How much does a life scientist make in Boston?
$115,200a year
Median yearly pay for life scientists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area. That is $55.40 an hour or $9,603 a month.
- Hourly
- $55.40
- Vs. national median
- +23%
- Rank among cities
- 5 of 29
- Jobs in the area
- 100
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $81,470Median: $115,200Highest 10%: $183,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $81,470 | $39.17 | |
| 25th | $91,920 | $44.19 | |
| Median | $115,200 | $55.40 | |
| 75th | $157,500 | $75.72 | |
| 90th | $183,400 | $88.15 |
Other cities in Massachusetts
Median yearly pay for life scientists.
| Providence, RI | $64,320 |
Related jobs in Boston
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physical Scientist | $137,100 |
| Political Scientist | $133,900 |
| Materials Scientist | $132,600 |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist | $131,600 |
| Medical Scientist | $129,500 |
| Chemist | $127,300 |
| Microbiologist | $122,400 |
| Historian | $121,700 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $121,300 |
| Anthropologist and Archeologist | $117,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a life scientist make an hour in Boston?
The median hourly pay in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $55.40 ($115,200 a year).
Do life scientists make more in Boston than the national average?
Yes: $115,200 against $93,750 nationally, 23% more.
How does Boston compare with the rest of Massachusetts?
The median in Massachusetts is $125,300, so Boston pays 8% less.
Where does Boston rank for life scientist pay?
5 of 29 metro areas with data.
How much does a life scientist make starting out in Boston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $81,470 or less a year; the top 10% make $183,400 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.