Biochemists and biophysicists
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$103,650
~$50/hr · ~$8,638/mo
US Jobs
36K
Faster than average
AI & Automation Risk
7/10
High Risk
AI & Automation Risk
High Risk 7/10
This occupation is heavily centered on knowledge work, data analysis, and complex modeling, all of which are being revolutionized by AI (e.g., AlphaFold for protein structure prediction). While physical laboratory work and team management provide a buffer, a significant portion of the role involves literature review, grant writing, and data interpretation—tasks where AI can exponentially increase productivity or automate core analytical functions.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FLBEST VALUE | $144,180 | Above avg (112.1) | $128,631 |
| Boulder, CO | $126,800 | Average (100.6) | $126,026 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT Metropolitan Statistical Area | $134,460 | Above avg (107.0) | $125,651 |
| Worcester, MA | $129,130 | Average (103.0) | $125,391 |
| New Haven, CT | $128,760 | Above avg (105.4) | $122,212 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $128,910 | Above avg (106.5) | $121,056 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $140,850 | Above avg (117.6) | $119,820 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $127,510 | Above avg (110.4) | $115,506 |
| Rochester, NY | $113,010 | Average (98.4) | $114,860 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $110,140 | Average (97.7) | $112,707 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $126,830 | Above avg (113.1) | $112,180 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $110,460 | Average (102.4) | $107,910 |
| Madison, WI | $102,410 | Below avg (95.9) | $106,750 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $103,180 | Average (97.3) | $106,018 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $103,100 | Average (102.4) | $100,666 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Doctoral or professional degree
10-Year Growth
+6% (Faster than average)
Hourly Rate
~$50/hr
Monthly Income
~$8,638/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)