Chemist
Median wage · national
$91,240
Range: $69K – $126K
Employed
83K
Openings/yr
6K
Typically: bachelor's degree
HEALTH
Biochemist & Biophysicist
With a national median of $127,410 and +5.8% projected job growth through 2034, Biochemist & Biophysicist offers both strong financial return and stable long-term demand.
About Biochemist & Biophysicist
Study the chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena. May conduct research to further understanding of the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and heredity. May determine the effects of foods, drugs, serums, hormones, and other substances on tissues and vital processes of living organisms.
- Median Wage
- $127,410
- Employed Nationally
- 34K
- Openings / Year
- 2,900
- Entry Education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Also known as:
Analytical Research Chemist
Biochemist
Biochemistry Scientist
Biological Chemist
Biophysicist
How Much Do Biochemists & Biophysicists Make?
Biochemist & Biophysicist earn $127,410 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $95,000 and $163,460. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$127,410
National Median (Annual)
Well above average for college graduates.
$95K–$163K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$95,000
Entry-level
$127,410
Median
$163,460
Experienced
What Do Biochemists & Biophysicists Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Biochemist & Biophysicist roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.
- Teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.
- Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.
- Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.
- Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Science
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Writing
Active Learning
Who Thrives Here
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Where Do Biochemists & Biophysicists Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Biochemists & Biophysicists?
The BLS projects +5.8% employment change for Biochemist & Biophysicist through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 2,900 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +5.8%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
2,900
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
34K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Biochemist & Biophysicist professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $127,410 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 13,530 | $127,520 | +0.1% |
| 2 | California | 4,190 | $130,240 | +2.2% |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | 2,530 | $112,850 | -11.4% |
| 4 | New Jersey | 2,180 | $103,360 | -18.9% |
| 5 | New York | 1,660 | $95,410 | -25.1% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Biochemist & Biophysicist positions require a doctoral or professional degree to qualify. The 4 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Job Zone
Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pharmacy | 18,729 | $116,539 | 194 |
| 2 | Biochemistry & Biophysics | 14,354 | $65,466 | 763 |
| 3 | Physiology | 10,453 | $62,172 | 265 |
| 4 | Cell Biology | 6,274 | $66,697 | 196 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Biochemists & Biophysicists
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 2 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 3 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 4 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| 5 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 6 | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA | 92 | $14,251 | $80,735 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Biochemist & Biophysicist, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Biochemist & Biophysicist pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Biochemist & Biophysicist Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and growing demand make Biochemist & Biophysicist a compelling path. The 3 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
PROS
- Very high median salary The national median of $127,410 places this career well above average for college graduates, with significant upside at the 75th percentile.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +5.8% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $163,460 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
CONS
- High education requirement Most employers require a doctoral or professional degree, typically 6 to 10+ years of higher education before earning full wages. Factor tuition costs into your ROI calculation.
Biochemist & Biophysicist Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Biochemist & Biophysicist professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Biochemist & Biophysicist is $127,410, well into the top quartile of US wages. The middle 50% of earners fall between $95,000 and $163,460. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Biochemist & Biophysicist a good career?
Yes, for the right person, but the commitment is significant. The $127,410 median wage reflects years of training most workers invest, and the path to a first career-level role typically spans 8 to 12 or more years. Job growth of +5.8% through 2034 means demand is real. The harder question is whether the education investment at your specific program will pay off. School selection matters enormously at this preparation level.
How long does it take to become a Biochemist & Biophysicist?
Plan on 8 to 12 or more years of combined education and supervised training before qualifying for career-level roles. A doctoral or professional degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Pharmacy are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $127,410 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
Is a doctoral or professional degree worth it to become a Biochemist & Biophysicist?
Yes, for most programs. At $127,410 median, graduates at in-state public programs typically recoup their investment within 10 to 15 years of practice. School choice (specifically tuition cost and your expected local job market) matters as much as the credential itself.
What is the job outlook for Biochemist & Biophysicist?
The BLS projects +5.8% employment change for Biochemist & Biophysicist through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 2,900 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 34K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
Why do Biochemist & Biophysicist salaries vary so widely?
The $68,460 gap between the 25th ($95,000) and 75th ($163,460) percentile reflects how much employer type, industry, specialization, and geography affect pay. Entry-level roles and lower-demand markets cluster near the bottom; senior, specialized, or high-cost-metro positions push the top. In fields with this much spread, where you work and what you specialize in often matters more than years of experience.
What skills do Biochemist & Biophysicist professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Biochemist & Biophysicist roles: Science, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Writing, and Active Learning. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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