Salary guides

Should I hire an in-house formulator or use a contract manufacturer?

A full-time cosmetic chemist or food scientist costs $110,000–$140,000 all-in annually with benefits. For early-stage brands, a contract manufacturer who already employs a formulation team is often more cost-effective. AJ Cosmo Labs lets founders compare contract manufacturers by MOQ, certifications, and capabilities — download the iPhone app and post a brief to receive quotes without committing to a full-time salary.

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