Biologist Salary – U.S. & Global Averages, Career Insights & FAQs
Overview — Key Data Points at a Glance
- Average U.S. Biologist Salary: roughly $73,000–$81,000 per year across major job sites.
- Biological Scientists (U.S. Government Data): mean wage ~ $99,060 per year (BLS, 2023) for all other biological scientists.
- Median Biological Scientists (Degree Field): ~$75,000/year per BLS field-of-degree data.
- Biologist Salary Range: typically $60,000 – $95,000+ for standard roles; specialized positions and senior scientists can exceed $120,000+.
- Variation by Specialization: Academia & NGOs often pay lower; corporate, pharma, and government labs often pay higher.
- Related Roles: Wildlife biologists have a median near $72,860/year (BLS).
- Global variances: Salaries vary widely by country and sector — from lower middle-income regions up to highly competitive markets in Europe, North America, and select biotech hubs.
1. What Is a Biologist?
Biologists are scientists who study living organisms — from microbes to ecosystems — and how they interact with each other and the environment. Their work spans research, conservation, healthcare, biotech, academia, and government labs. Biologists can specialize (e.g., marine biology, molecular biology, ecology, genetics), and these pathways strongly influence career prospects and salaries.
2. U.S. Biologist Salary Data & Averages
Median & Typical Salaries
There isn’t a single “official” salary number for all biologists, because the field is broad and includes many specialties. But major salary sources converge in the general range:
- Glassdoor: ~$81,218 per year average for biologists in the U.S. (with typical ranges from ~$60,829 to ~$112,303).
- Talent.com: ~$73,303 per year (~$37/hour).
- PayScale: ~$68,285 per year (average).
- ZipRecruiter: ~$89,403 per year average.
- BLS Field of Degree: Biology field graduates report median wages of ~$75,000/year.
Distinguishing Roles Within Biology
- Biological Scientists (All Other): mean wage of ~$99,060 (BLS May 2023).
- Zoologists & Wildlife Biologists: median $72,860 (BLS).
- Specialized or Government Biologists: individual agencies (e.g., FDA) report averages ~$107,947.
This data shows that general biologist salaries cluster in the ~$65,000–$90,000 range, with specialized scientific roles and experienced positions increasing well beyond that.
3. Salary Influencers — What Drives Pay in Biology Careers
Several factors shape how much a biologist earns:
Education Level
- Bachelor’s degree: typical entry level around $60k–$75k.
- Master’s/Ph.D.: advanced degrees often unlock senior research, managerial or specialized scientific roles with higher compensation (e.g., biotech, pharma).
Industry Sector
- Biotech/Pharmaceuticals: often among the highest pay outside engineering; specialized research labs may exceed normal ranges.
- Government Agencies & National Labs: can offer strong benefits and competitive salaries (~$90k+ median in some cases).
- Academic & Nonprofit: tends to be lower, particularly at early career stages.
Location
- Major biotech hubs (Boston-Cambridge, San Diego, Washington D.C.) often show higher salary figures.
- Cost of living and regional demand influence pay.
Experience & Role Complexity
- Entry level vs senior ranking scientists can see major jumps in compensation (sometimes $100k+ in senior research positions with publications or leadership duties).
4. Salary Chart — U.S. Biologist Salary Ranges
| Role / Salary Metric | 10th Percentile | Median / Avg | 75th | 90th+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biologist (Glassdoor) | ~$60,800 | ~$81,218 | ~$112,300 | ~$148,000+ |
| Biologist (Talent.com) | ~$59,529 | ~$73,303 | ~$95,362 | — |
| Biological Scientists (BLS)* | ~$52,230 | ~$91,100 | ~$119,390 | ~$158,730 |
| Wildlife Biologist | ~$48,240 | ~$72,860 | ~$113,350 | — |
BLS classification “Biological Scientists, All Other” captures research/scientific roles outside specific subcategories.
5. Global Biologist Salary Insights
Global salary data varies widely by country and local economic conditions. Salary benchmarking tools like SalaryExpert allow comparisons — in many developed economies, biologists in research, industry, or corporate labs earn considerably more than in less affluent regions, reflecting demand, project funding, and cost of living.
Examples of global influences:
- Biologists in high-income countries generally see salary inflation relative to national averages.
- Emerging markets may offer lower nominal pay but can be supplemented with international project contracts or academia collaborations.
6. Career Path & Compensation Over Time
Entry Level
- Typical salaries start near $55,000–$75,000 for bachelor’s holders in standard lab or field roles.
Mid Career
- With a master’s degree or 3–7 years’ experience, many professionals move into project lead, research, or senior technician roles crossing $80,000–$100,000+.
Senior & Specialized Roles
- Senior scientists, principal investigators, biotech leads, and government researchers often earn $100,000–$150,000+ depending on employer and funding.
7. Biologist Salary Chart — Visual Summary
| Salary Tier | Annual Pay Range (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Biologist | $55,000 – $70,000 |
| Mid Career | $70,000 – $95,000 |
| Senior / Specialized Research | $95,000 – $150,000+ |
| Government / High-End Industry | $90,000 – $130,000+ |
This reflects trends across public data and job posting aggregators.
8. Job Outlook & Future Demand (2026)
Biologists are needed across research, healthcare, environmental conservation, biotech, and education. While growth rates vary by specialty (e.g., ecology vs molecular biology), areas like biotechnology, genetic research, and computational biology are expanding rapidly relative to traditional roles.
Salary growth may be tied to:
- Biotech funding trends
- Research grant availability
- Industry investments in life sciences
9. FAQs — Salary of Biologist
Q1: What is the average salary for a biologist in the U.S.?
A: A range of sources suggests an average from ~$68,000 to ~$81,000 per year, depending on role and data source.
Q2: Do biologists make six-figure salaries?
A: Yes — senior scientists, specialized research roles, and certain government or corporate positions can exceed $100,000 annually.
Q3: How does experience affect biologist pay?
A: Entry level pay tends to be below the field average, while experience, specialization, and advanced degrees can substantially boost earnings.
Q4: Is a Ph.D. required for high pay?
A: Not always, but advanced degrees significantly increase competitiveness for higher-salary research roles.
Q5: What sectors pay biologists the most?
A: Industry roles (biotech, pharmaceuticals, government labs) generally pay more than academic and nonprofit roles.
Q6: How does a biologist’s salary compare to the national average?
A: Biologists generally earn above the U.S. national average salary, reflecting specialized skills and STEM positioning.
Q7: Are wildlife biologists paid similarly to other biologists?
A: Their median pay is slightly lower (~$72,860) but still competitive within the life sciences.
Conclusion
The career of a biologist is anchored in scientific inquiry and offers diverse salary outcomes based on specialization, education, industry, and experience. From foundational research to high-impact biotech roles, compensation reflects both technical skill and domain expertise — with clear pathways toward six-figure earnings as careers advance.
