Demographic and Salary Trends of the 2020 Biosafety Workforce

Appl Biosaf. 2021 Sep 1;26(3):164-174. doi: 10.1089/apb.20.0066. Epub 2021 Sep 13.

Abstract

Introduction: This study attempts to understand the demographics and salaries of the biosafety workforce worldwide. It builds upon previous surveys of biosafety professionals. Methods: Using multiple regression, this study explored what factors significantly predict salary. Moreover, this study examined whether significant differences existed regarding salary. These differences were analyzed in isolation (i.e., the variable itself) and while controlling for the variables that predicted salary. Results: In this article, eight factors significantly predicted salary: right-to-work state first, biosafety certifications, place of employment, data entry responsibilities, percentage of biosafety job responsibilities, number of direct reports, level of education, and finally the cumulative years of experience in the field. Discussion: This study highlighted certain trends that have remained consistent and new trends that have emerged over time. This research had increased international participation as compared with previous studies.

Keywords: biosafety professionals; demographic trends; national and international participants; quantitative analyses; salary trends.