Scientists who leave the lab for marketing and management make more money, according to the annual income report from Science and Technology Australia and Professionals Australia.  Scientists in business based jobs earn an average $160 460 TPV for sales and marketing and $162 452 for management. The third highest paying category, teaching/training pays $141 000.  Average TPV for all scientists is $129 000.

The three fastest growing salaries are paid in veterinary science (up 4.7 per cent), agricultural science (up 3.5 per cent) and manufacturing (up 3.1 per cent). Average TPV for all scientists is $129 000.

But it’s always better for blokes, with women earning 87 per cent of male salaries.

Overall the pay increases keep scientists ahead of CPI and certainly outstrip private sector wages growth.