How much does a biochemist and biophysicist make?
The median biochemist and biophysicist in the United States earns $127,410 per year, about $61.26 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all biochemists and biophysicists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-1021.
Biochemist and biophysicist salary range
Pay for biochemists and biophysicists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $74,290 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $201,110. The average (mean) wage of $129,840 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $74,290 | $35.71 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $95,000 | $45.67 | |
| Median (50th) | $127,410 | $61.26 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $163,460 | $78.59 | |
| 90th percentile | $201,110 | $96.69 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for biochemists and biophysicists (SOC 19-1021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Biochemist and biophysicist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Biochemists and biophysicists earn the most in Florida at $157,390 a year, and the least in Alabama at $48,510. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | $157,390 | 370 |
| California | $139,580 | 3,240 |
| Tennessee | $134,560 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $134,090 | 2,750 |
| Connecticut | $132,670 | 540 |
| Massachusetts | $131,600 | 14,890 |
| New Jersey | $122,620 | 2,570 |
| District of Columbia | $120,090 | 70 |
| New Hampshire | $109,770 | 200 |
| Michigan | $109,340 | 730 |
| South Carolina | $109,080 | 60 |
| Wisconsin | $106,480 | 170 |
| Virginia | $105,780 | 70 |
| Delaware | $101,880 | 490 |
| Iowa | $101,090 | 140 |
| New York | $101,080 | 980 |
| Maryland | $100,650 | 690 |
| Washington | $98,840 | 270 |
| Kansas | $97,850 | 140 |
| Texas | $97,510 | 520 |
| Ohio | $90,000 | 350 |
| Illinois | $87,010 | 150 |
| Georgia | $85,680 | 110 |
| Maine | $84,560 | 390 |
| Arkansas | $82,390 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $82,220 | 570 |
| Utah | $81,990 | 160 |
| Minnesota | $81,280 | 190 |
| Missouri | $79,550 | 290 |
| Rhode Island | $76,710 | N/A |
| Kentucky | $74,710 | 40 |
| Nevada | $69,220 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $69,130 | 70 |
| Nebraska | $66,910 | 70 |
| Alabama | $48,510 | 90 |
State median wages for biochemists and biophysicists (SOC 19-1021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for biochemists and biophysicists
The BLS projects employment of biochemists and biophysicists to grow 12.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 35,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 39,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,900 openings a year for biochemists and biophysicists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a biochemist and biophysicist
The typical entry-level education for biochemists and biophysicists is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a biochemist and biophysicist earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Florida, $157,390) and the lowest (Alabama, $48,510) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 33,830 people work as biochemists and biophysicists in the United States. At $127,410 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Biochemist and biophysicist salary FAQ
How much does a biochemist and biophysicist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a biochemist and biophysicist is $61.26. The middle half of biochemists and biophysicists earn between $45.67 and $78.59 per hour.
What is the highest biochemist and biophysicist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of biochemists and biophysicists earn more than $201,110 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a biochemist and biophysicist make a year?
The median annual salary for a biochemist and biophysicist is $127,410. The average (mean) wage of $129,840 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a biochemist and biophysicist a well paid job?
At $127,410 a year, a biochemist and biophysicist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 33,830 people work as biochemists and biophysicists in the United States.
Which state pays biochemists and biophysicists the most?
Florida has the highest median salary for biochemists and biophysicists at $157,390 a year. California ($139,580) and Tennessee ($134,560) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a biochemist and biophysicist a good career?
Employment of biochemists and biophysicists is projected to grow 12.3% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a biochemist and biophysicist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for biochemists and biophysicists as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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