How much does a life scientist make in Philadelphia?
$96,030a year
Median yearly pay for life scientists in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area. That is $46.17 an hour or $8,003 a month.
- Hourly
- $46.17
- Vs. national median
- +2%
- Rank among cities
- 14 of 29
- Jobs in the area
- 100
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $76,060Median: $96,030Highest 10%: $178,500
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $76,060 | $36.57 | |
| 25th | $76,060 | $36.57 | |
| Median | $96,030 | $46.17 | |
| 75th | $146,000 | $70.21 | |
| 90th | $178,500 | $85.82 |
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Median yearly pay for life scientists.
| Pittsburgh, PA | $81,540 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $73,670 |
Related jobs in Philadelphia
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physicist | $164,900 |
| Economist | $139,500 |
| Physical Scientist | $137,200 |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist | $134,100 |
| Materials Scientist | $127,500 |
| Psychologist | $120,000 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $112,700 |
| Biological Scientist | $106,700 |
| Medical Scientist | $103,000 |
| Microbiologist | $102,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a life scientist make an hour in Philadelphia?
The median hourly pay in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area is $46.17 ($96,030 a year).
Do life scientists make more in Philadelphia than the national average?
Yes: $96,030 against $93,750 nationally, 2% more.
How does Philadelphia compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $83,680, so Philadelphia pays 15% more.
Where does Philadelphia rank for life scientist pay?
14 of 29 metro areas with data.
How much does a life scientist make starting out in Philadelphia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $76,060 or less a year; the top 10% make $178,500 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.