Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in Virginia
Biochemists and Biophysicists in Virginia earn a median of $105,780 a year ($50.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $221,880 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $127,410. Virginia ranks 13th of 35 states for biochemists and biophysicists pay. There are 0.02 biochemists and biophysicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.08). The average (mean) salary is $126,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for biochemists and biophysicists in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,640 | $35.89 |
| 25th percentile | $104,990 | $50.48 |
| Median | $105,780 | $50.86 |
| 75th percentile | $131,300 | $63.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $221,880 | $106.67 |
| Average (mean) | $126,950 | $61.03 |
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 | $8,815 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,407.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,068.46 |
| Weekly | $2,034.23 |
| Hourly | $50.86 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $103,660 | 490 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $96,030 | $46.17 |
| Conservation Scientist | $77,380 | $37.20 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $81,600 | $39.23 |
| Forester | $71,990 | $34.61 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $72,340 | $34.78 |
| Microbiologist | $77,820 | $37.41 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,930 | $40.83 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $93,590 | $44.99 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,800 | $43.66 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $140,670 | $67.63 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,230 | $39.53 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $67,240 | $32.33 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for biochemists and biophysicists in Virginia is $105,780 a year, or $50.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $221,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid biochemists and biophysicists make in Virginia?
The top 10% of biochemists and biophysicists in Virginia earn at least $221,880 a year. The top 25% earn $131,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for biochemists and biophysicists in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,640 a year, and a quarter of biochemists and biophysicists earn $104,990 or less.
How many biochemists and biophysicists work in Virginia?
About 70 biochemists and biophysicists are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.