Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Biochemists and biophysicists (SOC 19-1021) employed 33,830 people in May 2025. The median pay is $127,410 a year ($61.26 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $74,290 and the highest-paid 10% more than $201,110. BLS projects its employment to change by +12.3% between 2025 and 2035 (about 2,900 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Doctoral or professional degree.
Highest median pay: Florida ($157,390), California ($139,580), Tennessee ($134,560). Most jobs: Massachusetts (14,890), California (3,240), Pennsylvania (2,750).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,290 | $35.72 |
| 25th percentile | $95,000 | $45.67 |
| Median | $127,410 | $61.26 |
| Mean | $129,840 | $62.42 |
| 75th percentile | $163,460 | $78.59 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $201,110 | $96.69 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 35,200 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 39,500 |
| Change in jobs | 4,300 |
| Percent change | +12.3% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 2,900 |
| Self-employed share | 2.7% |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 90 | 0.20 | $48,510 | $47,090 | $85,520 | -62% | 27% |
| California | 3,240 | 0.82 | $139,580 | $83,580 | $208,210 | +10% | 18% |
| Colorado | 960 | 1.53 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Connecticut | 540 | 1.47 | $132,670 | $97,200 | $170,700 | +4% | 14% |
| Delaware | 490 | 4.62 | $101,880 | $62,210 | $155,080 | -20% | 18% |
| District of Columbia | 70 | 0.43 | $120,090 | $62,080 | $182,100 | -6% | 19% |
| Florida | 370 | 0.17 | $157,390 | $63,950 | $279,970 | +24% | 14% |
| Georgia | 110 | 0.10 | $85,680 | $77,280 | $228,170 | -33% | 21% |
| Illinois | 150 | 0.11 | $87,010 | $60,060 | $173,140 | -32% | 18% |
| Iowa | 140 | 0.41 | $101,090 | $65,950 | $136,840 | -21% | 12% |
| Kansas | 140 | 0.44 | $97,850 | $63,550 | $153,340 | -23% | 13% |
| Kentucky | 40 | 0.09 | $74,710 | $57,020 | $199,580 | -41% | 16% |
| Maine | 390 | 2.80 | $84,560 | $66,570 | $132,830 | -34% | 17% |
| Maryland | 690 | 1.15 | $100,650 | $65,510 | $159,330 | -21% | 21% |
| Massachusetts | 14,890 | 18.81 | $131,600 | $79,560 | $208,130 | +3% | 17% |
| Michigan | 730 | 0.76 | $109,340 | $58,580 | $142,350 | -14% | 13% |
| Minnesota | 190 | 0.30 | $81,280 | $62,370 | $126,930 | -36% | 19% |
| Missouri | 290 | 0.45 | $79,550 | $64,760 | $132,420 | -38% | 16% |
| Nebraska | 70 | 0.31 | $66,910 | $51,470 | $89,240 | -47% | 20% |
| New Hampshire | 200 | 1.33 | $109,770 | $73,240 | $139,380 | -14% | 17% |
| New Jersey | 2,570 | 2.75 | $122,620 | $80,070 | $162,240 | -4% | 18% |
| New York | 980 | 0.46 | $101,080 | $66,140 | $165,710 | -21% | 19% |
| North Carolina | 570 | 0.53 | $82,220 | $62,850 | $160,940 | -35% | 20% |
| Ohio | 350 | 0.29 | $90,000 | $58,580 | $138,490 | -29% | 15% |
| Oklahoma | 70 | 0.18 | $69,130 | $51,750 | $101,100 | -46% | 18% |
| Pennsylvania | 2,750 | 2.08 | $134,090 | $82,890 | $172,820 | +5% | 11% |
| South Carolina | 60 | 0.13 | $109,080 | $70,270 | $149,130 | -14% | 14% |
| Tennessee | 60 | 0.08 | $134,560 | $82,140 | $229,640 | +6% | 11% |
| Texas | 520 | 0.17 | $97,510 | $61,820 | $222,850 | -23% | 18% |
| Utah | 160 | 0.44 | $81,990 | $49,870 | $157,320 | -36% | 23% |
| Vermont | 40 | 0.63 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Virginia | 70 | 0.08 | $105,780 | $74,640 | $221,880 | -17% | 19% |
| Washington | 270 | 0.34 | $98,840 | $64,010 | $128,040 | -22% | 22% |
| Wisconsin | 170 | 0.26 | $106,480 | $85,730 | $146,380 | -16% | 13% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 1,380 | $165,050 | $104,380 | $223,740 | 2.67 |
| Boulder, CO | 390 | $140,710 | $84,210 | $219,170 | 9.34 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 3,050 | $134,090 | $82,890 | $172,820 | 4.84 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 580 | $131,700 | $80,690 | $191,480 | 0.43 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 13,370 | $131,550 | $79,360 | $208,710 | 22.73 |
| Worcester, MA | 1,060 | $125,420 | $84,980 | $193,070 | 13.90 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 520 | $124,300 | $68,440 | $155,000 | 9.92 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 710 | $121,740 | $73,590 | $199,060 | 2.13 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 2,200 | $109,620 | $82,610 | $162,370 | 1.06 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 490 | $103,660 | $65,510 | $167,550 | 0.72 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 380 | $84,490 | $66,570 | $132,830 | 6.03 |
The median is $127,410 a year ($61.26 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $74,290 and the highest-paid tenth over $201,110 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
33,830 in May 2025, and BLS projects +12.3% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Doctoral or professional degree (BLS).
Florida, with a median of $157,390 (among states with published figures).