Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in Pennsylvania
Biochemists and Biophysicists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $134,090 a year ($64.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,750 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,820 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $127,410. Pennsylvania ranks 4th of 35 states for biochemists and biophysicists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.45 biochemists and biophysicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $137,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for biochemists and biophysicists in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,890 | $39.85 |
| 25th percentile | $105,490 | $50.72 |
| Median | $134,090 | $64.47 |
| 75th percentile | $171,450 | $82.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,820 | $83.09 |
| Average (mean) | $137,680 | $66.19 |
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 | $11,174.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,587.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,157.31 |
| Weekly | $2,578.65 |
| Hourly | $64.47 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $134,090 | 3,050 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $125,020 | 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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $99,190 | $47.69 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,780 | $48.45 |
| Conservation Scientist | $61,480 | $29.56 |
| Microbiologist | $84,650 | $40.70 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $83,380 | $40.09 |
| Epidemiologist | $87,860 | $42.24 |
| Forester | $78,280 | $37.64 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $83,680 | $40.23 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $70,550 | $33.92 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $78,540 | $37.76 |
| Animal Scientist | $77,660 | $37.34 |
| Chemist | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,050 | $41.85 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,870 | $44.17 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for biochemists and biophysicists in Pennsylvania is $134,090 a year, or $64.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid biochemists and biophysicists make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of biochemists and biophysicists in Pennsylvania earn at least $172,820 a year. The top 25% earn $171,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for biochemists and biophysicists in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,890 a year, and a quarter of biochemists and biophysicists earn $105,490 or less.
How many biochemists and biophysicists work in Pennsylvania?
About 2,750 biochemists and biophysicists are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.