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.
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.)
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.
(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 Occupational Employment and Earnings by Industry (NAICS sector and 3-digit industry group)
| Biochemists and biophysicists | |||||
| Percentile earnings distribution | |||||
| 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th | |
| Manufacturing employment: 5,720 mean earnings: $80,170 (EC) (def) (IG) | $49,070 | $59,330 | $75,450 | $93,630 | $118,690 |
| Food Manufacturing employment: 40 mean earnings: $58,190 | $31,400 | $41,320 | $59,150 | $72,480 | $88,060 |
| Chemical Manufacturing employment: 4,930 mean earnings: $82,250 | $50,320 | $61,750 | $77,370 | $95,800 | $120,580 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing employment: 700 mean earnings: $66,190 | $45,990 | $51,030 | $60,290 | $79,930 | $93,530 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing employment: 50 mean earnings: $87,470 | $49,450 | $55,770 | $80,000 | $120,960 | $139,010 |
| Wholesale Trade employment: 350 mean earnings: $64,130 (EC) (def) (IG) | $32,190 | $41,030 | $62,830 | $80,400 | $101,950 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods employment: n.a. mean earnings: $47,470 | $29,910 | $32,660 | $39,780 | $60,400 | $70,560 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 8,740 mean earnings: $76,770 (EC) (def) (IG) | $40,720 | $52,480 | $73,320 | $91,220 | $116,310 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 8,740 mean earnings: $76,770 | $40,720 | $52,480 | $73,320 | $91,220 | $116,310 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 150 mean earnings: $79,720 (EC) (def) (IG) | $50,940 | $63,180 | $77,540 | $89,880 | $107,450 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 150 mean earnings: $79,720 | $50,940 | $63,180 | $77,540 | $89,880 | $107,450 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 180 mean earnings: $69,130 (EC) (def) (IG) | $39,760 | $47,260 | $59,590 | $83,790 | $109,210 |
| Administrative and Support Services employment: 170 mean earnings: $69,390 | $39,640 | $47,020 | $59,840 | $84,050 | $110,400 |
| Educational Services employment: 1,140 mean earnings: $48,290 (EC) (def) (IG) | $30,050 | $36,230 | $42,020 | $53,470 | $74,650 |
| Educational Services employment: 1,140 mean earnings: $48,290 | $30,050 | $36,230 | $42,020 | $53,470 | $74,650 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance employment: 640 mean earnings: $75,220 (EC) (def) (IG) | $40,230 | $48,460 | $63,480 | $85,640 | $135,880 |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services employment: 170 mean earnings: $76,450 | $41,350 | $50,480 | $64,580 | $85,130 | $135,160 |
| Hospitals employment: 470 mean earnings: $74,350 | $39,960 | $47,650 | $62,830 | $85,480 | $134,680 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 730 mean earnings: $67,200 (def) (IG) | $32,320 | $43,720 | $61,510 | $85,880 | $109,850 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 730 mean earnings: $67,200 | $32,320 | $43,720 | $61,510 | $85,880 | $109,850 |
source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates
The (EC) links lead to data from the Economic Census from the Census Bureau.
The (def) links lead to 2002 NAICS industry definitions from the Census Bureau.
The (IG) links lead to Industry at a Glance industry profiles from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.