Biochemistry & Biophysics graduates earn $65,466 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 12.6%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Medical Scientists is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Biochemistry & Biophysics as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Biology and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Biochemistry & Biophysics is a focused area of study within Biology. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $65,466 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 763 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 14,354 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$38,339
Median Earnings · 4yr
$65,466
Colleges Offering
763
Graduates / Year
14,354
Avg Net Price / yr
$17,326
How Much Do Biochemistry & Biophysics Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Biochemistry & Biophysics, a typical graduate earns $65,466, above the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $44,889 and $88,432, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $38,339 at one year out to $65,466 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$65,466
4-Year National Median
Above the national median for college graduates.
$65,097
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Biochemistry & Biophysics graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Specialization and credential level drive most of the gap. Advanced practice roles (nurse practitioners, CRNAs, physician assistants) anchor the top; entry-level clinical and support roles sit at the bottom.
$44,88925th pct.
$65,466Median
$88,43275th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $65,466 against an estimated $69,304 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 707 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 14,354 students who complete Biochemistry & Biophysics programs each year, the majority (84%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
84%
Bachelor's84%
Doctorate8%
Master's7%
What Can You Do With a Biochemistry & Biophysics Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Biochemistry & Biophysics graduates show up in 7 different occupations, and Natural Sciences Managers pay the most at $167,220/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
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.
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.
Doctoral or professional degree10,500 openings/yr172K employed nationally
WritingActive LearningScienceSpeakingJudgment and Decision Making
Day-to-day responsibilities
Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.
Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.
Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
Monitor and perform tests on water, food, and the environment to detect harmful microorganisms or to obtain information about sources of pollution, contamination, or infection.
Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.
Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.
Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
Top Colleges for Biochemistry & Biophysics
Not sure where to study Biochemistry & Biophysics? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Biochemistry & Biophysics graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Biology Programs
Biochemistry & Biophysics is not the only path through Biology: 14 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Biochemistry & Biophysics program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Biochemistry & Biophysics a solid option. The 4 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $65,466 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $38,339 at graduation to $65,466 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +12.6% over the next decade, with Medical Scientists among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 41,200 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMost roles in this field require state licensure or certification before you can practice. Budget time and costs for board exams alongside your degree.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
How much do Biochemistry & Biophysics graduates earn?
$65,466 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $44,889 and $88,432, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Biochemistry & Biophysics degree?
$38,339 in the first year out. That grows to $65,466 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Biochemistry & Biophysics degree?
Natural Sciences Managers are one path, and it pays a median of $167,220 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Biochemistry & Biophysics program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Biochemistry & Biophysics bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Biochemistry & Biophysics?
763 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Biochemistry & Biophysics degree worth it?
$65,466 median earnings four years out against $17,326 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Biochemistry & Biophysics and Biology?
Biochemistry & Biophysics is the narrower of the two: Biology covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Biochemistry & Biophysics-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Biochemistry & Biophysics graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Biochemistry & Biophysics graduates consistently look for clinical judgment, patient communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Licensure, certifications, and supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Biochemistry & Biophysics graduates?
Often, yes. Advanced degrees in this field (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy) typically come with significantly higher pay and a wider scope of practice, which is why most students in health fields eventually go back for one. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Biochemistry & Biophysics graduates?
Outlook is strong overall: related occupations average +8.4% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Medical Scientists are among the strongest-growth roles at +12.6%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
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