Laser Scientist Salary in the United States

How much does a Laser Scientist make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Laser Scientist in the United States is $73,564 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

However, a Laser Scientist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $86,339
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $65,692 to $80,251
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $58,525
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View as table View as graph 25% $65,692 10% $58,525 90% $86,339 75% $80,251 $73,564 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Laser Scientist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $80,251 $6,688 $1,543 $39
Average $73,564 $6,130 $1,415 $35
25th Percentile $65,692 $5,474 $1,263 $32
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Key Factors That Influence Laser Scientist Salaries

A Laser 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Laser Scientist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Laser 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $73,072
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $91,846
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $107,748
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $140,216
  • Expert (over 8 years): $156,529
Levels Salary
Laser Sci... Level Laser Scientist$73,072
Physicist... Level Laser Scientist$91,846
Physicist... Level Laser Scientist$107,748
Physicist... Level Laser Scientist$140,216
Physicist... Level Laser Scientist$156,529
$73,072 0 yr
$91,846 < 2 yrs
$107,748 2-4 yrs
$140,216 5-8 yrs
$156,529 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Laser Scientist 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 Laser Scientists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $81,450.
  • California: $81,141.
  • Massachusetts: $80,059.

Top Paying Cities for Laser Scientists

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: $92,786
  • San Francisco: $91,770
  • Oakland: $89,836

What Skills Can Increase a Laser Scientist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 10.25% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Calibration (Mentioned in 6.54% Job Postings): In measurement technology and metrology, calibration is the comparison of measurement values delivered by a device under test with those of a calibration standard of known accuracy. Such a standard could be another measurement device of known accuracy, a device generating the quantity to be measured such as a voltage, a sound tone, or a physical artefact, such as a metre ruler. The outcome of the comparison can result in one of the following: no significant error being noted on the device under test a significant error being noted but no adjustment made an adjustment made to correct the error to an acceptable levelStrictly speaking, the term "calibration" means just the act of comparison, and does not include any subsequent adjustment. The calibration standard is normally traceable to a national standard held by a national metrological body.
  • Technical Skills (Mentioned in 1.6% Job Postings): Technical skills are the specialized knowledge and expertise required to perform specific tasks and use specific tools and programs in real world situations.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 10.25%
Calibration 6.54%
Technical Skills 1.6%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Laser Scientist's salary.
  • Nuclear Medicine: Can increase your salary by up to 56%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 51%.
  • MRI: Can increase your salary by up to 50%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Nuclear Medicine
$114,760
56%
Consulting
$111,081
51%
MRI
$110,346
50%
Coordination
$87,541
19%
Planning
$85,334
16%
Insight
$82,391
12%
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Laser Scientist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Laser Scientist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 150% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Laser Scientist positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Laser Scientist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Laser Scientist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$117,702$57.060%
Pharmaceuticals$102,989$50.040%
Biotechnology$95,633$46.030%
Energy & Utilities$88,277$42.020%
Aerospace & Defense$80,920$39.010%

How Education impacts a Laser Scientist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Laser Scientists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Laser Scientist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $70,975 and $75,970).

Laser Scientist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Laser Scientist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 1.0%
Associates 19.0%
Bachelors 41.9%
Masters 19.0%
Doctorate 38.1%
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Laser Scientist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Laser 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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Laser Scientist

Salaries for a Laser Scientist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $54,497 in 2023 to around $54,264 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Laser Scientist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Laser Scientist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$54,497
2024
$54,469
2025
$54,264
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $54,497
2024 $54,469
2025 $54,264
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Laser Scientist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Laser Scientist

Here are companies hiring for Laser Scientist and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Laser Scientist Job

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

United States
  • Maxim Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Maxim Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Private duty nursing (PDN) allows medically fragile patients to receive quality, skilled nursing care in the comfort of their home: a setting preferred by ... more

    13 Days Ago

  • XPO

    Columbus, OH

    CDL

    XPO | Columbus, OH

    XPO is Hiring Driver Teams. XPO Teams. As an XPO Team, you’ll run dedicated routes between XPO facilities in. new sleeper. trucks equipped with microwaves ... more

    13 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

    14 Days Ago

  • Summit Recruiting Group

    Columbus, OH

    Summit Recruiting Group | Columbus, OH

    NP/PA Dermatology job opening in Columbus, OHPosition Details. Full-time, permanent opening. Experience required. Well-Established Practice. Seeking a NP/P... more

    15 Days Ago

  • Family Dollar

    Columbus, OH

    Family Dollar | Columbus, OH

    Customer Service Associate. We're seeking a Customer Service Associate to join our team and deliver a great shopping experience for every customer. Duties ... more

    16 Days Ago

  • GO Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

    16 Days Ago

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FAQ about Laser Scientist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Laser Scientist?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Laser Scientist roles, with salaries approximately 60% 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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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