Biologist Salary Overview
The Biologist is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $65,000. Compensation typically ranges from $38,400 for entry-level positions to $104,200 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Biologist in the US earns between $38,400 and $104,200 per year, with a median of $65,000.
Biologist Salary by Experience
Entry-level biologists earn around $42,250, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $87,750 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $43,550 | $21/hr | $36,108 |
| Mid | $65,000 | $31/hr | $51,815 |
| Senior | $81,900 | $39/hr | $62,248 |
| Lead | $91,000 | $44/hr | $67,804 |
Biologist Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Biologist in each US state.
Pay for biologists varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $65,000 | $5,914 | $3,085 | $4,972 | $51,028 | 21.5% |
| Alaska | $65,000 | $5,914 | $0 | $4,972 | $54,114 | 16.7% |
| Arizona | $65,000 | $5,914 | $1,260 | $4,972 | $52,854 | 18.7% |
| Arkansas | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,634 | $4,972 | $51,480 | 20.8% |
| California | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,298 | $4,972 | $51,815 | 20.3% |
| Colorado | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,200 | $4,972 | $51,914 | 20.1% |
| Connecticut | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,825 | $4,972 | $51,288 | 21.1% |
| Delaware | $65,000 | $5,914 | $3,059 | $4,972 | $51,054 | 21.5% |
| District of Columbia | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,876 | $4,972 | $51,238 | 21.2% |
| Florida | $65,000 | $5,914 | $0 | $4,972 | $54,114 | 16.7% |
| Georgia | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,910 | $4,972 | $51,204 | 21.2% |
| Hawaii | $65,000 | $5,914 | $4,435 | $4,972 | $49,679 | 23.6% |
| Idaho | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,923 | $4,972 | $51,190 | 21.2% |
| Illinois | $65,000 | $5,914 | $3,080 | $4,972 | $51,033 | 21.5% |
| Indiana | $65,000 | $5,914 | $1,982 | $4,972 | $52,131 | 19.8% |
| Iowa | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,470 | $4,972 | $51,644 | 20.5% |
| Kansas | $65,000 | $5,914 | $3,048 | $4,972 | $51,066 | 21.4% |
| Kentucky | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,474 | $4,972 | $51,640 | 20.6% |
| Louisiana | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,181 | $4,972 | $51,932 | 20.1% |
| Maine | $65,000 | $5,914 | $3,155 | $4,972 | $50,959 | 21.6% |
| Maryland | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,914 | $4,972 | $51,200 | 21.2% |
| Massachusetts | $65,000 | $5,914 | $3,030 | $4,972 | $51,084 | 21.4% |
| Michigan | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,524 | $4,972 | $51,589 | 20.6% |
| Minnesota | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,969 | $4,972 | $51,144 | 21.3% |
| Mississippi | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,477 | $4,972 | $51,637 | 20.6% |
| Missouri | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,249 | $4,972 | $51,864 | 20.2% |
| Montana | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,728 | $4,972 | $51,386 | 20.9% |
| Nebraska | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,275 | $4,972 | $51,838 | 20.2% |
| Nevada | $65,000 | $5,914 | $0 | $4,972 | $54,114 | 16.7% |
| New Hampshire | $65,000 | $5,914 | $0 | $4,972 | $54,114 | 16.7% |
| New Jersey | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,099 | $4,972 | $52,015 | 20.0% |
| New Mexico | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,190 | $4,972 | $51,923 | 20.1% |
| New York | $65,000 | $5,914 | $3,121 | $4,972 | $50,993 | 21.5% |
| North Carolina | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,351 | $4,972 | $51,762 | 20.4% |
| North Dakota | $65,000 | $5,914 | $983 | $4,972 | $53,131 | 18.3% |
| Ohio | $65,000 | $5,914 | $1,069 | $4,972 | $53,044 | 18.4% |
| Oklahoma | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,597 | $4,972 | $51,516 | 20.7% |
| Oregon | $65,000 | $5,914 | $5,162 | $4,972 | $48,951 | 24.7% |
| Pennsylvania | $65,000 | $5,914 | $1,996 | $4,972 | $52,118 | 19.8% |
| Rhode Island | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,042 | $4,972 | $52,072 | 19.9% |
| South Carolina | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,533 | $4,972 | $51,581 | 20.6% |
| South Dakota | $65,000 | $5,914 | $0 | $4,972 | $54,114 | 16.7% |
| Tennessee | $65,000 | $5,914 | $0 | $4,972 | $54,114 | 16.7% |
| Texas | $65,000 | $5,914 | $0 | $4,972 | $54,114 | 16.7% |
| Utah | $65,000 | $5,914 | $3,022 | $4,972 | $51,091 | 21.4% |
| Vermont | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,349 | $4,972 | $51,764 | 20.4% |
| Virginia | $65,000 | $5,914 | $3,221 | $4,972 | $50,892 | 21.7% |
| Washington | $65,000 | $5,914 | $0 | $4,972 | $54,114 | 16.7% |
| West Virginia | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,440 | $4,972 | $51,674 | 20.5% |
| Wisconsin | $65,000 | $5,914 | $2,357 | $4,972 | $51,756 | 20.4% |
| Wyoming | $65,000 | $5,914 | $0 | $4,972 | $54,114 | 16.7% |
Top Cities for Biologist Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for biologists tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Bethesda, MD | $71,500 |
| San Francisco, CA | $71,500 |
| Boston, MA | $71,500 |
| San Diego, CA | $71,500 |
| Hartford, CT | $71,500 |
Calculate Biologist Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Biologist
Becoming a biologist typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Biologist Career Outlook
Employment of biologists is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Biologist Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for biologists in the US is $65,000, with a typical range from $38,400 to $104,200 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for biologists include MD, CA, MA. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level biologists can expect to earn around $42,250 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a biologist can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for biologists is approximately $31.25, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.