How much does a biologist make?
Answer: A typical biologist in the United States makes $98,920 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 56,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Biologist pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $60,430 | $98,920 | $168,010 | about 56,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $121,680 | about 5,000 |
| California | $113,530 | about 12,000 |
| Washington | $108,110 | about 3,000 |
| Massachusetts | $107,100 | about 3,000 |
| New Jersey | $104,750 | about 540 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can rise with experience, advanced degrees or job-relevant credentials, specialized knowledge, and greater responsibility. It also differs by employer sector and location; some biologists work long or irregular field schedules, which can change total earnings.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a biologist do?
All biological scientists not listed separately.
What's a typical day like?
A biologist may collect plant or animal samples in the field, then study them with lab tools and computer programs. They analyze the results, write reports, and explain their findings to coworkers or the public.
How to get this job
In the United States, study biology or a related science in college and earn a bachelor’s degree. Many biologists continue to a master’s or Ph.D. for advanced research or university jobs, and the right path depends on their specialty.
Did you know?
Biologists can detect a fish without seeing it: they test water for DNA the fish leaves behind in skin cells, waste, or mucus.
Similar jobs
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Life, Physical, and Social Science jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
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.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-1029.04
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/19-1029.04
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.fws.gov/story/2021-06/biologists-use-dna-locate-invasive-and-endangered-spec
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY