undergraduate students with hands-on laboratory/research experience also tend to do well when seeking employment. Approximately 50 % of Drexel MSE undergraduates engage in undergraduate research during their studies, and some have co-author opportunities on journal publications.
Adaptability, flexibility and the ability to pivot quickly due to changing circumstances are also important skills. During the COVID-19 pandemic, with courses being taught largely remotely, Drexel students have been able to select a Pass/No-Pass option for grades as an alternative to the standard letter grade earned. While this obviously allows students protects a good CUM GPA it may not accurately reflect to prospective employers how well, or poorly, students have performed in their classes given that in many cases the Pass grade for a class can be as low as 50%. Students who have quickly adapted and embraced remote instruction and online learning, as imperfect as these may be, have, in general, done well and maintained good GPAs.
As ever, good written and oral communication skills are highly valued by employers, and can, to an extent, compensate for slight deficiencies in other areas. Enhanced "soft skills" will become increasingly important for new graduates, especially written skills. Employers are typically looking to hire graduates who will "fit in" with their existing corporate structures, and become good "team players".
Student mental health issues have increased noticeably during the pandemic, and are unlikely to abruptly cease upon graduation, so employers will need to become increasingly aware of and provide increased resources and support for new hires as they adjust/adapt to the working environment. One area of particular concern are students who receive ADA Accommodations (e.g. extra time on quizzes and exams, reduced distraction testing environments, etc.) in college. How well are these being handled in industrial environments? Are Universities doing enough to prepare students for the transition?
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Scientists, Project Leader?
Dr. Richard Knight Ph.D.: MSE majors, at least at Drexel, typically do not complete the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam while in college. In the last 5 or 6 years only one student has done this. Few graduating students enter into careers in the Product Liability or Expert Witness areas for which PE licensure would be necessary. A small number of students have taken classes relating to lean manufacturing/Six-Sigma techniques, which are increasingly important in industry.
A significant number of MSE majors do, however, pursue a broad range of minors in addition to their MSE major. Popular minors include Chemistry, Business, Nuclear Engineering, and other Engineering disciplines.
How have salaries changed over time for Scientists, Project Leader?
Dr. Richard Knight Ph.D.: Starting salaries for MSE program graduates have increased steadily over time. Pandemic era starting salaries for 2020 and 2021 appear to be holding up reasonably well compared to previous years. For MSE majors who graduated in 2020, and for whom only their final term was impacted by the pandemic, more than 60% reported starting salaries in the $80-90k range. In contrast, MSE majors graduating in 2021, for whom the majority of their senior year was remote/online, and who already have a job, report starting salaries in the $75-80k range, somewhat lower. Over time, more packages include incentives such as signing bonuses, relocation expenses, assistance with finding accommodation, and competitive benefits packages.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Scientist, Project Leader job market given the pandemic?
Stephanie Whitney: I expect quite the rebound in civil engineering, especially if some sort of infrastructure bill gets passed.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Scientists, Project Leader?
Stephanie Whitney: For our students, having the FE exam under their belt along with our ABET-accredited degree is key.
How have salaries changed over time for Scientists, Project Leader?
Stephanie Whitney: In general, they've been steadily trending upwards. Covid caused a decrease last year, but I suspect there will be a quick rebound.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Scientist, Project Leader job market given the pandemic?
Dennis Baldocchi: We received 130 applications for a plant ecology position, with 70 who are postdocs. So supply is surely outpacing demand. We got a lot of people interested in below ground processes, so if there is a trend, connecting below ground is becoming more possible and more important. With all the dna sequencing we are starting. Another cohort is working on the Earth System modeling connection to Ecology and how ecosystems are responding to land use change, changing climate etc
How have salaries changed over time for Scientists, Project Leader?
Dennis Baldocchi: I think 9-month appointments at Univ are vastly under paying these talented people, who I am sure do better at National Labs and Industry.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Scientist, Project Leader job market given the pandemic?
Jay Tischfield: In terms of the largest number of jobs, companies are hiring people familiar with medium and large-scale lab automation, quality assurance protocols and data
What technical skills for a Scientist, Project Leader stand out to employers?
Jay Tischfield: Computational and data analysis skills. Quantitative analysis of biological data.
How have salaries changed over time for Scientists, Project Leader?
Jay Tischfield: Salaries have increased for newish graduates with some experience.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Scientist, Project Leader job market given the pandemic?
Patricia Rankin: The pandemic has shown both the promise of remote work and the potential downsides. I anticipate that there will be more flexibility in the working arrangements in situations were this is possible (Zoom meetings will substitute for some meetings that formerly required travel, people may plan their working days to be on-site or off-site (home)). Some people may decide they want careers that allow this flexibility.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Scientists, Project Leader?
Patricia Rankin: Experience with computing/computational physics is important (but also pretty standard for any physics degree). Work in a lab can help show ability to work independently/problem solve.
How have salaries changed over time for Scientists, Project Leader?
Patricia Rankin: Salaries have been trending up - but there is a wide range and it depends on the level you look at e.g Bachelor's degrees or PhD's . If you have a PhD you earn more on average but the range is also larger (the AIP has some good statistics here e.g. https://www.aip.org/taxonomy/term/152 ). Physicists are generally at the higher end of pay scales and competitive with most engineering fields (not computer science). Physics graduates are problem solvers with excellent quantitative skills that puts them in high demand which helps protect salaries.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Scientists, Project Leader?
Paul Braun Ph.D.: In general no. The demands for highly educated workers remains strong, and while the details of the nature of the work may change, the demand for graduates with strong technical backgrounds remains robust.
What's a good job out of college for Scientists, Project Leader?
Paul Braun Ph.D.: Most students in our major are able to find the career opportunities they desire.
What will help Scientists, Project Leader increase their earning potential?
Paul Braun Ph.D.: A strong grounding in technology and the science underpinning technology is always important, as is the ability to lead teams of high performing individuals.
Dr. Joey Neilsen
Assistant ProfessorVillanova University
Physics Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Scientist, Project Leader job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Joey Neilsen: I think the biggest trend is going to be that employers, whether in the private sector or in academia, are likely to be more selective. This means they will be looking for additional distinguishing factors beyond completion of a particular degree program, such as internships or research experience. At Villanova, we strongly encourage our students to get involved in our research: it's great for developing analytical and professional skills, but it also helps students build career networks that can turn into letters of recommendation or job prospects down the line. Given newer uncertainties in the market, I think students should make sure to take advantage of any research opportunities they can. But Physics majors generally have strong employment prospects, and roughly 95% of Physics Bachelor's degree recipients are employed one year after graduation, according to the American Institute of Physics.
What technical skills for a Scientist, Project Leader stand out to employers?
Dr. Joey Neilsen: I think programming skills and data analysis/statistics are especially valuable right now, while data science is so big. Our students take a year of Computational Physics in Python, and we integrate Python into some of our upper-level courses and labs as well. Our recent graduates, both in academia and the private sector, report using those skills on a regular basis. Two other skills that US Physics graduates report using regularly are technical problem solving and technical writing. This makes lots of sense from an employer perspective: you want to hire people who can identify and solve problems and then clearly explain the solution to your team. This is a great reason to let those lab reports shine!
How have salaries changed over time for Scientists, Project Leader?
Dr. Joey Neilsen: Salaries for new Physics graduates are rising fairly steadily. For example, US Physics majors from the class of 2013-2014 reported making between about $42,000 and about $65,000 per year while working in private sector STEM jobs (that's the middle 50% of salaries). For 2017-2018 (the most recent years where national data are available), that same range is more like $50,000 to $70,000 per year.