Biochemists and Biophysicists
SOC code 19-1021 · O*NET-SOC 19-1021.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Science and engineering
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Biochemists and Biophysicists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$127,410
a year
Hourly
$61.26
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$129,840
$62.43 per hour
Middle 50%
$95,000 – $163,460
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$74,290 – $201,110
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
33,830
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $74,290
- $35.71/hr
- 25th percentile
- $95,000
- $45.67/hr
- Median percentile
- $127,410
- $61.26/hr
- 75th percentile
- $163,460
- $78.59/hr
- 90th percentile
- $201,110
- $96.69/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+6%
Growing faster than average
35,600
jobs in 2024
37,600
projected for 2034
About 2,000 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do biochemists and biophysicists do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research.
- Design or perform experiments with equipment, such as lasers, accelerators, or mass spectrometers.
- Determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold post-doctoral training — 40% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Post-Doctoral Training40%
- Bachelor's Degree25%
- Doctoral Degree25%
- First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.10%
Common questions
How much does a biochemists and biophysicists earn?
The national median is $127,410 a year. The full range runs from $74,290 at the 10th percentile to $201,110 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a biochemists and biophysicists without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is biochemists and biophysicists in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 6% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Science4.8/5
- Reading Comprehension4.4/5
- Writing4.3/5
- Critical Thinking4.3/5
- Active Listening4.1/5
- Speaking4.1/5
- Active Learning4.1/5
- Learning Strategies4.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Biology4.7/5
- Chemistry4.3/5
- Mathematics4.3/5
- English Language4.3/5
- Physics4.0/5
- Education and Training3.7/5
- Computers and Electronics3.5/5
- Engineering and Technology3.4/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.