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Occupation · SOC 19-1099

Life Scientists, All Other

There are 7,460 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $93,750 a year. The most jobs are in Durham–Chapel Hill, NC.

ScienceTypical education: Bachelor's degree
7,460
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$93,750
Median pay a year
Middle half: $68,990–$131,910
400
Annual openings
10-year change: +6.3%
46
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 25 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Durham–Chapel Hill, NCMedian pay $105,850 · LCA filings 2460$105,8502
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $126,120 · LCA filings 1340$126,1201
New Orleans–Metairie, LAMedian pay $60,200 · LCA filings 0270$60,2000
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $61,440 · LCA filings 0230$61,4400
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $104,740 · LCA filings 2230$104,7402
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $100,600 · LCA filings 10220$100,60010
Richmond, VAMedian pay $70,050 · LCA filings 0210$70,0500
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDMedian pay $105,900 · LCA filings 0170$105,9000
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $134,810 · LCA filings 4170$134,8104
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAMedian pay $80,120 · LCA filings 0160$80,1200

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 170 · LCA filings 4$134,8101704
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployment 340 · LCA filings 1$126,1203401
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$125,430600
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZEmployment 70 · LCA filings 1$124,260701
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployment 100 · LCA filings 3$115,2301003

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 6 · Employment 220106220
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 17044170
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 10033100
Pittsburgh, PAEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 803180
Durham–Chapel Hill, NCEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 46021460

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Durham–Chapel Hill, NCLevel II $95,347 · Level III $119,080 · Level IV $142,834$71,594$95,347$119,080$142,834
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $116,501 · Level III $138,861 · Level IV $161,242$94,120$116,501$138,861$161,242
New Orleans–Metairie, LALevel II $66,789 · Level III $78,250 · Level IV $89,710$55,328$66,789$78,250$89,710
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $53,560 · Level III $68,723 · Level IV $83,907$38,376$53,560$68,723$83,907
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $99,715 · Level III $126,131 · Level IV $152,526$73,320$99,715$126,131$152,526
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $92,477 · Level III $110,822 · Level IV $129,189$74,110$92,477$110,822$129,189
Richmond, VALevel II $69,222 · Level III $78,125 · Level IV $87,006$60,341$69,222$78,125$87,006
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDLevel II $99,195 · Level III $116,272 · Level IV $133,349$82,118$99,195$116,272$133,349
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $113,131 · Level III $139,693 · Level IV $166,275$86,549$113,131$139,693$166,275
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CALevel II $75,816 · Level III $92,872 · Level IV $109,928$58,760$75,816$92,872$109,928
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $103,397 · Level III $126,194 · Level IV $148,990$80,600$103,397$126,194$148,990
Pittsburgh, PALevel II $77,126 · Level III $86,923 · Level IV $96,720$67,330$77,126$86,923$96,720

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Biology, GeneralCIP 26.01STEM OPT · up to 36 months4,172STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, OtherCIP 26.99STEM OPT · up to 36 months451STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical SciencesCIP 26.04STEM OPT · up to 36 months619STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Life Scientists, All Other in every metro area

All 25 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Science

Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsLife, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All OtherMedical Scientists, except EpidemiologistsBiological TechniciansChemical TechniciansEnvironmental Scientists and Specialists, Including HealthChemistsEnvironmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology