Survey: Female Toxicologists Earn Less

Survey: Female Toxicologists Earn Less Author: EDWARD R. SILVERMAN The average salary for most toxicologists has been rising, prompted by increased hiring, according to a recently released survey. Demand for toxicologists in 1991 was strongest at consulting firms, at contract laboratories (independent labs that conduct research for companies or government), and in industry, particularly at pharmaceutical and consumer products companies, accord- ing to Shayne Gad, who compiled the data for the Bethesda, Md.-based American College of Toxicology. The survey's most striking finding, Gad says, was the difference in average pay between men and women--which ranged from 12 percent to 32 percent, depending upon the amount of experience, the degree held, the geographic region, and the type of employer. Years ExperienceAll RespondentsChange from 1989MenChange from 1989WomenChange from 1989 0 to 1$37,820- 5.9%$41,800-0,6%$31,400+ 1.9% 1 to 3 43,800+15.9% 48,200 +17% 37,900+10.5% 3 to 5 54,300+13.6% 60,800+20.6%45,200+2.0% 5 to 10 56,800+ 7.3% 58,400+ 6.2% 52,200+15.2% 10 to 20 71,200+10.4%73,200+11.2% 62,600+ 6.1% 20+ 80,900+10.5% 82,500+ 9.7% 69,400+20.3% For instance, women with bachelor's degrees and three to five years' experience who worked at contract labs were paid an average salary of $24,700. By contrast, men with similar credentials working in contract labs earned an average of $40,000, the survey found. At pharmaceutical companies, women with three to five years' experience and doctoral degrees were paid an average salary of $55,900, which was 9.4 percent less than the average $61,700 salary earned by their male counterparts. "If you look at the percentage distribution of female representation and cross that with what salaries are like," says Gad, "you tend to have women in employment sectors that don't pay quite as well." A total of 4,233 toxicologists responded to the survey, the second of its kind commissioned by the American College of Toxicology. Questionnaires were sent to researchers in the United States and Canada who belong to the Teratology Society, the American Board of Toxicology, the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Analytical Chemistry, and the Association of Government Toxicologists, among other groups. The survey report contrasted average salaries paid in 1991 with comparable figures for 1989, the year of the first toxicology salary survey. Overall, the study found that pay has been climbing. In 1991, "the general trend, across the board, was to keep up with inflation," says Gad, director of medical affairs at Becton Dickinson Research Center in Research Triangle Park, N.C. "But there were more jobs than people to fill them." Government and academia lagged in hiring, however, because of budget constraints that, toxicology professionals say, made it difficult to compete with salary levels and recruiting efforts in industry and consulting firms. Commenting on another survey finding, Gad notes that a trend seems to be taking hold in which toxicologists with managerial experience are increasingly in demand and salaries for such people are rising. For example, toxicologists with one to three years' managerial experience, holding a doctoral degree, and supervising between seven and 15 people were paid an average salary of $49,100, a 28 percent rise from 1989. "There are a lot of softer issues that industry looks for-- maturity, polish, communication skills," says Denise DeMan, president of Bench International, a Los Angeles research toxicology search firm. "They [industry and contract laboratory employers] really need someone who is politically adept," she says, referring to scientists who are office diplomats. "That's a lot more than someone who's used to doing rat studies. It used to be lab- driven. Now, it's a different kind of person who's needed." Experts say that in general, demand has risen because of several factors, notably increased interest in the environment and consumer safety. In turn, this has generated jobs in consulting and industry, not just traditional spots in government or academia. "The field has broadened," says Robert Diener, senior adviser for safety assessment at Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceuticals in Summit, N.J., who points to toxic waste cleanup and experimental pharmaceuticals as two areas in which growth has occurred. "There are many more job opportunities now," he says. "And experienced people are still fairly hard to get." However, he cautions that the sluggish economy might still keep a lid on some hiring, especially among universities and government. "There's no question about demand," says Sidney Green, director of the Food & Drug Administration's division of toxicological research in Laurel, Md. "Data is more complex. More products must be cleared by the agency. "But it's not being translated into funds for hiring, because of monetary constraints. I've not seen any concerted effort to improve salaries for three to five years. So, government has had an extremely difficult time hiring [toxicologists]." But DeMan is heartened by the change in the White House, which she believes will result in a renewed emphasis on environmental concerns and, therefore, drive demand for toxicologists who are able to analyze data, identify problems, and find new solutions. "Over the next three years, you'll see relatively steady growth for well-trained, sophisticated toxicologists," she says. "Presumably, [the Clinton administration] will maximize existing staff [in federal agencies], but should also issue more contracts for review and assessment." Areas that are expected to show strong demand include companies or firms that test for safety in food, drugs, cosmetics, household cleaners, pesticides, landfills, and medical devices, toxicologists say. Edward R. Silverman is a freelance writer based in Hoboken, N.J.


Years Experience	All Respondents	Change from 1989	Men	Change from 1989	Women	Change from 1989
0 to 1	$37,820	- 5.9%	$41,800	-0,6%	$31,400	+ 1.9%
1 to 3	43,800	+15.9%	48,200...

Survey: Female Toxicologists Earn Less

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