Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in North Carolina
Biochemists and Biophysicists in North Carolina earn a median of $82,220 a year ($39.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,940 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $127,410. North Carolina ranks 26th of 35 states for biochemists and biophysicists pay. There are 0.12 biochemists and biophysicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $102,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for biochemists and biophysicists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,850 | $30.22 |
| 25th percentile | $67,140 | $32.28 |
| Median | $82,220 | $39.53 |
| 75th percentile | $119,960 | $57.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,940 | $77.38 |
| Average (mean) | $102,050 | $49.06 |
Half of biochemists and biophysicists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,851.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,425.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,162.31 |
| Weekly | $1,581.15 |
| Hourly | $39.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $98,820 | 50 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $87,650 | 260 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $79,990 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for biochemists and biophysicists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $157,390 |
| California | $139,580 |
| Tennessee | $134,560 |
| Pennsylvania | $134,090 |
| Connecticut | $132,670 |
| Massachusetts | $131,600 |
| New Jersey | $122,620 |
| District of Columbia | $120,090 |
| New Hampshire | $109,770 |
| Michigan | $109,340 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,070 | $48.11 |
| Microbiologist | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $76,330 | $36.70 |
| Conservation Scientist | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $79,840 | $38.38 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,770 | $40.76 |
| Forester | $77,870 | $37.44 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Chemist | $82,620 | $39.72 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,130 | $35.64 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $63,710 | $30.63 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,130 | $44.29 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a biochemists and biophysicists make in North Carolina?
The median salary for biochemists and biophysicists in North Carolina is $82,220 a year, or $39.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid biochemists and biophysicists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of biochemists and biophysicists in North Carolina earn at least $160,940 a year. The top 25% earn $119,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for biochemists and biophysicists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,850 a year, and a quarter of biochemists and biophysicists earn $67,140 or less.
How many biochemists and biophysicists work in North Carolina?
About 570 biochemists and biophysicists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.