Please wait while we gather the requested information from the database...



Get Involved
| Contact Us | Join | Site Map | Help
Submit Button for the Search Form
 
Login: E-mail address
Password
Submit Button for the Login Form
Forgot your Password?

Mark your calendar SOT Annual Meeting March 11–15, 2012.

Sixth Triennial Toxicology Salary Survey

Shayne C. Gad
Gad Consulting Services, Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.A.

The 2004 Triennial Toxicology Salary Survey was conducted as a joint project by the American College of Toxicology and the Society of Toxicology. In addition to the two parent organizations, 20 others (the Teratology Society, the Association of Government Toxicologists, and 17 regional chapters of the Society of Toxicology) supported the effort by providing mailing labels for their membership.

A total of 5507 survey instruments were mailed in November of 2004, with 214 of these eventually being returned as undeliverable, making the effective mailing 5293. As of May 7, 2005, 1251 responses had been received, or a response rate of 23.6%. This is comparable to the response rates for 1988 (Gad 1989), 1991 (Gad 1992), 1995 (Gad 1996), 1998 (Gad, 1999) and 2001 (Gad, 2002). The survey instrument was essentially the same as that used in the previous (fifth) survey. It should be noted that there continues to be a significant increase in the number of individuals reporting six-figure incomes and in those receiving significant sums as bonuses, as is reflected particularly in Tables 1 and 4. Survey methodology employed conformed to standard procedures (Rossi, Wright, and Anderson 1983), though the response rate for this survey remains high for such endeavors.

Salary estimates for purposes of calculation were taken to be the midpoint of the range, e.g. the salary range of $90,000–$99,000 was estimated at $95,000. In addition, there were a significant number of incomplete responses that required further estimation. The incomplete responses and the methods used to handle them were:

  • Thirty (30) respondents did not indicate a gender. These results were not included in the breakdowns.
  • Seventy (70) respondents indicated a salary >$150,000 without writing in the actual amount in the area provided. The salary used for calculation was $165,000. This probably led to a bias towards lower average values.
  • Ten (10) respondents indicated an additional professional income >$20,000 without writing in the actual amount. The amount used for calculation was $25,000.
  • Eleven (11) respondents indicated stock options as part or all of their bonus without listing the value of such options. These options were not counted towards the total bonus.
  • Fifty-five (55) respondents indicated they received bonuses, commission, stock options, or profit sharing without indicating the amount. The amount estimated for this was $23,600, which was the mean value of the reported or estimable responses in this category.

A total of 1000 of the respondents (699 men; 286 women; 15 no response) were full-time employed holders of doctoral degrees in the U.S. and Canada. Table 1 presents the mean salaries (± one standard deviation) for these individuals, sorted by years of experience after receipt of their degrees, sex, and field of employment. Salaries are in thousands of U.S. dollars per year.

The mean salaries (± 1 SD) for the 106 master's level respondents are presented in Table 2. Likewise, the results from the 46 bachelor's level respondents are presented in Table 3. The remaining respondents were not employed full time during the reporting period and are characterized as follows:

Graduate students 10
Working part-time 21
Unemployed 6
Retired 15
Post-Doctoral 36
Other 10

It should be noted that the response levels for these additional categories are considerably lower than for the 2001 survey. For comparison, the 2001 numbers were:

Graduate students (not differentiated)
Working part-time 118
Unemployed 38
Retired 147
Post-Doctoral 74
Other (not differentiated)
There were no associates degree respondents.

Table 4 presents a summary of data on those 544 (54.4% of all employed) doctoral recipients who received bonuses in addition to salary. Table 5 presents a summary of the geographic distribution of the doctoral level survey respondents. Table 6 summarizes the major professional society memberships of the respondents. Many respondents belong to more than one society.

Table 7 summarizes, according to the National Research Council (NRC), the numbers of individuals who have received their doctorates in toxicology since 1983 (the first year that the degree was included in the NRC annual summary) (National Research Council 1998). Also included is a summary of the number of doctoral respondents by years post-degree.

Table 8 provides a summary analysis of the influence of geographic location of place of employment on salaries for doctoral level employees. Table 9 provides a summary of the influence of certification on doctoral and master's level salaries. Finally, Table 10 presents an overview of the number of individuals who are self-employed, independent consultants.

It has been proposed that this survey be conducted by email in the future. In the 2001 survey, respondents were asked if they had email access for such purposes. Of those employed full time that responded to the question, over 92% (1405) of those with doctoral degrees, 87% (130) of those with masters degrees, and 58% (73) of those with bachelors degrees reported having email access. However, as was widely noted, an email based system would not provide anonymity.

Discussions and Conclusions

The 2004 survey results point to a number of different trends that deserve attention and add some insights into the job market, career path, and the conduct of future studies. First, although the situation has clearly improved for most entry-level and early-career positions, women continue to be compensated at a lower level than their male counterparts. Secondly, salaries as a whole have increased in the field, but the most impressive differences are not by geographic location of place of employment, but rather by type of employer. Finally, certification continues to play a significant positive role in compensation.

TABLE 1
2004 Doctoral Level Salaries

Employer

Sex

Years experience post-terminal degree

0-1

1-3

3-5

5-10

10-20

20+

Contract Laboratory

M

---

75 ± 0 (2)

81 ± 12 (8)

95 ± 35 (10)

117 ± 24 (18)

141 ± 44 (37)

F

38 ± 39 (2)
78 ± 6 (3)
90 ± 17 (4)
75 ± 14 (4)
119 ± 33 (6)
121 ± 27 (8)
State or Local Government

M

---

---

---

85 ± 14 (2)

103 ± 50 (7)

90 ± 23 (20)

F
45 ± NC (1)
55 ± NC (1)
---
65 ± 14 (4)
78 ± 8 (6)
83 ± 19 (5)
Federal Goverment

M

---

---

78 ± 10 (7)

78 ± 13 (4)

90 ± 12 (21)

115 ± 18 (43)

F
55 ± NC (1)
68 ± 6 (3)
75 ± NC (1)
87 ± 10 (9)
98 ± 18 (13)
116 ± 18 (12)
Academic

M

45 ± NC (1)

55 ± NC (1)

25 ± NC (1)

70 ± 17 (14)

99 ± 37 (26)

125 ± 38 (94)

F
45 ± NC (1)
53 ± 15 (4)
58 ± 15 (3)
63 ± 19 (17)
79 ± 15 (19)
108 ± 28 (16)
Development or Sales

M

---

---

---

---

105 ± NC (1)

138 ± 46 (3)

F
---
---
---
---
---
105 ± NC (1)
Consulting (with a firm)

M

45 ± NC (1)

---

65 ± NC (1)

99 ± 23 (7)

157 ± 77 (9)

138 ± 67 (20)

F
75 ± NC (1)
105 ± NC (1)
88 ± 17 (4)
60 ± 7 (2)
95 ± 12 (5)
135 ± 42 (2)
Consulting (independant)

M

---

---

---

---

208 ± 60 (2)

156 ± 89 (30)

F
---
---
---
---
130 ± 45 (5)
137 ± 28 (5)
Pharmaceutical Industry

M

---

110 ± 35 (2)

98 ± 14 (15)

113 ± 17 (43)

145 ± 34 (72)

165 ± 38 (58)

F
108 ± 23 (3)
93 ± 8 (5)
86 ± 6 (8)
113 ± 17 (12)
142 ± 30 (33)
167 ± 38 (6)
Chemical Industry

M

75 ± NC (1)

85 ± 14 (2)

78 ± 6 (3)

91 ± 17 (9)

116 ± 28 (12)

127 ± 23 (26)

F
---
75 ± NC (1)
95 ± NC (1)
95 ± 9 (8)
108 ± 20 (7)
123 ± 15 (4)
Consumer Products

M

---

85 ± NC (1)

---

105 ± 15 (7)

137 ± 29 (14)

155 ± 31 (17)

F
---
85 ± NC (1)
85 ± NC (1)
110 ± 7 (2)
109 ± 13 (8)
90 ± 21 (2)
Others

M

65 ± NC (1)

---

---

105 ± 24 (4)

141 ± 40 (8)

152 ± 108 (13)

F
35 ± NC (1)
---
95 ± NC (1)
75 ± NC (1)
120 ± 17 (4)
136 ± 24 (8)
NC=Not Calculable
All numbers are Mean ± 1 Standard Deviation (# of respondants)

TABLE 2
2004
Master Level Salaries

Employer

Sex

Years experience post-terminal degree

0-1

1-3

3-5

5-10

10-20

20+

Contract Laboratory

M

---

75 ± NC (1)

---

---

105 ± NC (1)

88 ± 6 (3)

F
---
35 ± NC (1)
135 ± NC (1)
65 ± NC (1)
55 ± NC (1)
135 ± NC (1)
State or Local Government

M

---

25 ± NC (1)

---

---

---

---

F
---
---
---
35 ± NC (1)
---
---
Federal Government

M

---

---

---

---

80 ± 7 (2)

100 ± 7 (2)

F
---
---
---
65 ± NC (1)
105 ± NC (1)
105 ± NC (1)
Academic

M

---

---

---

10 ± NC (1)

---

---

F
---
35 ± NC (1)
45 ± NC (1)
---
---
---
Development or Sales

M

---

---

---

---

---

---

F
---
---
---
---
---
---
Consulting (with a firm)

M

---

---

65 ± 14 (2)

75 ± 26 (3)

135 ± 0 (2)

90 ± 7 (2)

F
---
---
65 ± NC (1)
105 ± NC (1)
78 ± 23 (3)
---
Consulting (independant)

M

---

---

---

---

---

85 ± NC (1)

F
---
---
---
---
98 ± 35 (3)
65 ± NC (1)
Pharmaceutical Industry

M

75 ± NC (1)

65 ± 14 (2)

115 ± NC (1)

105 ± 26 (3)

123 ± 36 (4)

129 ± 38 (5)

F
---
---
55 ± 0 (2)
88 ± 21 (3)
121 ± 19 (5)
110 ± 17 (4)
Chemical Industry

M

---

---

---

77 ± 25 (5)

85 ± NC (1)

118 ± 18 (7)

F
---
55 ± NC (1)
---
75 ± NC (1)
99 ± 34 (5)
105 ± NC (1)
Consumer Products

M

---

---

---

---

108 ± 25 (3)

120 ± 21 (2)

F
---
95 ± NC (1)
---
---
80 ± 7 (2)
105 ± NC (1)
Other

M

---

---

---

55 ± NC (1)

---

---

F
---
---
---
115 ± 35 (3)
55 ± 0 (2)
135 ± NC (1)
NC=Not Calculable
All numbers are Mean ± 1 Standard Deviation (# of respondants)

TABLE 3
2004 Bachelor Level Salaries

Employer

Sex

Years experience post-terminal degree

0-1

1-3

3-5

5-10

10-20

20+

Contract Laboratory

M

---

---
---
45 ± NC (1)

95 ± 57 (2)

79 ± 17 (5)
F
---
75 ± NC (1)
---
55 ± NC (1)
75 ± NC (1)
75 ± 0 (2)
State or Local Government

M

---

---

---
---
---
75 ± NC (1)
F
---
---
---
---
---
---
Federal Government

M

---

---

---
---
---
115 ± NC (1)
F
---
---
35 ± NC (1)
---
---
95 ± NC (1)
Academic

M

---

---

---
---
---
---
F
---
---
---
---
45 ± NC (1)
55 ± NC (1)
Development or Sales

M

---

---

---
---
---
75 ± NC (1)
F
---
---
---
---
---
---
Consulting (with a firm)

M

---

---

---
---
70 ± 49 (2)
135 ± NC (1)
F
---
---
---
---
---
---

Consulting (independant)

M

---
---
---
---
---
---
F
---
---
---
---
---
---
Pharmaceutical Industry

M

---
---
---
75± NC (1)
70 ± 7 (2)
95 ± 14 (5)
F
---
---
---
75± NC (1)
75± NC (1)
118 ± 60 (2)
Chemical Industry

M

---
---
---
---
---
123 ± 33 (3)
F
---
---
---
---
---
95 ± 14 (2)
Consumer Products

M

---
---
---
---
---
---
F
---
---
---
---
80 ± 7 (2)
---
Other
M
---
---
---
---
---
100 ± 7 (2)
F
---
---
---
---
---
---
NC=Not Calculable
All numbers are Mean ± 1 Standard Deviation (# of respondants)

TABLE 4
2004 Doctoral Level Bonuses

Employer

Years experience post-terminal degree

Sex

0-1
1-3
3-5
5-10
10-20
20+
Contract Laboratory
M
---
2 ± NC (1)
6± 3 (1)
14 ± 14 (6)
16± 16 (14)
14 ± 27 (20)
F
---
3± NC (1)
12 ± 9 (4)
24 ± NC (1)
21 ± 26 (1)
5± 4 (4)
State or Local Government

M

---

---

---

---

---
---
F
---
---
---
---
---
---
Federal Government

M

---

---

2 ± 1 (2)

2 ± NC (1)

2 ± 2 (7)

6 ± 8 (9)

F
---
1± NC (1)
---
1 ± 1 (3)
2± 2 (3)
2 ± 1 (6)
Academic

M

---

---

---

10 ± NC (1)

11 ± 18 (6)
21 ± 23 (14)
F
---
---
---
1 ± NC (1)
1 ± NC (1)
17 ± 10 (2)
Development or Sales

M

---

---

---

---

---
---
F
---
---
---
---
---
---
Consulting
(with a firm)

M

---

---

---

14 ± 11 (5)

29 ± 26 (7)

63 ± 109 (12)

F
---
10 ± NC (1)
8 ± 4 (3)
---
4± 3 (4)
12 ± 16 (2)
Consulting (independant)

M

---

---

---

---

24 ± NC (1)

74 ± 85 (4)

F
---
---
---
---
89 ± 72 (2)
---
Pharmaceutical Industry

M

---
22 ± 22 (2)

12 ± 11 (1)

16 ± 13 (42)

31 ± 19 (68)
48 ± 61 (53)
F
15± NC (1)
11 ± 8 (5)
11 ± 9 (8)
18± 10 (12)
27 ± 22 (30)
32 ± 26 (6)
Chemical Industry

M

24 ± NC (1)
5± 3 (2)

5± 1 (2)

7± 5 (9)

15 ± 10 (11)
21 ± 13 (20)
F
---
4 ± NC (1)
4 ± NC (1)
8 ± 8 (6)
16 ± 9 (6)
10 ± 5 (3)
Consumer Products

M

---
2 ± NC (1)

---

25 ± 26 (7)

31 ± 21 (12)
42 ± 30 (15)
F
---
10 ± NC (1)
4 ± NC (1)
13 ± 16 (2)
14 ± 15 (6)
15 ± NC (1)
Other

M

---
---

---

16 ± 10 (3)

25 ± 16 (6)
19 ± 16 (9)
F
---
---
24 ± NC (1)
---
10 ± 6 (3)
113 ± 264 (8)
NC=Not Calculable
All numbers are Mean ± 1 Standard Deviation (# of respondants)

TABLE 5
Geographic Distribution of Employed Doctoral Respondents

State:

Number of Respondents:

State:

Number of Respondents:

Alabama

5

New Hampshire

2

Alaska

5

New Jersey

76

Arkansas

4

New Mexico

9

Arizona

9

Nevada

3

California

106

New York

50

Colorado

10

North Carolina

98

Connecticut

23

North Dakota

1

District of Columbia

29

Ohio

51

Delaware

9

Oklahoma

3

Florida

11

Oregon

7

Georgia

13

Pennsylvania

45

Idaho

1

Puerto Rico

3

Illinois

28

Rhode Island

1

Indiana

24

South Carolina

2

Iowa

5

South Dakota

0

Kansas

8

Tennessee

9

Kentucky

5

Texas

43

Louisiana

6

Utah

1

Maine

2

Virginia

28

Maryland

59

Washington

22

Massachusetts

30

Wisconsin

14

Michigan

42

West Virginia

1

Minnesota

20

Wyoming

1

Missouri

5

Armed Forces Europe

1

Mississippi

7

Canada

0

Montana 2 Other France (1); Netherlands (2); UK (2)
Nebraska

2

Not reported or illegible 49

TABLE 6
Society Affiliations of Doctoral Respondents

Society:

Number Belonging:

SOT (Society of Toxicology)

1171

ACT (American College of Toxicology)

306

Teratology Society

81

SETAC (Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry)

80

SRA (Society for Risk Assessment)

57

ACS (American Chemical Society)

53

(EMS) Environmental Mutagen Society
43
AACR (American Association for Cancer Research)
41
ASPET (American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics)
40
ISSX (International Society for the Study of Xenobiotics)
40
STP (Society of Toxicologic Pathology)
30
AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science)
29
AIHA (American Industrian Hygiene Association)
20
ISRTP (International Society for Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology)
16
ABT (American Board of Toxicology)
14
SFN (Society for Neuroscience)
13
ACVP (American College of Veterinary Pathologists)
12
DIA (Drug Information Association)
11
AAPS (Association of American Physicians and Surgeons)
10
MASOT, AVMA, NBTS, SSR, ASBMB, ASM, ATS, MARTA, ASCP, FASEB, ISEA, RAPS, STC, AACT, AAI, AGT, APHA, SQA, AAR, AALAS, ACGIH, ASIP, NYAS, Sigma Xi, SOFT, SPS, AAA, AACC, AAVCT, APS, ASCB, ASCB, ASTM, Endocrine Society, Eurotox, GTA, SCHC, AAFS, AAI, ABFE, ABVT, ACOEM, AFS, ASAS, ASCO, ASNS, BTS, ESA, IACT, IFT, ISEE, ISOT, RSA, RTC, SER, SID, SLB, SOEH, AACAS, AACP, AADR, AAIH, AALAC, AAMI, AAP, AAPCC, AAPSE, AASLD, AAVA, AAVCT, AAVT, ABA, ABSA, ABUT, ACCP, ACGI, ACH, ACHMM, ACLAM, ACRP, ACTM, ACUP, ACUT, ADSA, AGGIA, AGGIH, AGU, AHAS, AIT, ALAS, AOAC, APA, ARVD, ARVO, ASA, ASAREA, ASBC, ASBMB, ASBMR, ASDM, ASFS, ASHG, ASLO, ASN, ASN, ASP, ASR, ASRM, ASSE, AST, ASTMH, ASTS, ASHG, ASLO, ASN, ASN, ASP, ASR, ASRM, ASRM, ASSE, AST, ASTMH, ASTS, ASVCP, ATA, AVPT, AYMA, Biochemical Society, BTA, BTS, CPDD, FST, GFTCH, HESI, HPS, IAQA, IBRO, ISAC, ISACB, ISEH, ISHE, ISIAQ, ISSC, JPET, MAFS, MANY, MATT, MSA, MTA, NAEM, NCAC-SOT, NEHA, Netherlands Society of Toxicology, NSH, PANWAT, PNIRS, RASCC, RTP, SCI, SDB, SEBM, SEGH, SFRBM, SGI, SoCRA, SON, SPE, SRNT, SSAR, SSPD, STRP, TIR, WDA, Wildlife Society
<10*

Bold Societies were specifically listed on the survey
*Remaining Societies are listed in descending number of members, then alphabetically

TABLE 7
Recipients of Doctoral Degrees (and Survey Respondents) in Toxicology by Year

Year

Graduates

Survey years post-degree/respondents

1981

20 + = 462

1982
1983

60

1984

97

1985

98

10-20 = 311
1986

104

1987

115

1988

111

1989

91

 

1990

86

1991

104

1992

99

1993

94

1994

87

 

1995

84

5-10 =168

1996

86

1997

82

 

1998

80

 

1999
80
2000
78
3-5 = 67
2001
?
2002
?
1-3 = 46
2003
?
2004
?
0-1 = 23

TABLE 8
Geographic Comparison: Doctoral Salaries

State

Sex

Years experience post-terminal degree

0-1

1-3

3-5

5-10

10-20

20 +

California (106)

M

---
75 ± NC (1)

135 ± NC (1)

120 ± 29 (11)
133 ± 48 (20)
122 ± 50 (27)

F

35 ± NC (1)
83 ± 21 (4)

95 ± 8 (8)

111 ± 32 (9)
114 ± 25 (14)
140 ± 39 (9)
North Carolina (98)

M

---
55 ± NC (1)

95 ± NC (1)

104 ± 14 (13)
131 ± 55 (17)
146 ± 77 (35)

F

---
75 ± NC (1)

85 ± 14 (2)

86 ± 13 (7)
102 ± 19 (16)
120 ± 18 (11)
New Jersey (76)

M

75 ± NC (1)
---

92 ± 6 (3)

115 ± 22 (13)
141 ± 53 (17)
147 ± 52 (25)

F

---
70 ± 21 (2)

100 ± 21 (2)

113 ± 17 (4)
125 ± 17 (13)
118 ± 15 (3)
Maryland (59)

M

65 ± NC (1)
65 ± NC (1)

100 ± 7 (2)

85 ± 17 (3)
105 ± 17 (11)
126 ± 24 (18)

F

95 ± NC (1)
60 ± 7 (2)

85 ± 17 (3)

95 ± 14 (4)
108 ± 21 (7)
136 ± 27 (4)
New York (50)

M

---
88 ± 6 (3)

90 ± 7 (2)

105 ± NC (1)
113 ± 26 (6)
141 ± 25 (22)

F

95 ± NC (1)
65 ± NC (1)

90 ± 7 (2)

95 ± NC (1)
117 ± 46 (8)
135 ± 0 (2)
NC=Not Calculable
All numbers are Mean ± 1 Standard Deviation (# of respondants)

TABLE 9
Board Certification and Doctoral Salaries

Certification Status

Sex

Years experience post-terminal degree

0-1

1-3

3-5

5-10

10-20

20 +

Certified

M

55 ± NC (1)
135 ± NC (1)

83 ± 22 (15)

107 ± 21 (56)
134 ± 38 (129)
140 ± 61 (241)

F

135 ± NC (1)
70 ± 7 (2)

92 ± 7 (15)

97 ± 23 (9)
120 ± 31 (65)
129 ± 31 (49)
North Carolina (98)

M

67 ± 37 (5)
85 ± 32 (15)

83 ± 18 (27)

100 ± 28 (54)
115 ± 45 (101)
128 ± 37 (137)

F

65 ± 22 (9)
70 ± 17 (25)

82 ± 24 (21)

85 ± 27 (37)
105 ± 36 (50)
110 ± 26 (21)
NC=Not Calculable
All numbers are Mean ± 1 Standard Deviation (# of respondants)

TABLE 10
Self-Employed, Independant Consultants

Sex

Years experience post-terminal degree

0–1

1–3

3–5

5–10

10–20

20 +

M

F

0
0

1

1
3
11
0
0

0

0
0
0

References

AAPS. 2005. Salary Survey AAPS Newsmagazine 8 (1): 22–26.
Gad S. C. 1989. First international salary survey for toxicologist. J. Am Coll. Toxicol. 8: 1053–1070.
Gad S. C. 1992. 1991 toxicology salary survey results. J. A. Coll. Toxicol. 11:369–378.
Gad S. C. 1996. Third triennial toxicology salary survey. J. Am Coll. Toxicol. 15: 83–89.
Gad S. C. 1999. Fourth triennial toxicology salary survey. Inter J. Toxicol 18: 219–224.
Gad S. C. 2002. Fifth triennial toxicology salary survey. Inter J. Toxicol 18: 219–224.
National Research Council. 1998. Doctorate recipients from United States universities: Summary report. Washington, DC : National Research Council.
Rossi P. H., J. D. Wright, and A. B. Anderson. 1983. Handbook of Survey Research. New York, NY: Academic Press.


SOT —Dedicated to Creating a Safer and Healthier World Through the Advancement of Science.

© 2012 Society of Toxicology. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy and Disclaimer | Contact Us