Becoming a Scientist via Online Education?

At the very least, online education can help you lay a foundation and/or open up alternate career paths. Ashford University, one of the highest ranking online schools, is a US school (accredited) offering science courses to train individuals to become top-notch scientists, information scientists, bioengineers, biophysicists, anthropologists, biochemists, biomathematicians, biologists, bioinformatics specialists, etc. Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 1,308,380 people employed as life, physical, and social science employees alone in America, and their average annual salary is $65,660. Mathematicians make on average $93,920 per year and there are about 2,770 of them employed today. Colleges and universities like Ashford University that provide online education are successfully launching workers into this field.

Typical Work Locations for a Scientist
  • school
  • university
  • zoo
  • hospital
  • forensic lab
  • fbi building
  • police office
  • museum
  • publication center
  • journalist office
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as a Scientist
  • explore the unknown
  • recognition for discoveries
  • wide variety of disciplines to work in
  • wide variety of agencies/companies to work for
  • continuing education
  • self satisfaction
  • continue to expand others knowledge
  • can find jobs worldwide
  • constantly changing and evolving
  • ability to use inteligence
Potential Drawbacks
  • working late hours
  • often travel
  • no job security
  • security issues
  • monotonous in nature
  • income fluctuations
  • maintaining enthusiasm
  • stress in work
  • less oppertunity to job growth
  • not good environment for working
Related Professions to Consider
  • Biological Scientist
  • Formulation Scientist
  • Research Scientist
  • Forestry Scientist
  • Soil Scientist
  • Field Application Scientist
  • Senior Scientist
  • Bioprocess Lead Scientist
  • Engineer
  • Chemist
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be a Scientist
  • Which other companies have you applied to?
  • What do you know about our company?
  • What do you have to offer in terms of education?
  • What skills and attributes do you have that made you suitable for the job?
  • What jobs have you done and what skills have you learned from them?
  • What is your degree in?
  • How do you deal with people?
  • What experience do you have of analytical techniques?
  • What laboratory experience have you gained is your courses?
  • What practical techniques have you carried out in University Labs?
Common Collaborating Professions
  • Herpetologists
  • Ecologists
  • Paleontologists
  • Physiologists
  • Biochemists
  • Meteorologists
  • Marine biologists
  • Volcanologists
  • Glaciologists
  • Geologists
Scientist Training books Scientist (More) Popular books Potential Companies to Work For Common College Majors
  • Physics
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Geography
  • Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Pharmacy
  • Math
  • Environmental Science
  • Biotechnology

Scientist Salary Information

Category: Mathematicians

Total # Employed in the US 2,770
Average Hourly Wage: $45.16/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$24.5 $32.15 $44.99 $55.61 $68.49
Average Yearly Salary $93,920
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$50,960 $66,870 $93,580 $115,670 $142,460
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.4% 1.4% 4.9% 3.2% 28.1% 38.5% 23.6%
Mathematicians — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Colorado $52.12/hr $108,410
Mississippi $50.4/hr $104,840
Kansas $49.39/hr $102,720
Connecticut $46.43/hr $96,580
North Dakota $44.95/hr $93,490
South Carolina $44.46/hr $92,480
Oregon $44.04/hr $91,600
Wisconsin $43.52/hr $90,520
Delaware $43.27/hr $89,990
Nevada $39.78/hr $82,740
Oklahoma $39.51/hr $82,170
Hawaii $39.08/hr $81,290
Wyoming $35.42/hr $73,680
Alabama $33.69/hr $70,070
Guam $33.61/hr $69,900
Missouri $32.57/hr $67,750


Category: Operations research analysts

Total # Employed in the US 60,960
Average Hourly Wage: $36.23/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$19.24 $24.99 $33.69 $45.33 $57.28
Average Yearly Salary $75,370
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$40,030 $51,970 $70,070 $94,290 $119,140
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.6% 6.6% 18.4% 7.8% 40.0% 23.0% 3.6%
Operations research analysts — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Oklahoma $45.41/hr $94,450
Virginia $44.84/hr $93,270
Alaska $43.59/hr $90,660
Florida $42.73/hr $88,880
North Dakota $42.3/hr $87,980
Mississippi $41/hr $85,290
Montana $40.81/hr $84,880
New York $39.68/hr $82,540
Missouri $39.34/hr $81,830
Colorado $39.17/hr $81,470
Maine $39.02/hr $81,160
Delaware $38.9/hr $80,920
Indiana $38.88/hr $80,860
Ohio $38/hr $79,030
Connecticut $36.3/hr $75,510
Kentucky $36.19/hr $75,280
Alabama $36.04/hr $74,970
Utah $36.01/hr $74,900
South Carolina $35.72/hr $74,290
Kansas $35.3/hr $73,420
Wyoming $35.27/hr $73,350
Tennessee $33.06/hr $68,760
Nebraska $32.94/hr $68,510
Oregon $32.32/hr $67,230
Maryland $32.07/hr $66,700
Wisconsin $31.91/hr $66,380
Idaho $31.85/hr $66,240
New Hampshire $31.68/hr $65,900
New Mexico $31.2/hr $64,890
Iowa $31.13/hr $64,750
South Dakota $31.06/hr $64,610
Arkansas $30.85/hr $64,170
Washington $30.78/hr $64,020
North Carolina $30.55/hr $63,540
District of Columbia $30.55/hr $63,540
Michigan $30.51/hr $63,470
Hawaii $27.74/hr $57,700
Nevada $27.43/hr $57,060
Guam $27.03/hr $56,230
Louisiana $26.39/hr $54,880
Pennsylvania $25.7/hr $53,450
California $25.15/hr $52,320
Massachusetts $23.77/hr $49,430
New Jersey $23.77/hr $49,450
West Virginia $23.47/hr $48,820


Category: Biomedical engineers

Total # Employed in the US 14,760
Average Hourly Wage: $39.69/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$23.79 $29.32 $37.92 $48.5 $59.27
Average Yearly Salary $82,550
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$49,480 $60,980 $78,860 $100,890 $123,270
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.0% 2.5% 8.9% 14.1% 47.2% 20.2% 7.1%
Biomedical engineers — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Nebraska $46.6/hr $96,930
Missouri $44.72/hr $93,030
Arkansas $44.35/hr $92,250
Colorado $43.55/hr $90,590
Delaware $41.9/hr $87,150
Mississippi $41.17/hr $85,620
North Dakota $41.05/hr $85,390
Virginia $40.86/hr $85,000
Washington $40.07/hr $83,340
Oregon $39.78/hr $82,740
Oklahoma $39.33/hr $81,800
Guam $39.3/hr $81,750
Kansas $39.29/hr $81,730
South Carolina $38.08/hr $79,200
Ohio $37.7/hr $78,420
Utah $35.96/hr $74,800
Connecticut $35.89/hr $74,650
Hawaii $35.54/hr $73,930
Michigan $35.27/hr $73,360
Montana $35.22/hr $73,260
Louisiana $34.05/hr $70,820
New Hampshire $32.99/hr $68,620
New Mexico $32.82/hr $68,270
Wisconsin $32.1/hr $66,770
Wyoming $32.08/hr $66,730
New Jersey $32.01/hr $66,580
Alabama $31.88/hr $66,310
Idaho $31.74/hr $66,020
Tennessee $30.16/hr $62,720
Florida $30.13/hr $62,670
Kentucky $29.1/hr $60,530
Massachusetts $23.64/hr $49,180
Nevada $21.3/hr $44,310


Category: Animal scientists

Total # Employed in the US 2,190
Average Hourly Wage: $31.02/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$15.25 $19.68 $27.38 $39.68 $51.77
Average Yearly Salary $64,510
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$31,730 $40,930 $56,960 $82,540 $107,680
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.5% 4.2% 8.9% 7.5% 41.4% 23.4% 14.2%
Animal scientists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Mississippi $50.84/hr $105,750
North Dakota $38.64/hr $80,370
New Hampshire $32.86/hr $68,350
Louisiana $32.77/hr $68,170
Maine $32.55/hr $67,700
Maryland $31.25/hr $65,010
Michigan $30.43/hr $63,300
South Dakota $30.25/hr $62,930
Hawaii $27.81/hr $57,850
Wyoming $27.67/hr $57,540
Nebraska $26.79/hr $55,720
South Carolina $24.75/hr $51,490
Nevada $22.75/hr $47,310
West Virginia $17.83/hr $37,080


Category: Food scientists and technologists

Total # Employed in the US 10,790
Average Hourly Wage: $30.95/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$16.6 $21.25 $28.67 $38.43 $49.6
Average Yearly Salary $64,370
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$34,530 $44,190 $59,630 $79,920 $103,160
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.5% 4.2% 8.9% 7.5% 41.4% 23.4% 14.2%
Food scientists and technologists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
North Dakota $42.48/hr $88,360
Missouri $35.77/hr $74,410
Nebraska $35.68/hr $74,220
Colorado $33.54/hr $69,760
Oklahoma $32.49/hr $67,590
Mississippi $32.46/hr $67,510
Maine $32.09/hr $66,760
Maryland $31.88/hr $66,310
Wyoming $31.64/hr $65,820
South Carolina $31.15/hr $64,780
Utah $30.83/hr $64,120
Idaho $30.73/hr $63,910
Puerto Rico $30.71/hr $63,880
Montana $30.51/hr $63,470
Delaware $30.27/hr $62,960
Guam $30.17/hr $62,750
Iowa $29.46/hr $61,280
Pennsylvania $29.06/hr $60,440
New Hampshire $28.68/hr $59,650
Kansas $28.4/hr $59,080
Louisiana $27.9/hr $58,020
Washington $27.51/hr $57,210
Arkansas $27.17/hr $56,520
Wisconsin $26.75/hr $55,650
Nevada $25.53/hr $53,110
Kentucky $24.38/hr $50,700
Hawaii $24.07/hr $50,060
California $23.64/hr $49,180
Oregon $23.26/hr $48,380
New Mexico $23.08/hr $48,010
West Virginia $22.95/hr $47,730
South Dakota $22.51/hr $46,830
Tennessee $22.19/hr $46,150


Category: Soil and plant scientists

Total # Employed in the US 11,830
Average Hourly Wage: $31.34/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$16.79 $21.67 $28.45 $37.79 $51.76
Average Yearly Salary $65,180
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$34,930 $45,070 $59,180 $78,590 $107,670
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.5% 4.2% 8.9% 7.5% 41.4% 23.4% 14.2%
Soil and plant scientists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
New York $68.64/hr $142,770
Mississippi $41.55/hr $86,420
Delaware $38.32/hr $79,710
New Hampshire $37.77/hr $78,550
Hawaii $37.2/hr $77,370
Colorado $35.99/hr $74,860
Missouri $35.14/hr $73,080
Alabama $35.08/hr $72,960
Nebraska $34.93/hr $72,650
Alaska $34.57/hr $71,910
Kansas $34.47/hr $71,700
Indiana $33.93/hr $70,580
North Dakota $33.72/hr $70,130
Massachusetts $33.45/hr $69,570
Ohio $32.82/hr $68,280
Nevada $32.54/hr $67,680
Kentucky $32.44/hr $67,470
Puerto Rico $32.2/hr $66,980
Oklahoma $31.56/hr $65,650
Washington $31.26/hr $65,030
Louisiana $31.18/hr $64,860
Oregon $30.72/hr $63,890
Tennessee $30.57/hr $63,580
Connecticut $29.52/hr $61,400
California $29.15/hr $60,640
Utah $28.45/hr $59,170
Guam $28.17/hr $58,600
Wisconsin $28.14/hr $58,530
Arkansas $27.75/hr $57,710
Pennsylvania $27.32/hr $56,820
Montana $27.29/hr $56,760
District of Columbia $27.03/hr $56,220
Iowa $26.99/hr $56,130
South Carolina $26.54/hr $55,210
Maine $26.52/hr $55,150
Wyoming $25.98/hr $54,030
Michigan $25.34/hr $52,720
South Dakota $25.25/hr $52,530
West Virginia $25.05/hr $52,100
Idaho $24.99/hr $51,980
Maryland $24.95/hr $51,900
New Jersey $24.88/hr $51,750
New Mexico $24.22/hr $50,370


Category: Biochemists and biophysicists

Total # Employed in the US 22,860
Average Hourly Wage: $42.57/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$21.63 $28.82 $39.61 $51.93 $66.74
Average Yearly Salary $88,550
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$44,990 $59,950 $82,390 $108,010 $138,820
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.1% 0.9% 2.6% 3.3% 43.2% 30.2% 19.8%
Biochemists and biophysicists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Utah $50.64/hr $105,320
Florida $48.21/hr $100,270
North Dakota $46.25/hr $96,190
Missouri $45.88/hr $95,420
Delaware $45.5/hr $94,640
District of Columbia $45.21/hr $94,030
Kentucky $45.04/hr $93,680
Idaho $44.18/hr $91,900
Montana $44/hr $91,510
Connecticut $43.05/hr $89,540
Colorado $43.01/hr $89,460
Kansas $42.4/hr $88,190
Oklahoma $42.02/hr $87,400
Wisconsin $41.63/hr $86,580
Wyoming $40.95/hr $85,180
Louisiana $40.89/hr $85,050
Guam $40.65/hr $84,550
Mississippi $40.19/hr $83,590
Oregon $38.79/hr $80,680
Washington $36.62/hr $76,170
Hawaii $36.59/hr $76,120
Indiana $35.79/hr $74,450
New Mexico $34.53/hr $71,830
South Carolina $33.07/hr $68,780
Alabama $31.19/hr $64,870
Nebraska $28.62/hr $59,530
New Hampshire $26.8/hr $55,750
Arkansas $25.68/hr $53,410
Tennessee $24.71/hr $51,400
Massachusetts $24.34/hr $50,630


Category: Microbiologists

Total # Employed in the US 16,260
Average Hourly Wage: $34.61/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$18.82 $23.92 $32.01 $42.84 $54.4
Average Yearly Salary $71,980
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$39,150 $49,750 $66,580 $89,110 $113,150
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.1% 0.9% 2.6% 3.3% 43.2% 30.2% 19.8%
Microbiologists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Mississippi $46.46/hr $96,640
Florida $45.56/hr $94,770
Idaho $42.81/hr $89,030
Delaware $39.04/hr $81,190
Colorado $38.21/hr $79,470
Iowa $37.33/hr $77,650
North Dakota $36.62/hr $76,160
Utah $35.85/hr $74,570
Louisiana $34.74/hr $72,250
Kansas $34.29/hr $71,320
Oklahoma $34.02/hr $70,760
Missouri $33.93/hr $70,580
New Hampshire $33.06/hr $68,760
Michigan $32.69/hr $68,000
New Jersey $32.49/hr $67,570
New Mexico $32.19/hr $66,960
South Carolina $31.98/hr $66,520
District of Columbia $31.44/hr $65,400
California $30.99/hr $64,460
Connecticut $30.83/hr $64,120
Nevada $30.65/hr $63,750
Nebraska $29.62/hr $61,600
Oregon $29.58/hr $61,530
Montana $29.51/hr $61,390
Indiana $28.7/hr $59,700
Alabama $27.96/hr $58,150
Alaska $27.71/hr $57,630
Wyoming $27.69/hr $57,590
Guam $27.66/hr $57,540
Hawaii $27.42/hr $57,030
Arkansas $27.33/hr $56,840
Washington $27.28/hr $56,740
Kentucky $26.36/hr $54,830
Wisconsin $24.3/hr $50,550
Maryland $24.15/hr $50,240
Maine $23.97/hr $49,850
West Virginia $23.45/hr $48,780


Category: Conservation scientists

Total # Employed in the US 16,810
Average Hourly Wage: $29.41/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$17.1 $22.18 $28.92 $35.26 $42.25
Average Yearly Salary $61,180
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$35,570 $46,140 $60,160 $73,340 $87,890
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.8% 1.1% 7.2% 6.5% 62.8% 18.2% 3.5%
Conservation scientists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Alaska $40.76/hr $84,790
Hawaii $35.7/hr $74,260
Florida $35.61/hr $74,070
Massachusetts $33.79/hr $70,290
North Carolina $33.47/hr $69,620
Delaware $33.47/hr $69,610
Colorado $33.24/hr $69,140
Mississippi $33.24/hr $69,130
Maine $32.8/hr $68,230
Kansas $32.64/hr $67,890
California $32.43/hr $67,450
Washington $32.43/hr $67,450
Indiana $32.42/hr $67,440
Wisconsin $32.04/hr $66,630
Tennessee $31.67/hr $65,870
Maryland $31.26/hr $65,030
South Dakota $30.92/hr $64,320
North Dakota $30.46/hr $63,350
New Mexico $30.44/hr $63,310
Pennsylvania $30.44/hr $63,320
Nebraska $30.35/hr $63,120
Alabama $30.15/hr $62,720
Ohio $30.04/hr $62,490
Connecticut $29.69/hr $61,760
Idaho $29.51/hr $61,370
Montana $29.4/hr $61,150
Iowa $29.26/hr $60,850
South Carolina $29.02/hr $60,370
Arkansas $28.82/hr $59,940
Kentucky $28.77/hr $59,850
Wyoming $28.56/hr $59,400
New Jersey $27.88/hr $57,980
Missouri $27.68/hr $57,570
Puerto Rico $27.49/hr $57,170
New York $27.08/hr $56,330
Guam $27.07/hr $56,300
Michigan $26.73/hr $55,600
Oklahoma $26.72/hr $55,570
West Virginia $26.17/hr $54,440
Oregon $26.17/hr $54,430
Nevada $25.57/hr $53,180
New Hampshire $25.48/hr $53,010
Louisiana $24.73/hr $51,440
Utah $21.2/hr $44,090


Category: Medical scientists, except epidemiologists

Total # Employed in the US 101,760
Average Hourly Wage: $40.75/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$19.87 $25.77 $35.86 $49.55 $66.75
Average Yearly Salary $84,760
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$41,320 $53,600 $74,590 $103,060 $138,840
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.2% 0.8% 0.7% 0.6% 12.6% 24.6% 60.6%
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Puerto Rico $58.1/hr $120,850
North Dakota $54.26/hr $112,870
Kansas $53.78/hr $111,870
Pennsylvania $50.31/hr $104,640
Utah $46.36/hr $96,420
Florida $46.05/hr $95,790
Mississippi $45.79/hr $95,240
Delaware $45.4/hr $94,430
West Virginia $45.16/hr $93,920
Massachusetts $44.93/hr $93,450
Tennessee $44.45/hr $92,450
Oklahoma $43.49/hr $90,460
Missouri $43.15/hr $89,750
Michigan $42.89/hr $89,200
Colorado $42.38/hr $88,140
District of Columbia $41.78/hr $86,900
Oregon $40.86/hr $85,000
Hawaii $39.99/hr $83,170
Connecticut $36.05/hr $74,980
Montana $35.26/hr $73,350
Louisiana $34.56/hr $71,890
Idaho $34.23/hr $71,190
Arkansas $34.15/hr $71,030
Maine $33.59/hr $69,870
New Hampshire $33.32/hr $69,300
South Carolina $32.99/hr $68,620
Virginia $32.68/hr $67,970
Nebraska $31.8/hr $66,140
Indiana $31.12/hr $64,730
Wyoming $30.95/hr $64,390
Guam $30.7/hr $63,860
Nevada $30.04/hr $62,470
Kentucky $29.16/hr $60,650
New Jersey $28.41/hr $59,080
New York $28.23/hr $58,730
California $27.68/hr $57,570
South Dakota $26.65/hr $55,430
Washington $26.64/hr $55,410
Ohio $26.49/hr $55,090
Wisconsin $26.47/hr $55,060
Iowa $26.29/hr $54,670
Alabama $25.83/hr $53,720
New Mexico $25.2/hr $52,420
Maryland $24.88/hr $51,740


Category: Life scientists, all other

Total # Employed in the US 12,320
Average Hourly Wage: $34.9/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$18.6 $23.16 $30.76 $43.34 $59.24
Average Yearly Salary $72,590
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$38,680 $48,180 $63,970 $90,160 $123,220
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.2% 0.8% 0.7% 0.6% 12.6% 24.6% 60.6%
Life scientists, all other — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Idaho $46.21/hr $96,110
Missouri $45.33/hr $94,290
New Hampshire $43.11/hr $89,670
Delaware $42.28/hr $87,940
Colorado $40.47/hr $84,180
Massachusetts $40.29/hr $83,810
Maine $39.18/hr $81,490
Arkansas $37.4/hr $77,790
Utah $36.63/hr $76,200
South Carolina $34.92/hr $72,630
Iowa $34.75/hr $72,270
Oregon $34.06/hr $70,850
North Dakota $33.78/hr $70,270
Hawaii $33.71/hr $70,130
Mississippi $33.01/hr $68,660
Oklahoma $31.94/hr $66,440
Nebraska $31.71/hr $65,950
Kansas $31.57/hr $65,660
Montana $31.24/hr $64,980
Tennessee $29.63/hr $61,640
Kentucky $27.85/hr $57,930
Wyoming $27.83/hr $57,880
Alaska $26.37/hr $54,850
California $26.22/hr $54,550
Michigan $26/hr $54,080
Maryland $24.87/hr $51,740
Wisconsin $24.64/hr $51,250
South Dakota $23.39/hr $48,650
Virginia $22.35/hr $46,480
Alabama $19.48/hr $40,520


Category: Astronomers

Total # Employed in the US 1,240
Average Hourly Wage: $49.4/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$21.93 $31.59 $50.35 $66.65 $73.66
Average Yearly Salary $102,740
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$45,610 $65,710 $104,720 $138,640 $153,210
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.0% 0.4% 4.5% 1.0% 18.5% 24.4% 51.2%
Astronomers — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Mississippi $61.79/hr $128,520
Missouri $60.85/hr $126,560
Colorado $56.84/hr $118,230
Wyoming $42.25/hr $87,870
Arkansas $38.97/hr $81,060


Category: Physicists

Total # Employed in the US 13,630
Average Hourly Wage: $53.49/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$27.02 $38.33 $51.15 $66.62 $79.69
Average Yearly Salary $111,250
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$56,210 $79,740 $106,390 $138,560 $165,750
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.0% 0.4% 4.5% 1.0% 18.5% 24.4% 51.2%
Physicists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Maryland $67.22/hr $139,810
Hawaii $65.57/hr $136,380
Kentucky $65.48/hr $136,200
Nebraska $62.9/hr $130,840
Kansas $60.59/hr $126,020
Oklahoma $59.8/hr $124,370
Florida $58.9/hr $122,500
Delaware $57.09/hr $118,750
North Carolina $56.61/hr $117,750
Wisconsin $56.35/hr $117,210
Mississippi $56.1/hr $116,680
Idaho $55.82/hr $116,100
Missouri $55.39/hr $115,210
Iowa $54.73/hr $113,840
Utah $53.96/hr $112,230
Connecticut $53.32/hr $110,900
Alabama $53/hr $110,240
Tennessee $51.53/hr $107,180
Colorado $51.12/hr $106,340
North Dakota $50.23/hr $104,470
South Carolina $49.97/hr $103,940
Michigan $48.73/hr $101,370
Indiana $48.41/hr $100,700
Montana $47.55/hr $98,910
Oregon $47.49/hr $98,770
Guam $45.62/hr $94,900
New Mexico $41.79/hr $86,920
Wyoming $40.82/hr $84,910
Nevada $40.38/hr $84,000
District of Columbia $38.41/hr $79,890
Arkansas $36.22/hr $75,340
Washington $27.75/hr $57,730


Category: Atmospheric and space scientists

Total # Employed in the US 8,320
Average Hourly Wage: $40.94/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$19.5 $28.21 $40.73 $50.25 $61.18
Average Yearly Salary $85,160
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$40,560 $58,680 $84,710 $104,520 $127,250
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.0% 0.0% 7.0% 5.2% 47.1% 25.3% 15.5%
Atmospheric and space scientists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Florida $54.84/hr $114,070
Mississippi $52.66/hr $109,530
North Dakota $51.47/hr $107,060
South Dakota $45.13/hr $93,870
Utah $45.12/hr $93,850
New Hampshire $43.76/hr $91,020
Maryland $43.34/hr $90,140
Connecticut $42.6/hr $88,610
Guam $41.52/hr $86,360
Massachusetts $41.48/hr $86,270
New Mexico $41.22/hr $85,730
Nebraska $41.18/hr $85,650
Colorado $41.08/hr $85,440
Idaho $40.8/hr $84,860
Hawaii $40.56/hr $84,350
Wisconsin $40.28/hr $83,790
Montana $40.15/hr $83,520
Oregon $39.91/hr $83,020
Michigan $39.9/hr $82,980
Washington $39.79/hr $82,760
New York $39.77/hr $82,720
Arkansas $39.48/hr $82,110
Wyoming $39.25/hr $81,640
Missouri $39.23/hr $81,600
Kansas $38.98/hr $81,080
New Jersey $38.71/hr $80,520
Kentucky $38.09/hr $79,240
Iowa $37.74/hr $78,500
Tennessee $37.51/hr $78,020
Oklahoma $37.11/hr $77,180
Ohio $35.46/hr $73,760
Maine $35.23/hr $73,270
Nevada $35.15/hr $73,110
Louisiana $34.14/hr $71,010
Alaska $33.12/hr $68,890
Delaware $32.02/hr $66,610
South Carolina $29.53/hr $61,420
North Carolina $27.89/hr $58,010
Pennsylvania $27.12/hr $56,400


Category: Chemists

Total # Employed in the US 79,910
Average Hourly Wage: $34.97/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$18.7 $24.01 $32.8 $44.1 $55.23
Average Yearly Salary $72,740
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$38,890 $49,940 $68,220 $91,720 $114,880
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.2% 0.7% 3.7% 3.3% 52.4% 20.7% 19.0%
Chemists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Florida $53.27/hr $110,810
Mississippi $46.61/hr $96,950
District of Columbia $42.48/hr $88,350
Ohio $41.78/hr $86,900
Missouri $40.26/hr $83,730
Colorado $38.51/hr $80,100
New York $38.03/hr $79,100
Connecticut $37.5/hr $78,010
North Dakota $36.8/hr $76,550
South Dakota $36.44/hr $75,800
Iowa $36.32/hr $75,540
Utah $35.56/hr $73,960
North Carolina $35.39/hr $73,600
Idaho $35.31/hr $73,450
Oklahoma $35.26/hr $73,330
Wyoming $34.71/hr $72,190
Nebraska $33.55/hr $69,780
Delaware $33.42/hr $69,520
Guam $32.65/hr $67,900
South Carolina $32.61/hr $67,830
Alabama $32.54/hr $67,670
Virginia $32.5/hr $67,590
Pennsylvania $32.48/hr $67,560
Massachusetts $32.33/hr $67,250
Arkansas $32.31/hr $67,200
Kansas $32.04/hr $66,630
Nevada $32.03/hr $66,630
Oregon $31.56/hr $65,640
Washington $30.97/hr $64,420
New Hampshire $30.89/hr $64,240
Wisconsin $30.84/hr $64,150
Alaska $30.81/hr $64,090
California $30.81/hr $64,080
Indiana $29.73/hr $61,830
Maine $29.02/hr $60,360
Hawaii $28.99/hr $60,300
Louisiana $28.94/hr $60,200
Kentucky $28.92/hr $60,150
Maryland $28.79/hr $59,880
Michigan $27.8/hr $57,810
Tennessee $27.72/hr $57,660
Montana $27.6/hr $57,410
Puerto Rico $27.02/hr $56,200
New Mexico $26.27/hr $54,650
New Jersey $23.76/hr $49,420
West Virginia $23.53/hr $48,950


Category: Materials scientists

Total # Employed in the US 8,880
Average Hourly Wage: $39.59/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$21.07 $28.76 $38.61 $49.44 $60.46
Average Yearly Salary $82,350
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$43,820 $59,810 $80,300 $102,840 $125,760
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.2% 0.7% 3.7% 3.3% 52.4% 20.7% 19.0%
Materials scientists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Delaware $57.68/hr $119,980
Missouri $48.19/hr $100,240
Colorado $45.38/hr $94,400
Mississippi $44.55/hr $92,670
Nebraska $44.09/hr $91,700
North Dakota $43.93/hr $91,370
Arkansas $43.51/hr $90,510
California $42.32/hr $88,020
Oklahoma $41.78/hr $86,910
Tennessee $41.24/hr $85,790
Kentucky $40.92/hr $85,110
Idaho $40.72/hr $84,700
District of Columbia $40.59/hr $84,430
Ohio $39.7/hr $82,570
Connecticut $39.41/hr $81,980
Wyoming $39.19/hr $81,510
Wisconsin $38.11/hr $79,260
Louisiana $38.04/hr $79,120
Montana $38.02/hr $79,090
Oregon $37.7/hr $78,410
Guam $37.65/hr $78,310
South Carolina $37.48/hr $77,950
Utah $37.15/hr $77,260
Maine $37.13/hr $77,230
New Hampshire $36.36/hr $75,620
Washington $34.97/hr $72,730
Hawaii $34.83/hr $72,450
Michigan $34.37/hr $71,490
Kansas $33.12/hr $68,900
Maryland $29.17/hr $60,670


Category: Environmental scientists and specialists, including health

Total # Employed in the US 83,530
Average Hourly Wage: $32.38/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$17.85 $22.12 $29.33 $39.18 $51.53
Average Yearly Salary $67,360
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$37,120 $46,000 $61,010 $81,500 $107,190
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.3% 0.8% 3.4% 3.3% 47.6% 34.9% 9.7%
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Florida $50.42/hr $104,880
Missouri $41.77/hr $86,880
Colorado $35.84/hr $74,550
Kansas $35.48/hr $73,800
Connecticut $35.46/hr $73,760
Wyoming $35.33/hr $73,490
Mississippi $35.29/hr $73,410
Oklahoma $34.3/hr $71,350
New York $33.97/hr $70,650
North Dakota $33.77/hr $70,230
Montana $33.26/hr $69,180
Alaska $32.72/hr $68,060
Delaware $32.71/hr $68,030
Utah $32.33/hr $67,260
Indiana $32/hr $66,550
Louisiana $31.65/hr $65,830
South Carolina $31.25/hr $64,990
Iowa $30.98/hr $64,450
Tennessee $30.8/hr $64,060
Pennsylvania $30.61/hr $63,670
Puerto Rico $29.75/hr $61,890
Guam $29.26/hr $60,870
Virginia $29.09/hr $60,510
District of Columbia $28.88/hr $60,070
North Carolina $28.2/hr $58,650
Ohio $27.93/hr $58,100
Nebraska $27.86/hr $57,950
Oregon $27.75/hr $57,730
Wisconsin $27.63/hr $57,470
Idaho $27.34/hr $56,870
Alabama $27.2/hr $56,580
Maine $27.11/hr $56,380
Hawaii $27/hr $56,160
New Jersey $26.85/hr $55,840
Massachusetts $26.81/hr $55,750
Arkansas $26.64/hr $55,400
Kentucky $26.25/hr $54,600
West Virginia $25.9/hr $53,880
Maryland $25.82/hr $53,710
Michigan $25.72/hr $53,510
Washington $25.37/hr $52,760
New Mexico $25.21/hr $52,440
New Hampshire $24.45/hr $50,860
California $24.33/hr $50,600
South Dakota $24.22/hr $50,370
Nevada $23.96/hr $49,850


Category: Hydrologists

Total # Employed in the US 7,150
Average Hourly Wage: $36.91/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$22.26 $27.13 $35.42 $44.67 $52.94
Average Yearly Salary $76,760
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$46,290 $56,430 $73,670 $92,910 $110,110
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.3% 0.8% 3.4% 3.3% 47.6% 34.9% 9.7%
Hydrologists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Wisconsin $46.76/hr $97,250
Connecticut $42.72/hr $88,860
Colorado $40.94/hr $85,160
New York $40.51/hr $84,260
Missouri $40.47/hr $84,170
Idaho $40.15/hr $83,520
North Carolina $39.88/hr $82,940
North Dakota $39.87/hr $82,940
Mississippi $38.94/hr $81,000
Massachusetts $38.55/hr $80,190
Utah $38.34/hr $79,740
Hawaii $38.17/hr $79,380
Ohio $38.07/hr $79,180
South Dakota $37.74/hr $78,500
Alaska $37.62/hr $78,240
Tennessee $37.57/hr $78,150
Kansas $37.15/hr $77,260
Guam $36.28/hr $75,470
New Hampshire $35.34/hr $73,500
Iowa $34.98/hr $72,760
Washington $34.85/hr $72,480
Michigan $34.74/hr $72,250
South Carolina $34.73/hr $72,240
Wyoming $34.33/hr $71,400
Oregon $33.52/hr $69,710
Delaware $32.17/hr $66,920
Kentucky $32.06/hr $66,690
Nebraska $32/hr $66,570
Montana $31.86/hr $66,260
Oklahoma $31.7/hr $65,930
Arkansas $30.8/hr $64,050
West Virginia $29.66/hr $61,690
New Jersey $29.37/hr $61,100
New Mexico $28.92/hr $60,160


Category: Sociologists

Total # Employed in the US 4,430
Average Hourly Wage: $36.63/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$20.15 $25.63 $33.47 $43.75 $59.33
Average Yearly Salary $76,190
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$41,910 $53,300 $69,620 $91,000 $123,410
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.2% 1.3% 7.3% 3.7% 37.8% 34.3% 15.4%
Sociologists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Florida $45.13/hr $93,870
Oklahoma $40.31/hr $83,850
Colorado $38.03/hr $79,100
Arkansas $36.92/hr $76,790
Missouri $33.04/hr $68,730
Hawaii $32.26/hr $67,100
Kansas $31.51/hr $65,530
Iowa $26.33/hr $54,760
Wyoming $25.82/hr $53,710
South Carolina $25.68/hr $53,410


Category: Political scientists

Total # Employed in the US 3,970
Average Hourly Wage: $48.58/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$22.37 $33.47 $50.04 $64.2 $72.77
Average Yearly Salary $101,050
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$46,520 $69,630 $104,090 $133,540 $151,360
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.2% 1.3% 7.3% 3.7% 37.8% 34.3% 15.4%
Political scientists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Florida $53.72/hr $111,730
Utah $40.18/hr $83,580
Colorado $33.31/hr $69,280
Connecticut $30.04/hr $62,470
Wyoming $28.32/hr $58,910
Kansas $26/hr $54,090
Wisconsin $23.57/hr $49,030


Category: Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

Total # Employed in the US 25,310
Average Hourly Wage: $45.62/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$23.22 $33.27 $45.17 $57.61 $69.19
Average Yearly Salary $94,880
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$48,300 $69,210 $93,950 $119,840 $143,910
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.2% 0.3% 0.6% 1.2% 23.8% 20.4% 53.6%


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