Biochemists

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) reports that biochemists and biophysicists had average annual salaries of $107,460 in May 2023. Earnings ranged from less than $64,680 for the bottom 10 percent of biochemists and biophysicists to more than $175,790 per year for the top 10 percent of these two connected occupations. Fifty percent of biochemists and biophysicists earned between $81,650 and $136,080.

Colleges and universities also employ many biochemists and biophysicists as professors and researchers. The DOL reports that in May 2023, postsecondary chemistry teachers had median annual wages of $85,810. Earnings ranged from $52,590 to $171,750 or more.

Biochemists who work for universities, government agencies, or industry all tend to receive good benefits packages, such as health and life insurance, pension plans, and paid vacation and sick leave. Those employed as university faculty operate on the academic calendar, which means that they can get summer and winter breaks from teaching classes.