Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
Typical entry preparation: Master's Degree and 2 to 5 years of related work experience, per O*NET occupational data. Advancement typically requires additional years in role.
Develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs.
Communicate research results through conference presentations, scientific publications, or project reports.
Create novel computational approaches and analytical tools as required by research goals.
Consult with researchers to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, or determine computational strategies.
Analyze large molecular datasets, such as raw microarray data, genomic sequence data, or proteomics data, for clinical or basic research purposes.
Top skills:ScienceReading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingSpeakingActive Listening
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Biological Scientists, All Other pay by experience level
Entry level$62,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$79,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$102,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$132,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$174,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+1.2%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
4,800
projected openings per year
Growing slower than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Biological Scientists, All Other salary by industry
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
21,690 workers
$104,000
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
20,310 workers
$117,500
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
19,700 workers
$107,000
Scientific Research and Development Services
15,870 workers
$123,500
Educational Services
5,010 workers
$84,000
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
4,990 workers
$84,000
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
2,880 workers
$92,000
Educational Services, State Government Owned
2,820 workers
$82,500
Chemical Manufacturing
2,230 workers
$128,500
Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing
2,190 workers
$129,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
Develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs.
Communicate research results through conference presentations, scientific publications, or project reports.
Create novel computational approaches and analytical tools as required by research goals.
Consult with researchers to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, or determine computational strategies.
Analyze large molecular datasets, such as raw microarray data, genomic sequence data, or proteomics data, for clinical or basic research purposes.
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Exempt · Professional, Administrative, or Executive exemption
Occupations in this SOC group are typically classified as Exempt when paid above the salary threshold, provided they satisfy the duties test for one of the FLSA exemption categories. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
How this role compares
Biological Scientists, All Other pays 9% above the average across 66 roles in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family (family average $100,500).
Similar-paying roles in Life, Physical, and Social Science
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Biological Scientists, All Other make?
The average base salary for a Biological Scientists, All Other in the United States is $110,000 per year, or about $52.88 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $79,500 and $132,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Life, Physical, and Social Science roles?
The Life, Physical, and Social Science job family averages $100,500 across 66 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Biological Scientists, All Other pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
