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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Aquatic Scientist in Illinois is $99,349 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.
However, an Aquatic Scientist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Aquatic Scientist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $108,324 | $9,027 | $2,083 | $52 |
| Average | $99,349 | $8,279 | $1,911 | $48 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,523 | $7,377 | $1,702 | $43 |
Geisinger - DANVILLE, PA
Geisinger - WILKES-BARRE, PA
Geisinger - LEWISTOWN, PA
Intermountain Health - MURRAY, UT
An Aquatic Scientist'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Aquatic Scientist'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Employee ... Level Aquatic Scientist | $64,995 |
| Employee ... Level Aquatic Scientist | $83,838 |
| Aquatic S... Level Aquatic Scientist | $101,605 |
| Employee ... Level Aquatic Scientist | $115,838 |
| Employee ... Level Aquatic Scientist | $124,629 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Aquatic Scientists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Aquatic Scientist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Aquatic Scientist positions in Aerospace & Defense or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Aquatic Scientist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $109,284 | $53.0 | 10% |
Understanding how an Aquatic Scientist'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $108,324 | $9,027 | $2,083 | $52 |
| Average | $99,349 | $8,279 | $1,911 | $48 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,523 | $7,377 | $1,702 | $43 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Aquatic Scientist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
GE Vernova
NISKAYUNA, NY
GE Vernova | NISKAYUNA, NY
Job Description Summary As a Principal Scientist in the AI – Computer Vision - Robotics – Software lab in GE Vernova Advanced Research, you will have the o... more
2 Days Ago
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
LUIS LOPEZ, NM
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
NEWCOMB HALL, VA
National Radio Astronomy Observatory | NEWCOMB HALL, VA
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: ngVLA Assistant Scientist Location: NRAO Albuquerque Office, 800 Bradbury Dr SE Ste 235, ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexic... more
3 Days Ago
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
LUIS LOPEZ, NM
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
SOCORRO, NM
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY, VA
National Radio Astronomy Observatory | CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY, VA
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: ngVLA Assistant Scientist Location: NRAO Albuquerque Office, 800 Bradbury Dr SE Ste 235, ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexic... more
2 Days Ago
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