How Much Does a Biochemistry Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$127,410
Biochemists in the U.S. earn a median of $127,410 a year, or $61.26 an hour. Half of biochemists earn more than $127,410 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $201,110.
Pay percentiles for biochemists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35.71 | $74,290 |
| 25th | $45.67 | $95,000 |
| 50th (median) | $61.26 | $127,410 |
| 75th | $78.59 | $163,460 |
| 90th | $96.69 | $201,110 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Biochemists and Biophysicists (SOC 19-1021). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for biochemists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $157,390 | $75.67 | +24% |
| California | $139,580 | $67.11 | +10% |
| Tennessee | $134,560 | $64.69 | +6% |
| Pennsylvania | $134,090 | $64.47 | +5% |
| Connecticut | $132,670 | $63.78 | +4% |
| Massachusetts | $131,600 | $63.27 | +3% |
| New Jersey | $122,620 | $58.95 | −4% |
| District of Columbia | $120,090 | $57.74 | −6% |
| New Hampshire | $109,770 | $52.78 | −14% |
| Michigan | $109,340 | $52.57 | −14% |
| United States | $127,410 | $61.26 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many biochemists are there?
BLS counts about 33,830 biochemists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Biochemists and Biophysicists”. The most jobs are in Massachusetts (14,890), California (3,240) and Pennsylvania (2,750).
The mean (average) annual wage is $129,840, higher than the median of $127,410.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $10,618
- Biweekly
- $4,900
- Weekly
- $2,450
- Daily (8 hours)
- $490
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do biochemists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for biochemists is $61.26. The middle 50% earn between $45.67 and $78.59 an hour.
Which state pays biochemists the most?
Florida has the highest median wage for biochemists at $157,390, +24% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for biochemists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of biochemists earn less than $74,290 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.