Lab Scientist / Researcher.
Jackson.
$57,000
median salary, 19% below the national average
$42,000 to $75,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Lab Scientist / Researcher salary in Jackson is $57,000, 19% below the national average. Entry level starts near $42,000. Experienced professionals push past $75,000. Jackson is Mississippi's capital and largest city, with an economy driven by government, healthcare, and energy. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $51,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$37,000
to $46,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$48,000
to $60,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$63,000
to $74,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$71,000
to $88,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $17,000 to the total package.
Base
$57,000
Equity
$10,000
Bonus
$6,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $74,000
How Jackson compares
Jackson, MS
$57,000
Cost of living: 21% below average
National Average
$70,000
Jackson is $13,000 below
Lab Scientist / Researcher salary by city
Salary by role in Jackson
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Lab Scientist / Researcher offer in Jackson, understand the terrain. Jackson is Mississippi's capital and largest city, with an economy driven by government, healthcare, and energy. The University of Mississippi Medical Center is a major employer. Jackson offers some of the lowest living costs in the country, making even moderate salaries deliver substantial purchasing power. Degree level and industry setting are the primary drivers. PhD researchers in pharma or biotech earn 30 to 50% more than bachelor's-level lab technicians. GLP/GMP compliance experience, instrument specialization, and grant-writing ability in academic settings influence compensation. Contract versus permanent status also creates significant pay differences.
Research associates start at $52,000 to $62,000 with a bachelor's degree. Senior scientists earn $70,000 to $92,000 after four to six years. Lab directors and principal investigators reach $95,000 to $135,000, with department heads at pharma companies exceeding $150,000. In Jackson, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 21% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Pharma and biotech companies offer 5 to 12% bonuses and stock purchase plans. Academic researchers receive tuition benefits, sabbatical leave, and conference funding. Contract lab roles pay higher hourly rates but lack benefits and job security. And on the tax side: mississippi's top income tax rate is 5%. Jackson has no city income tax. The very low cost of living means take home pay goes further here than almost any other metro. When someone quotes you $57,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Benchmark against regional healthcare and government pay scales. Jackson employers offer competitive benefits packages to compensate for lower base salaries. The range for Lab Scientist / Researchers in Jackson runs from $42,000 to $75,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Accountant in Jackson earns $58,000 (2% more)
- The highest-paying role in Jackson is Chief AI Officer at $245,000
Common questions.
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Other salaries in Jackson
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