Life Lab Salary

As of July 2026, the average annual salary for employees at Life Lab in the United States is $95,291. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $46. Salaries at Life Lab typically range from $83,324 to $109,038 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does Life Lab Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at Life Lab. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the Co-Executive Director, with an annual salary of $207,522. The table below outlines the annual salary ranges for most popular roles within the company.
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Current Job Openings at Life Lab

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at Life Lab. Use the search tool below to find available positions by title and location and apply directly to start your career.

Is Life Lab’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Life Lab's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
Oakmont of Redding LLC $85,977
-9.8%
Reflects market rates for standard general contracting, differing from specialized roles.
Bikalpa Inc $101,303
+6.3%
Supported by Bikalpa Inc's high-margin contracts allowing higher overhead.
Edu 20 $105,512
+10.7%
Influenced by prevailing union wage agreements specific to Edu 20's sector.
Multicultural Community Centre $93,867
-1.5%
Suggests Multicultural Community Centre utilizes a highly similar base-plus-benefits compensation model.
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit Industry $115,341
+21.0%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

Employee Reviews: Working at Life Lab

Considering a career at Life Lab? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
Good intentions, but administrative speed varies. The organization's commitment to educational equity makes coming to work meaningful every single day. This organization excels at fostering an inclusive, supportive work environment with transparent leadership. The compensation structure recognizes experience and advanced degrees fairly. Effective leadership training.
Training is thorough, and professional development is supported. While coworkers are kind and helpful, departmental silos can create confusion. The staff is welcoming, and leadership is transparent about goals. There’s rarely any unexpected overtime, and policies are designed to protect employee time. Meaningful projects improve community services and education outcomes. I’ve been supported in my ...
Reduced burnout with practical initiatives. Employees appreciate the company’s supportive leadership and open communication. Flexible work arrangements and wellness programs help maintain a healthy work-life balance. The pace take time it’s consistent and stable.

Life Lab Overview

Website
www.lifelab.org
Founded In
1979
Employees
<25 employees
Industry
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
Headquarter Address
1156 High St Santa Cruz California CA 95064
Revenue
<$5 Million
Phone Number
+1 8314592001
Social Media
About Life Lab
Life Lab is a dynamic and growing nonprofit organization located on the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) Farm. Life Lab cultivates children's love of learning, healthy food, and nature through garden-based programs . Founded in 1979, Life Lab is a pioneer and national leader in garden-based learning, providing programs, training, and curriculum to inspire children and educators locally

What Benefits Does Life Lab Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Life Lab offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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How Much Should You Be Earning?

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What Is the Cost of Living Near Santa Cruz?

Understanding the cost of living near Santa Cruz is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Life Lab.
Santa Cruz's Cost of Living Index is approximately 196.8 (96.8% more expensive than US average; 40.8% more than CA average). Coastal university town, extremely high housing costs due to desirability, location, and limited development. When planning your budget based on a salary from Life Lab, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $2,700 - $4,200+ A significant portion of Life Lab salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $180 - $290 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $65 (METRO monthly pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $500 - $750 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $500 - $950+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $430 - $800+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $4,375 - $7,005+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Life Lab

1. What is the typical salary range (low to high) for most roles at Life Lab?

The typical annual salary range for most roles at Life Lab is approximately from $83,324 to $109,038. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.

2. How much does Life Lab pay compared to Oakmont of Redding LLC?

The average annual salary at Life Lab is $95,291, or an hourly wage of $46, in comparison to Oakmont of Redding LLC which pays $85,977 per year or $41 per hour.

3. Do salaries differ significantly between departments at Life Lab?

Yes, salaries often differ between departments at Life Lab due to varying market demand for specific skill sets and the nature of the roles. For example, technical roles in Engineering or IT may command different salary ranges compared to roles in Marketing or Human Resources.

4. How does experience level affect salary at Life Lab?

Experience level is a significant factor in determining salary at Life Lab, as it is with most employers. Generally, employees with more years of relevant experience and a proven track record can command higher salaries. For example, a senior-level role will typically have a higher pay band than an entry-level or mid-career position within the same job family.

5. How can I determine if a salary offer from Life Lab in Santa Cruz is fair given the local cost of living?

To determine if a salary offer from Life Lab in Santa Cruz is fair, first compare the gross salary to our data for similar roles at Life Lab and its competitors (see our similar company salaries section) . Then, critically, use our "Cost of Living Insights for Santa Cruz" to understand its purchasing power.

6. Why might an individual's actual salary at Life Lab differ from the ranges shown here?

An individual's actual salary at Life Lab can differ from our estimated ranges due to various factors. These include their specific years of experience in the role, unique skills or certifications, educational background, performance record, the specific team or department they join, negotiation outcomes, and even the precise timing of when they were hired relative to market fluctuations. Our ranges represent typical compensation.