SOURCE: The Scientist

 

The 2009 salary survey found that pay varies greatly depending on scientific specialization and field.

PHILADELPHIA, PA--(Marketwire - September 2, 2009) - The Scientist magazine released results today on the most current salary information in the life sciences. Over 4,700 professional life scientists in the United States reported their salaries, providing an insightful window on their job outlook based on gender, race, region and specialty.

The survey results found that despite the economic turmoil, the overall salary compensation of life scientists has increased 5 percent since 2008.

However, companies and institutions have taken various measures to cut costs. In industry, employers are reducing overall costs by cutting nonessential jobs, but are keeping highly skilled workers' salaries steady to retain top talent. "Mainly the salaries have been flat [or slightly higher] due to the fact that highly skilled talent is still in demand," says Rich Pennock of Kelly Scientific Resources.

Academic institutions, on the other hand, are cutting costs by either forcing employees to take unpaid time off or by filling cheaper non-tenured positions. Since this year's survey found that non tenure-track academics receive nearly $68,000 less than tenure-track professors, this strategy can equate to substantial savings for institutions.

The survey also found that researchers working in hot areas of science are seeing their salaries rise at rates above the cost of living. Biofuels research relies on biophysicists, a group that brought in the second highest salaries in the life sciences; immunologists are in demand for H1N1 vaccine development. Both specializations' salaries have spiked accordingly. Tenured endocrinologists are the highest earning specialty at $160,000, followed by tenured biophysics professors at $152,000 and immunologists at $144,000.

Commercialization and clinical trials specialists are also in high demand. Since 2005, salaries for life science professionals who work in patents, licensing and trademarks have increased 62.4% and those in clinical research 57.3%. Both salaries are approximately 30% higher than an average lab researcher's.

Other results to note are the difference in pay between East and West coast scientists and those who work in the middle of the country. The Washington, D.C. area had the highest median salary of $110,000 while Madison, Wisconsin had a mean of $63,000. Women's life science salaries also continue to lag a staggering 25% behind their male counterparts'.

Full results, further statistics and interactive charts can be found at www.the-scientist.com/salarysurvey and in the September print issue. The Scientist, voted B2B "Magazine of the Year" two years in a row by the American Society of Business Publishers, is available on select newsstands and online at www.the-scientist.com.

About The Scientist:

The Scientist, the magazine of the life sciences, has informed and entertained life science professionals around the world for over 22 years. We provide print and online coverage of the latest developments in the life sciences including trends in research, new technology, news, business and careers. We reach the leaders in academia and industry that are interested in maintaining a broad view of the life sciences by reading insightful articles that are current, concise and entertaining. For more information about The Scientist, visit www.the-scientist.com.

For more information regarding the 2009 Life Science Salary Survey, please contact Leslie Schultz via email at lschultz@the-scientist.com or phone at 215-351-1660 ext. 3001.