Does Lawrence Berkeley Lab pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Lawrence Berkeley Lab employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.6 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Lawrence Berkeley Lab. This rating has improved by 3% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Lawrence Berkeley Lab?

83% of Lawrence Berkeley Lab employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Lawrence Berkeley Lab 4.3 out of 5 for work life balance, 4.2 for culture and values and 3.7 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Lawrence Berkeley Lab?

Postdoctoral Fellow (133) , Postdoctoral Researcher (57) , Student Assistant (41) , Research Associate (36) , Research Assistant (34) , Research Scientist (33) , Intern (23) , Postdoctoral Scholar (22) , Project Scientist (21) , Graduate Research Assistant (14) , Scientific Engineering Associate (14) , Postdoctoral Research Associate (13) , Undergraduate Research Assistant (12) , Research Affiliate (11) , Research Intern (11)

What are the pros of working at Lawrence Berkeley Lab according to real employee reviews?

"Great people that make an effort to help" ((in 122 reviews)); "Good benefits and the lab is shut down the last week of the year." ((in 97 reviews)); "The people: My colleagues and my group are great people." ((in 34 reviews)); "Work life balance is good" ((in 26 reviews)); "Great location and nice coworkers." ((in 22 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Lawrence Berkeley Lab according to real employee reviews?

"salary is low for the cost of living in the Bay Area and in comparison to other national labs" ((in 91 reviews)); "Same as all grad student research positions… low pay" ((in 61 reviews)); "Limited parking spots are available on site." ((in 38 reviews)); "Poor management and often" ((in 21 reviews)); "Poor leadership and oversight" ((in 6 reviews))

What are employees saying about Lawrence Berkeley Lab layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Lawrence Berkeley Lab layoffs and their outlook for job security at Lawrence Berkeley Lab in 2026.

Lawrence Berkeley Lab reviews

4.2

83% would recommend to a friend

(1,077 total reviews)

Michael Witherell

87% approve of CEO

76% positive business outlook

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (1,077 reviews)

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Lawrence Berkeley Lab has an employee rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, based on 1,077 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an excellent working experience there. The Lawrence Berkeley Lab employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Management et conseil aux entreprises industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

1K reviews

5.0

Apr 5, 2015

Really great if you love research.

Sra

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The lab is very much like working in academia, but without classes. Really laid back, despite its prestige. Great opportunities for growth and skill development. You get out of it exactly what you put in. Helpful annual reviews and recognitions. Great benefits.

Cons

The union can limit pay rate. Projects are funded annually so you kinda have to find yourself a project every year, or you might not be fully covered--not a problem if you are a good employee. Lacks culture

4.0

Mar 30, 2015

Lawrence Berkeley Lab is an excellent place to work.

Postdoctoral fellow

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

As an academic environment, there are many different types of jobs and labs at LBNL, the quality of your experience will depend on who you are working with directly. Management and oversight is usually excellent. Worker safety is at the height of LBNL's interests,

Cons

Sometime bureaucracy gets in the way, but for the most part LBNL is run very well. Tedious purchasing and travel reimbursement systems have improved over the last few years.

5.0

Mar 29, 2015

Good view and good people and fun work.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Beautiful view. Smart coworkers. Fun times.

Cons

none. I can't honestly think of why I wouldn't want to work here

Viewing 904 - 906 of 1,077 Reviews

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Jobs at Lawrence Berkeley Lab

Custodian (Floor Crew)