Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in Washington
Biochemists and Biophysicists in Washington earn a median of $98,840 a year ($47.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,040 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $127,410. Washington ranks 18th of 35 states for biochemists and biophysicists pay. There are 0.07 biochemists and biophysicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.34). The average (mean) salary is $98,000, close to the median.
Pay range for biochemists and biophysicists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,010 | $30.78 |
| 25th percentile | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Median | $98,840 | $47.52 |
| 75th percentile | $107,950 | $51.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,040 | $61.56 |
| Average (mean) | $98,000 | $47.12 |
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 | $8,236.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,118.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,801.54 |
| Weekly | $1,900.77 |
| Hourly | $47.52 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $79,550 | 180 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,110 | $51.97 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Conservation Scientist | $78,450 | $37.72 |
| Epidemiologist | $108,240 | $52.04 |
| Forester | $78,460 | $37.72 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $79,970 | $38.45 |
| Microbiologist | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $94,990 | $45.67 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $100,420 | $48.28 |
| Animal Scientist | $83,160 | $39.98 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,920 | $49.48 |
| Biological Technician | $60,800 | $29.23 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for biochemists and biophysicists in Washington is $98,840 a year, or $47.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid biochemists and biophysicists make in Washington?
The top 10% of biochemists and biophysicists in Washington earn at least $128,040 a year. The top 25% earn $107,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for biochemists and biophysicists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,010 a year, and a quarter of biochemists and biophysicists earn $79,550 or less.
How many biochemists and biophysicists work in Washington?
About 270 biochemists and biophysicists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.