What biochemists and biophysicists earn across drug discovery and R&D, by percentile, from U.S. BLS OEWS wage data.
Median (national)
$107,460
Typical range (25th–75th)
$81,650–$136,080
Biochemists and biophysicists study the molecules and mechanisms that drug programmes are built on — protein structure, enzymology, assay development and the biology behind a target. The role concentrates in scientific R&D and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and it is a core bench discipline in early discovery and preclinical science. Pay climbs with the move from running assays to designing the science and leading a research area, and advanced degrees are common toward the higher percentiles.
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Figures are national annual wage percentiles from U.S. BLS OEWS (May 2023, national), using the occupational category Biochemists & Biophysicists (SOC 19-1021) as the closest match — the same source RoleLantern uses for its pay-transparency checks. Release: May 2023. Actual pay varies with location, employer, therapeutic area, seniority and total compensation (bonus and equity). See bls.gov/oes.