Life Scientist salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A life scientist earns a median of $93,750 a year ($45.07 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $107,860. About 7,460 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $93,750
- Gross pay
- $3,605.77
- Federal income tax
- −$453.65
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$223.56
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$52.28
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $2,876.27
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $93,750
- Federal
- $11,795
- FICA
- $7,172
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $74,783
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Similar jobs
- School Psychologist: $95,990
- Chemist: $91,240
- Hydrologist: $96,600
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist: $90,150
- Urban and Regional Planner: $89,320
- Food Scientist and Technologist: $88,720
- Biological Scientist: $98,920
- Atmospheric and Space Scientist: $99,070
BLS occupation: Life Scientists, All Other. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 19-1099). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a life scientist make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $45.07; the average is $51.86.
What is the salary range for a life scientist?
The bottom 10% earn under $58,670 and the top 10% earn over $186,260 a year.
How much is $93,750 after taxes?
About $74,783 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $69,091 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.