How Much Does a Molecular Biologist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$98,920
Molecular biologists in the U.S. earn a median of $98,920 a year, or $47.56 an hour. Half of molecular biologists earn more than $98,920 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $168,010.
Pay percentiles for molecular biologists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29.05 | $60,430 |
| 25th | $36.92 | $76,800 |
| 50th (median) | $47.56 | $98,920 |
| 75th | $61.38 | $127,670 |
| 90th | $80.77 | $168,010 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Biological Scientists, All Other (SOC 19-1029). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for molecular biologists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $121,680 | $58.50 | +23% |
| California | $113,530 | $54.58 | +15% |
| Delaware | $113,400 | $54.52 | +15% |
| Connecticut | $111,940 | $53.82 | +13% |
| Washington | $108,110 | $51.97 | +9% |
| Massachusetts | $107,100 | $51.49 | +8% |
| Alaska | $106,870 | $51.38 | +8% |
| New Jersey | $104,750 | $50.36 | +6% |
| Maine | $104,570 | $50.28 | +6% |
| New York | $104,120 | $50.06 | +5% |
| United States | $98,920 | $47.56 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many molecular biologists are there?
BLS counts about 55,850 molecular biologists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Biological Scientists, All Other”. The most jobs are in California (11,880), Maryland (4,970) and Massachusetts (2,930).
The mean (average) annual wage is $106,330, higher than the median of $98,920.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $8,243
- Biweekly
- $3,805
- Weekly
- $1,902
- Daily (8 hours)
- $380
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do molecular biologists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for molecular biologists is $47.56. The middle 50% earn between $36.92 and $61.38 an hour.
Which state pays molecular biologists the most?
Maryland has the highest median wage for molecular biologists at $121,680, +23% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for molecular biologists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of molecular biologists earn less than $60,430 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.