How much money can you make with a molecular biology degree?
Does your dream degree lead to your dream salary?
After graduation, molecular biology graduates typically earn high salaries compared to the national average. Top earners make $ 95,178 , while the bottom 20% make close r to $ 34,079 . The median grad salary is $ 56,953 .
Molecular Biology graduate salaries over time
The typical early career salary for someone with a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology is $ 26,413 , and within five years of graduation, this average salary goes up to $ 41,774 .
This chart maps the average workforce wage by years of experience:
Wage ($USD)
Years of work experience.
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Molecular Biologist salary
Average molecular biologist salary, how much does a molecular biologist make.
The average molecular biologist salary in the United States is $73,763. Molecular biologist salaries typically range between $52,000 and $104,000 yearly. The average hourly rate for molecular biologists is $35.46 per hour.
Molecular biologist salary is impacted by location, education, and experience. Molecular biologists earn the highest average salary in Hawaii.
Where can a Molecular Biologist earn more?
Molecular biologist salary estimates from across the web, average molecular biologist salary by state.
The highest-paying states for molecular biologists are Hawaii, Alaska, and Massachusetts. The lowest average molecular biologist salary states are Wisconsin, Idaho, and New Mexico.
- County View
Highest paying states for molecular biologists
| Rank | State | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $94,719 | $45.54 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $85,075 | $40.90 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | $84,580 | $40.66 |
| 4 | Utah | $79,417 | $38.18 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $80,532 | $38.72 |
| 6 | Hawaii | $97,711 | $46.98 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $80,210 | $38.56 |
| 8 | District of Columbia | $84,728 | $40.73 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $79,671 | $38.30 |
| 10 | Nevada | $76,878 | $36.96 |
| 11 | New Jersey | $80,170 | $38.54 |
| 12 | New York | $79,137 | $38.05 |
| 13 | Montana | $73,518 | $35.35 |
| 14 | California | $80,090 | $38.50 |
| 15 | Maryland | $78,271 | $37.63 |
| 16 | Delaware | $78,915 | $37.94 |
| 17 | Indiana | $77,589 | $37.30 |
| 18 | Washington | $75,201 | $36.15 |
| 19 | Vermont | $74,923 | $36.02 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $77,791 | $37.40 |
| 21 | Georgia | $75,887 | $36.48 |
| 22 | Oregon | $73,845 | $35.50 |
| 23 | West Virginia | $69,435 | $33.38 |
| 24 | Oklahoma | $75,345 | $36.22 |
| 25 | Michigan | $66,574 | $32.01 |
| 26 | South Dakota | $73,091 | $35.14 |
| 27 | Nebraska | $68,498 | $32.93 |
| 28 | Maine | $71,011 | $34.14 |
| 29 | Virginia | $72,566 | $34.89 |
| 30 | Arizona | $69,403 | $33.37 |
| 31 | Mississippi | $67,385 | $32.40 |
| 32 | Minnesota | $68,347 | $32.86 |
| 33 | Illinois | $67,773 | $32.58 |
| 34 | North Carolina | $65,449 | $31.47 |
| 35 | Wyoming | $66,040 | $31.75 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $66,182 | $31.82 |
| 37 | Iowa | $65,476 | $31.48 |
| 38 | Alabama | $64,936 | $31.22 |
| 39 | Kansas | $63,483 | $30.52 |
| 40 | Colorado | $63,524 | $30.54 |
| 41 | Louisiana | $61,011 | $29.33 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $58,861 | $28.30 |
| 43 | Ohio | $61,395 | $29.52 |
| 44 | Texas | $63,786 | $30.67 |
| 45 | Florida | $59,955 | $28.82 |
| 46 | Idaho | $59,768 | $28.73 |
| 47 | Wisconsin | $59,842 | $28.77 |
| 48 | Tennessee | $60,140 | $28.91 |
| 49 | Missouri | $57,966 | $27.87 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $55,328 | $26.60 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $57,367 | $27.58 |
Highest paying cities for molecular biologists
The highest-paying cities for molecular biologists are Urban Honolulu, HI, San Francisco, CA, and Boston, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $98,164 | $47.19 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $86,754 | $41.71 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $85,144 | $40.93 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $84,795 | $40.77 |
| 5 | Piscataway, NJ | $80,172 | $38.54 |
| 6 | Shirley, NY | $79,658 | $38.30 |
| 7 | Silver Spring, MD | $78,161 | $37.58 |
| 8 | Carmel, IN | $77,662 | $37.34 |
| 9 | Atlanta, GA | $76,027 | $36.55 |
| 10 | Manassas, VA | $73,286 | $35.23 |
| 11 | Wheeling, IL | $68,083 | $32.73 |
| 12 | Durham, NC | $66,495 | $31.97 |
| 13 | Huntsville, AL | $65,842 | $31.65 |
| 14 | Austin, TX | $64,050 | $30.79 |
| 15 | Oak Ridge, TN | $61,536 | $29.58 |
| 16 | Athens, OH | $61,295 | $29.47 |
| 17 | Gainesville, FL | $60,091 | $28.89 |
| 18 | Madison, WI | $59,447 | $28.58 |
| 19 | Saint Louis, MO | $58,591 | $28.17 |
| 20 | Fayetteville, AR | $55,294 | $26.58 |
Molecular Biologist salary details
A molecular biologist's salary ranges from $52,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $104,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a molecular biologist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $8,667 | $50 |
| 75th Percentile | $88,000 | $7,333 | $42 |
| Average | $73,763 | $6,147 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,000 | $5,083 | $29 |
| 10th Percentile | $52,000 | $4,333 | $25 |
Highest paying molecular biologist jobs
The highest paying types of molecular biologists are medical science liaison, senior scientist, and scientist.
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Monthly Salary | Hourly Rate | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $43,034 | $3,586 | $20.69 | 64,786 | |
| $38,308 | $3,192 | $18.42 | 86,476 | |
| $44,024 | $3,669 | $21.17 | 44,074 | |
| $93,941 | $7,828 | $45.16 | 121,054 | |
| $97,344 | $8,112 | $46.80 | 62,467 | |
| $64,961 | $5,413 | $31.23 | 20,221 |
Top companies hiring molecular biologists now:
- Eli Lilly and Company Jobs (5)
- Argonne National Laboratory Jobs (6)
- Abbott Jobs (22)
- Battelle Jobs (4)
- The Dow Chemical Company Jobs (9)
Which companies pay molecular biologists the most?
Molecular biologist salaries at Novartis and Eli Lilly and Company are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average molecular biologist salary at companies like Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Abbott are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $99,163 | $47.67 | |
| 2 | $98,900 | $47.55 | |
| 3 | $92,783 | $44.61 | |
| 4 | $90,730 | $43.62 | |
| 5 | $89,087 | $42.83 | |
| 6 | $84,161 | $40.46 | |
| 7 | $82,665 | $39.74 | |
| 8 | $81,091 | $38.99 | |
| 9 | $80,751 | $38.82 | |
| 10 | $80,513 | $38.71 | |
| 11 | $79,526 | $38.23 | |
| 12 | $78,841 | $37.90 | |
| 13 | $78,392 | $37.69 | |
| 14 | $78,295 | $37.64 | |
| 15 | $78,274 | $37.63 | |
| 16 | $37.62 | ||
| 17 | $77,837 | $37.42 | |
| 18 | $77,684 | $37.35 | |
| 19 | $77,652 | $37.33 | |
| 20 | $77,643 | $37.33 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Molecular biologist salary by industry.
The average molecular biologist salary varies across industries:
- The average molecular biologist salary in the health care industry is $83,259, the highest of any industry.
- The average molecular biologist salary in the finance industry is $79,251.
- Molecular biologists in the government industry earn an average salary of $78,254, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for molecular biologists
| Rank | Industry | Average Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Health Care | $83,259 | $40.03 |
| 2 | Agriculture | $79,251 | $38.10 |
| 3 | Technology | $79,214 | $38.08 |
| 4 | Government | $78,254 | $37.62 |
High Paying Molecular Biologist Jobs
Molecular biologist salary trends.
The average molecular biologist salary has risen by $12,644 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average molecular biologist earned $61,119 annually, but today, they earn $73,763 a year. That works out to a 16% change in pay for molecular biologists over the last decade.
Compare molecular biologist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average molecular biologist salary over time
Compare molecular biologist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Molecular Biologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $73,800 | $35.46 | +4.4% |
| 2023 | $70,500 | $33.91 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | $68,700 | $33.05 | +3.3% |
| 2021 | $66,400 | $31.94 | +4.1% |
| 2020 | $63,700 | $30.63 | -0.5% |
Recently added molecular biologist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date Added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA | 06/30/2023 | $50,000 | ||
| Centrillion Technologies, Inc. | Molecular Biologist-Spatial Transcriptomics | Palo Alto, CA | 06/25/2023 | $75,000 |
| Durham, NC | 06/11/2023 | $73,045 | ||
| San Diego, CA | 06/08/2023 | $50,000 | ||
| Durham, NC | 06/07/2023 | $78,784 | ||
| Durham, NC | 06/07/2023 | $78,784 | ||
| Beltsville, MD | 06/06/2023 | $53,105 | ||
| Centrillion Technologies, Inc. | Molecular Biologist-Spatial Transcriptomics | Palo Alto, CA | 05/26/2023 | $75,000 |
| Andover, MA | 05/09/2023 | $86,986 | ||
| Lincoln, NE | 04/06/2023 | $69,107 |
Molecular Biologist salary FAQs
What state pays molecular biologists the most, how do i know if i'm being paid fairly as a molecular biologist.
Search for molecular biologist jobs
Molecular Biologist Related Salaries
- Assistant Research Scientist Salary
- Associate Scientist Salary
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Molecular Biologist Related Careers
- Assistant Research Scientist
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Molecular Biologist Related Jobs
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What Similar Roles Do
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Phd biology salary in the united states.
How much does a Phd Biology make in the United States? The salary range for a Phd Biology job is from $25,410 to $39,313 per year in the United States. Click on the filter to check out Phd Biology job salaries by hourly, weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, monthly, and yearly.
- Per semimonth
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- New Hampshire
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- West Virginia
- San Francisco, CA
- Washington, DC
- Chicago, IL
- New York, NY
HOW SHOULD YOU USE THIS DATA?
Employees: Use this as a guide for salary expectations, but be aware that responsibilities can change across companies for the same job title, so there may be differences between this data, other free site and our subscription products bought by employers.
Employers: This data could be used as reference point in your market pricing, but not the only source, due to differences across jobs locations, and sizes of companies.Consider additional sources like our Employer reported data.
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What Should I Pay?
Highest Paying Cities for Phd Biology in the United States
States with Higher Salaries for Phd Biology
How much do similar professions get paid in the united states, how much should you be earning, what does a phd biology do.
Many PhD programs in Biology are innovative and interactive with students working closely with other students as well as faculty.
PhD in Biology programs usually include gaining a solid foundation in biology knowledge base, as well as such concentrations as ecology, evolutionary biology, molecular, cellular, and developmental biology, and neuroscience.
There are many PhD Biology programs located around the world, each offering unique programs and perspectives, with high quality education and professional faculty.
(as demonstrated by passing the PhD qualifying exam), and has completed 32 credits of graduate-level coursework (not including research), may apply to the Graduate School for a Master of Science in Biology.
All candidates must fulfill the following requirements for successful completion of the Biology PhD program.
View Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles, 18 Industries, and 26 Job Families.
Most Common Benefits for Phd Biology
Related companies for phd biology in the united states, frequently asked questions, do i receive fair pay as a phd biology currently, what are the responsibilities of a phd biology, how much do similar jobs to phd biology make.
- College Instructor - Biology
- University Instructor - Biology
- College Professor - Biology
- University Professor - Biology
- College Assistant Professor - Biology
- University Assistant Professor - Biology
- College Associate Professor - Biology
Where can I get a higher Phd Biology salary in the United States?
What is the phd biology's salary range in the united states, career insights.
Doctorate (PhD), Molecular Genetics Degree
Doctorate (PhD), Molecular Genetics Jobs by Salary
Featured content, related degrees by salary.
Degrees in the same industry as Doctorate (PhD), Molecular Genetics, ranked by salary
Avg. Salary $105k
Avg. Salary $59k — $154k
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Avg. Salary $63k — $131k
Years of Experience
Gender breakdown for doctorate (phd), molecular genetics.
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What is the entry-level salary for Ph.D. graduates in biology, chemistry, or chemical biology?
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Avg. Salary $95k. Doctorate (PhD), Biology & Chemistry. Avg. Salary $95k. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Cell & Developmental Biology. Avg. Salary $65k — $189k. Bachelor's Degree, Biology. Avg ...
The estimated total pay for a PhD Molecular Biology is $186,847 per year in the United States area, with an average salary of $128,689 per year. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users.
Avg. Salary $93k. Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc), Cell & Molecular Biology. Avg. Salary $49k — $170k. Doctorate (PhD), Cancer Biology. Avg. Salary $60k — $108k. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD ...
Here are nine careers that you can pursue after earning a Ph.D. in biology. For the most up-to-date Indeed salaries, please click on the links below: 1. Postsecondary biological sciences teacher. National average salary: $53,712 per year Primary duties: Postsecondary biological sciences teachers lecture biology students on various related ...
The average salary for a PhD Molecular Biology is $87,968 per year in US. Click here to see the total pay, recent salaries shared and more!
The estimated total pay for a PhD Molecular Biology is $181,501 per year in the United States area, with an average salary of $133,030 per year. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users.
The average salary for a molecular biologist in the United States is around $61,001 per year. Avg Salary. Show avg hourly wage. $35k Bottom 20%. $61k Median. $106.4k Top 20%. Molecular biologists earn an average yearly salary of $61,001. Wages typically start from $34,974 and go up to $106,399. 1% above national average Updated in 2023.
The average Molecular Biologist salary is $57,955 as of June 27, 2024, but the salary range typically falls between $52,472 and $65,458. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Molecular Biology graduate salaries over time. The typical early career salary for someone with a bachelor's degree in molecular biology is $ 28,908, and within five years of graduation, this average salary goes up to $ 40,213. This chart maps the average workforce wage by years of experience:
While there isn't salary data available for molecular biologists specifically, the average salary for biologists is $76,254 per year. Salary expectations can depend on factors like geographic location, experience and employer. For those interesting in earning more as molecular biologists, you can often increase your earning potential by seeking ...
The average salary for a Molecular Biologist is $66,506 in 2024. Base Salary. $49k - $101k. ... Most employers prefer that molecular biologists have a PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry ...
The average molecular biologist salary in the United States is $73,763. Molecular biologist salaries typically range between $52,000 and $104,000 yearly. The average hourly rate for molecular biologists is $35.46 per hour. Molecular biologist salary is impacted by location, education, and experience.
2. Microbiologist. National average salary: $63,211 per year Primary duties: A microbiologist's primary duties involve the study of some of the smallest lifeforms on the planet, such as bacteria and fungi. Duties will include both lab and fieldwork, collecting samples and performing research.
Updated Jun 6, 2024. The estimated total pay for a Phd Molecular is $180,246 per year, with an average salary of $136,497 per year. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated additional pay is $43,749 per year.
Above average salary for a post doc means nothing ... Starting biotech salary with a biology PhD is minimum $100k. A masters and 5-10 years experience should put you in the $80-100k range as well. My bosses are PhD with 15-25 years and making in the $250-400k range at director, VP, and CSO levels. ... Rutgers pays molecular bio/immunology PhD ...
What is the Phd Biology's salary range in the United States? The highest Phd Biology salary is $39,240, while the lowest is $25,364 in the United States. As a Phd Biology, I make an average base salary of $32,368 per Year in the US. Finger out salary benefits for Phd Biology.
Recent Grads/Entry Level (Job Segmentation) Starting Pay / Salary Range. $128,000.00 - $128,000.00 / year. 633 Molecular Biology PhD Salary jobs available on Indeed.com. Apply to Scientist, Senior Scientist, Faculty and more!
How much does a Molecular Biologist make? As of Jun 26, 2024, the average annual pay for a Molecular Biologist in the United States is $81,704 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $39.28 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,571/week or $6,808/month. While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual ...
Doctorate (PhD), Biology - Salary - Get a free salary comparison based on job title, skills, experience and education. ... (PhD), Molecular Biology. Avg. Salary $65k — $149k. Bachelor of Arts ...
Philosophiae Doctor (PhD), Cell & Molecular Biology. Avg. Salary $105k. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Molecular Genetics. Avg. Salary $59k — $154k. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Molecular Medicine ...
Total pay range. $109K - $190K/yr. $143K/yr Median total pay. Pay breakdown. $73K - $123K/yr Base pay. $36K - $67K/yr Additional pay. The estimated total pay for a Molecular Biologist is $142,812 per year, with an average salary of $94,677 per year. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary ...
What's really outrageous though, is there has been no significant increase in pay since approx the 1980s. So PhD students then were significantly more well off by comparison. And btw, 38k is about 50,000 dollars. Edit, I mention 38k because generally you can expect to increase your salary relatively well after about 2 years with an employer here.
Related: 9 Careers After a PhD in Biology (With Salaries) 3. Environmental science National average salary: $87,560 per year A Ph.D. in environmental science involves studying the natural environment and conducting research about environmental issues like climate change. Ph.D. students may study the challenges affecting humans, animals, plant ...