How much does a biology professor make?
a year · about $41 an hour
A typical biology professor in the United States makes $84,620 a year, about $41 an hour, about 1.7× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They might discuss molecular biology in a lecture, then walk between lab benches as students work and stop to answer questions. At a research university, they may also run experiments, write papers or grant requests, and grade work.
Did you know? Some biology professors spend 2–3 years in a postdoctoral research job, often at a college or university.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $52,150 and $169,900How do you become one?
Earn a biology-related bachelor’s degree, then usually a Ph.D.; some community-college jobs accept a master’s. Some then spend 2–3 years in postdoctoral research; a state license may be needed only for certain jobs tied to licensed professions.
School needed: Graduate degree or long training
Good for people who like helping and teaching and figuring things out
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., biology professors’ pay can differ with experience, senior rank and responsibility, location, and the kind and size of college. Full-time research-focused jobs can pay differently from part-time or teaching-focused roles, and specialized skills or credentials may matter too.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($129,150), lowest in Florida ($57,140).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
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Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $52,150 | $84,620 | $169,900 | about 50,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $129,150 | about 4,000 |
| Massachusetts | $105,050 | about 2,000 |
| Michigan | $103,620 | about 1,000 |
| Oregon | $100,820 | about 800 |
| Illinois | $99,060 | about 2,000 |
Official definition: Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-1042.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/May/oes251042.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY