Biochemists and biophysicists

May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers

Biochemists and Biophysicists: Study the chemical composition and 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 annual earnings of biochemists and biophysicists were $68,950 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $49,430 and $88,540. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,710, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $110,660. Median annual earnings of microbiologists were $54,840 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $41,000 and $74,260. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,630, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $101,720. Median annual earnings of zoologists and wildlife biologists were $50,330 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $39,150 and $63,800. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,450, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $81,200. Median annual earnings of biochemists and biophysicists employed in scientific research and development services were $73,900 in May 2004.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, beginning salary offers in July 2005 averaged $31,258 a year for bachelor's degree recipients in biological and life sciences.

In the Federal Government in 2005, general biological scientists in nonsupervisory, supervisory, and managerial positions earned an average salary of $69,908; microbiologists, $80,798; ecologists, $72,021; physiologists, $93,208; geneticists, $85,170; zoologists, $101,601; and botanists, $62,207.

Biological scientists held about 77,000 jobs in 2004. Slightly more than half of all biological scientists were employed by Federal, State, and local governments. Federal biological scientists worked mainly for the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Interior, and Defense and for the National Institutes of Health. Most of the rest worked in scientific research and testing laboratories, the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing industry, or hospitals.

In addition, many biological scientists held biology faculty positions in colleges and universities. (See the statement on teachers—postsecondary elsewhere in the Handbook.)

(from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Biological Scientists)

See more recent statistics for employed workers below.

May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers

National, State, and Metropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Earnings

Alabama Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut District of Columbia Florida Georgia Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Minnesota Missouri Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Washington Wisconsin Puerto Rico
State maximums: employment earnings: mean 10th 25th 50th 75th 90th
Metro maximums: employment earnings: mean 10th 25th 50th 75th

Biochemists and biophysicists
	Percentile annual earnings, $
	10th	25th	50th	75th	90th
National
U.S. employment: 17,690 mean earnings: $75,320	39,950	51,850	71,000	90,400	115,980
State and Metro Area
Alabama (ACS) (EAG) employment: n.a. mean earnings: $79,550	48,230	56,890	75,760	102,660	119,160
Arkansas (ACS) (EAG) employment: 60 mean earnings: $77,370	42,860	51,090	68,020	87,210	113,150
California (ACS) (EAG) employment: 3,390 mean earnings: $76,380	41,760	51,890	71,170	88,750	115,340
Los Angeles - Long Beach - Glendale, CA Metropolitan Division employment: n.a. mean earnings: $50,830	37,630	39,980	43,900	55,060	78,750
Oakland - Fremont - Hayward, CA Metropolitan Division employment: 470 mean earnings: $74,700	47,450	54,760	71,150	89,850	112,790
Sacramento - - Arden - Arcade - - Roseville, CA employment: 40 mean earnings: $71,250	47,230	59,520	68,400	82,540	106,650
San Diego - Carlsbad - San Marcos, CA employment: 640 mean earnings: $71,510	41,230	54,840	72,940	87,440	102,220
San Francisco - San Mateo - Redwood City, CA Metropolitan Division employment: 720 mean earnings: $85,060	52,460	64,980	81,000	96,700	122,060
San Jose - Sunnyvale - Santa Clara, CA employment: 160 mean earnings: $78,090	47,110	56,920	78,610	92,490	115,180
Colorado (ACS) (EAG) employment: n.a. mean earnings: $75,700	32,120	46,430	76,890	86,960	105,570
Boulder, CO employment: n.a. mean earnings: $80,320	66,760	74,260	80,970	87,690	95,340
Denver - Aurora, CO employment: n.a. mean earnings: $63,910	30,020	32,910	45,170	82,430	97,470
Fort Collins - Loveland, CO employment: n.a. mean earnings: $62,360	39,060	47,230	60,650	76,880	88,090
Connecticut (ACS) (EAG) employment: 830 mean earnings: $92,290	57,800	73,770	83,910	99,630	>145K
Bridgeport - Stamford - Norwalk, CT employment: 50 mean earnings: $70,750	41,110	51,530	68,800	86,420	108,540
District of Columbia (ACS) (EAG) employment: 140 mean earnings: $56,560	38,210	42,160	52,730	67,600	84,010
Washington - Arlington - Alexandria, DC - VA - MD - WV Metropolitan Division employment: 260 mean earnings: $63,460	38,950	44,420	59,570	78,200	98,460
Florida (ACS) (EAG) employment: 160 mean earnings: $68,510	40,790	54,000	66,820	81,870	102,580
Gainesville, FL employment: n.a. mean earnings: $72,220	37,370	60,830	69,990	91,620	108,810
Georgia (ACS) (EAG) employment: 70 mean earnings: $90,400	52,150	78,190	99,490	110,390	117,050
Atlanta - Sandy Springs - Marietta, GA employment: 60 mean earnings: $95,310	64,400	87,510	102,560	111,680	117,280
Idaho (ACS) (EAG) employment: 40 mean earnings: $80,120	51,400	65,710	80,550	91,100	103,930
Illinois (ACS) (EAG) employment: n.a. mean earnings: $72,060	57,680	61,170	66,480	71,850	111,210
Chicago - Naperville - Joliet, IL Metropolitan Division employment: n.a. mean earnings: $72,150	60,710	63,540	68,270	73,120	102,310
Indiana (ACS) (EAG) employment: 660 mean earnings: $104,870	70,210	89,410	105,710	119,300	142,210
Indianapolis - Carmel, IN employment: n.a. mean earnings: $106,210	75,530	91,860	106,440	119,500	142,540
Iowa (ACS) (EAG) employment: 40 mean earnings: $80,900	43,020	57,120	71,360	103,100	137,780
Ames, IA employment: 30 mean earnings: $83,260	39,190	54,220	69,940	122,110	145,170
Kansas (ACS) (EAG) employment: 40 mean earnings: $61,170	34,100	39,810	48,860	70,400	123,200
Kentucky (ACS) (EAG) employment: 50 mean earnings: n.a.	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.
Louisiana (ACS) (EAG) employment: 170 mean earnings: $42,910	29,100	31,670	36,330	49,080	57,160
New Orleans - Metairie - Kenner, LA employment: 40 mean earnings: $41,750	28,150	30,360	33,710	42,980	75,270
Maine (ACS) (EAG) employment: 60 mean earnings: $62,590	33,370	47,810	60,680	74,670	92,220
Portland - South Portland - Biddeford, ME employment: 40 mean earnings: $70,590	46,680	55,130	67,810	84,400	105,500
Maryland (ACS) (EAG) employment: 420 mean earnings: $65,890	26,800	34,080	57,290	85,970	114,140
Bethesda - Gaithersburg - Frederick, MD Metropolitan Division employment: 300 mean earnings: $63,050	25,590	30,490	54,690	83,220	113,370
Massachusetts (ACS) (EAG) employment: 1,520 mean earnings: $91,840	52,010	67,920	85,910	108,470	140,370
Boston - Cambridge - Quincy, MA NECTA Division employment: 750 mean earnings: $88,100	51,100	66,680	85,120	105,070	128,200
Framingham, MA NECTA Division employment: 410 mean earnings: $103,960	67,590	78,650	91,170	117,070	>145K
Worcester, MA - CT Occupational Outlook Handbookemployment: 180 mean earnings: $85,610	43,840	60,310	77,850	103,940	136,620
Minnesota (ACS) (EAG) employment: 260 mean earnings: $56,030	31,390	38,390	52,460	70,270	88,650
Minneapolis - St. Paul - Bloomington, MN - WI employment: 250 mean earnings: $56,230	31,590	38,990	52,590	70,030	88,910
Missouri (ACS) (EAG) employment: n.a. mean earnings: $68,320	26,070	52,240	67,620	94,630	108,670
Kansas City, MO - KS Occupational Outlook Handbookemployment: n.a. mean earnings: $60,770	31,330	36,390	46,300	71,740	126,850
Nebraska (ACS) (EAG) Occupational Outlook Handbookemployment: 150 mean earnings: $58,420	32,580	40,250	53,160	68,530	89,980
Lincoln, NE employment: 100 mean earnings: $55,110	32,500	39,340	51,100	65,180	76,830
Omaha - Council Bluffs, NE - IA employment: n.a. mean earnings: $57,920	30,960	38,290	52,850	69,710	99,750
New Hampshire (ACS) (EAG) employment: n.a. mean earnings: $76,900	49,080	52,260	57,540	94,140	138,210
Portsmouth, NH - ME employment: n.a. mean earnings: $52,070	31,520	36,550	51,000	59,820	83,810
New Jersey (ACS) (EAG) employment: 1,140 mean earnings: $83,520	49,560	62,380	79,800	94,670	120,960
Camden, NJ Metropolitan Division employment: n.a. mean earnings: $90,030	39,130	44,150	94,040	115,450	>145K
Edison, NJ Metropolitan Division employment: 510 mean earnings: $85,450	51,200	62,450	81,450	96,000	126,550
Newark - Union, NJ - PA Metropolitan Division employment: 280 mean earnings: $77,790	46,740	60,730	76,710	90,490	107,380
Trenton - Ewing, NJ employment: n.a. mean earnings: $86,900	59,720	76,030	85,960	100,370	116,030
New York (ACS) (EAG) employment: 1,560 mean earnings: $75,270	41,210	49,840	66,990	91,830	120,670
Albany - Schenectady - Troy, NY employment: n.a. mean earnings: $72,680	39,180	51,430	68,220	93,930	110,030
Buffalo - Niagara Falls, NY employment: 300 mean earnings: $73,660	39,980	45,510	67,930	91,850	118,270
New York - White Plains - Wayne, NY - NJ Metropolitan Division employment: 970 mean earnings: $72,030	42,600	51,370	66,880	87,960	112,060
Rochester, NY employment: n.a. mean earnings: $77,850	43,370	52,370	65,840	87,710	138,160
North Carolina (ACS) (EAG) employment: n.a. mean earnings: $70,270	45,520	52,570	66,420	84,960	102,360
Durham, NC employment: n.a. mean earnings: $72,170	43,700	52,540	69,430	87,460	105,270
Raleigh - Cary, NC employment: n.a. mean earnings: $68,790	46,700	53,000	65,420	82,540	99,750
North Dakota (ACS) (EAG) employment: 40 mean earnings: $92,390	63,870	71,720	85,760	105,780	126,990
Ohio (ACS) (EAG) employment: 220 mean earnings: $49,750	28,850	35,060	47,130	59,960	76,200
Cincinnati - Middletown, OH - KY - IN employment: 40 mean earnings: $48,830	37,420	41,290	48,110	56,320	63,930
Cleveland - Elyria - Mentor, OH employment: 50 mean earnings: $64,310	45,150	50,620	60,030	72,800	92,100
Oklahoma (ACS) (EAG) employment: 100 mean earnings: $50,460	28,580	38,350	45,860	58,330	82,290
Oklahoma City, OK employment: 90 mean earnings: $48,280	29,320	38,460	45,110	55,830	75,920
Pennsylvania (ACS) (EAG) employment: 1,000 mean earnings: $72,290	42,280	54,490	73,210	87,900	103,470
Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division employment: 530 mean earnings: $77,130	47,610	56,840	76,830	91,490	111,050
Pittsburgh, PA employment: 250 mean earnings: $73,810	49,220	58,990	75,160	87,010	94,740
Scranton - - Wilkes - Barre, PA employment: n.a. mean earnings: $60,860	26,350	32,590	68,520	83,830	90,790
State College, PA employment: n.a. mean earnings: $60,520	47,370	59,380	63,790	68,200	70,850
Rhode Island (ACS) (EAG) employment: 90 mean earnings: $71,380	40,950	51,450	67,410	87,670	110,770
Providence - Fall River - Warwick, RI - MA Occupational Outlook Handbookemployment: n.a. mean earnings: $71,380	40,950	51,450	67,410	87,670	110,770
South Dakota (ACS) (EAG) employment: n.a. mean earnings: $55,160	26,560	33,570	59,140	72,890	85,550
Tennessee (ACS) (EAG) employment: 160 mean earnings: $60,120	32,730	38,430	47,110	71,250	124,800
Memphis, TN - MS - AR employment: n.a. mean earnings: $93,310	35,320	53,230	116,480	131,030	139,770
Nashville - Davidson - - Murfreesboro, TN employment: 40 mean earnings: $57,040	28,970	33,490	44,480	77,630	97,150
Texas (ACS) (EAG) employment: 840 mean earnings: $72,060	50,300	58,130	69,030	82,370	100,250
Austin - Round Rock, TX employment: n.a. mean earnings: $71,300	50,910	58,620	68,820	81,050	95,740
San Antonio, TX employment: n.a. mean earnings: $78,750	50,500	57,350	78,300	100,910	113,740
Utah (ACS) (EAG) employment: 130 mean earnings: $55,600	34,330	40,060	47,170	69,660	86,730
Logan, UT - ID employment: n.a. mean earnings: $64,890	32,640	36,420	73,350	83,790	90,140
Salt Lake City, UT employment: 90 mean earnings: $49,420	36,060	40,320	45,260	54,530	69,380
Virginia (ACS) (EAG) employment: 140 mean earnings: $66,250	40,250	49,080	62,790	77,190	102,050
Richmond, VA employment: 30 mean earnings: $67,020	47,500	55,970	65,560	73,970	93,530
Washington (ACS) (EAG) employment: 340 mean earnings: $54,720	27,250	35,930	50,000	66,500	89,580
Wisconsin (ACS) (EAG) employment: 430 mean earnings: $50,300	35,830	38,380	42,570	56,280	92,800
Madison, WI employment: 380 mean earnings: $50,030	36,000	38,290	42,100	51,980	95,750
Milwaukee - Waukesha - West Allis, WI Occupational Outlook Handbookemployment: n.a. mean earnings: $62,640	51,600	57,770	64,320	69,990	73,540
Puerto Rico (ACS) (EAG) employment: 110 mean earnings: $48,530	20,640	23,460	34,070	64,460	94,530
San Juan - Caguas - Guaynabo, PR Occupational Outlook Handbookemployment: 110 mean earnings: n.a.	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.

source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates

The highlighted text indicates the maximum values in each column among the states and metropolitan areas.

The (ACS) links lead to data from the American Community Survey from the Census Bureau.

The (EAG) links lead to U.S. Economy at a Glance data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.