Biochemists and Biophysicists Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for biochemists and biophysicists in the United States was $127,410 ($61.26 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $74,290 | $35.71 |
| 25th | $95,000 | $45.67 |
| Median | $127,410 | $61.26 |
| 75th | $163,460 | $78.59 |
| 90th | $201,110 | $96.69 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 19-1021
- Total U.S. employment: 33,830
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
Reading the data
Across the United States, 33,830 biochemists and biophysicists are employed (— per 1,000 jobs), making this a mid-sized occupations in the national economy.
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $74,290, median pay is $127,410, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $201,110.
Biochemists and Biophysicists Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $48,510 | $23.32 | -61.9% | 90 |
| Arkansas | $82,390 | $39.61 | -35.3% | 0 |
| California | $139,580 | $67.11 | +9.6% | 3,240 |
| Colorado | — | — | — | 960 |
| Connecticut | $132,670 | $63.78 | +4.1% | 540 |
| Delaware | $101,880 | $48.98 | -20.0% | 490 |
| District of Columbia | $120,090 | $57.74 | -5.7% | 70 |
| Florida | $157,390 | $75.67 | +23.5% | 370 |
| Georgia | $85,680 | $41.19 | -32.8% | 110 |
| Illinois | $87,010 | $41.83 | -31.7% | 150 |
| Iowa | $101,090 | $48.60 | -20.7% | 140 |
| Kansas | $97,850 | $47.04 | -23.2% | 140 |
| Kentucky | $74,710 | $35.92 | -41.4% | 40 |
| Maine | $84,560 | $40.66 | -33.6% | 390 |
| Maryland | $100,650 | $48.39 | -21.0% | 690 |
| Massachusetts | $131,600 | $63.27 | +3.3% | 14,890 |
| Michigan | $109,340 | $52.57 | -14.2% | 730 |
| Minnesota | $81,280 | $39.08 | -36.2% | 190 |
| Missouri | $79,550 | $38.25 | -37.6% | 290 |
| Nebraska | $66,910 | $32.17 | -47.5% | 70 |
| Nevada | $69,220 | $33.28 | -45.7% | 0 |
| New Hampshire | $109,770 | $52.78 | -13.8% | 200 |
| New Jersey | $122,620 | $58.95 | -3.8% | 2,570 |
| New York | $101,080 | $48.60 | -20.7% | 980 |
| North Carolina | $82,220 | $39.53 | -35.5% | 570 |
| Ohio | $90,000 | $43.27 | -29.4% | 350 |
| Oklahoma | $69,130 | $33.24 | -45.7% | 70 |
| Pennsylvania | $134,090 | $64.47 | +5.2% | 2,750 |
| Rhode Island | $76,710 | $36.88 | -39.8% | 0 |
| South Carolina | $109,080 | $52.44 | -14.4% | 60 |
| Tennessee | $134,560 | $64.69 | +5.6% | 60 |
| Texas | $97,510 | $46.88 | -23.5% | 520 |
| Utah | $81,990 | $39.42 | -35.6% | 160 |
| Vermont | — | — | — | 40 |
| Virginia | $105,780 | $50.86 | -17.0% | 70 |
| Washington | $98,840 | $47.52 | -22.4% | 270 |
| Wisconsin | $106,480 | $51.19 | -16.4% | 170 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for biochemists and biophysicists?
The median annual wage for biochemists and biophysicists is $127,410 ($61.26 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays biochemists and biophysicists the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many biochemists and biophysicists are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 33,830 biochemists and biophysicists employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do biochemists and biophysicists make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $61.26. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.