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Lab Biologist Salary in the United States

How much does a Lab Biologist make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lab Biologist in the United States is $57,387 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

However, a Lab Biologist's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $68,172
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,483 to $63,032
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,019
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Lab Biologist Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Lab Biologist Salaries

A Lab Biologist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Lab Biologist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lab Biologist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $54,537
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $54,917
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $56,602
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $58,798
  • Expert (over 8 years): $58,955
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Lab Biologist less than 1 year $54,537
Early Career Level Lab Biologist 1-2 years $54,917
Mid-Level Level Lab Biologist 2-4 years $56,602
Senior-Level Level Lab Biologist 5-8 years $58,798
Expert Level Lab Biologist over 8 years $58,955

How Do Lab Biologist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Lab Biologists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $63,538.
  • California: $63,297.
  • Massachusetts: $62,454.

Top Paying Cities for Lab Biologist

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $72,382
  • San Francisco: $71,589
  • Oakland: $70,080

Lab Biologist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lab Biologist roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Biotechnology, offers compensation 15% above the average. Conversely, Lab Biologist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Lab Biologist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Lab Biologist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $65,994 $32.0 15%

How Education impacts a Lab Biologist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Lab Biologist professionals enter the field with a high school degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Lab Biologist with a high school is between $51,625 and $55,094.

Lab Biologist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Lab Biologist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 55.6%
High School 55.6%
Associate's Degree 22.2%
Bachelor's Degree 11.1%
Master's Degree or MBA 11.1%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0%
View as Graph

Lab Biologist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lab Biologist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$52,483
Average $57,387/year
$63,032
$4,374
Average $4,782/month
$5,253
$1,009
Average $1,104/week
$1,212
$25
Average $28/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $63,032 $5,253 $1,212 $30
Average $57,387 $4,782 $1,104 $28
25th Percentile $52,483 $4,374 $1,009 $25

Most common benefits for Lab Biologist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Lab Biologist

Here are companies hiring for Lab Biologist and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Lab Biologist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lab Biologist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Ohio | Columbus, OH

    Radiology

    Ohio | Columbus, OH

    100% Remote - Ohio Neuro Teleradiology JobClinical Role. Do you know someone that might be a good fit for this position. Please ask about our generous refe... more

    10 Days Ago

  • C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Local CDL

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    18 Days Ago

  • OhioHealth | Columbus, OH

    Ultrasonographer

    OhioHealth | Columbus, OH

    We are more than a health system. We are a belief system. We believe wellness and sickness are both part of a lifelong partnership, and that everyone could... more

    21 Days Ago

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FAQ about Lab Biologist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Lab Biologist?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Lab Biologist roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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