The Average Salary of a Molecular Biologist

Molecular biologists study DNA.

Molecular biologists work in many different industries; they may work as researchers, teachers in a university setting or for the government. The type of employer, experience and location affect a molecular biologist's salary.

Annual Salary

Data collected by PayScale, show that the salary for a molecular biologist ranges between $39,563 and $69,011 per year as of August 2010. This range increases to a high of $70,055 with the addition of bonuses and profit sharing options.

Salary by Experience

A molecular biologist with less than one year of experience earned a median yearly salary of $21,000 to $49,355. With five to nine years of experience, the range increases between $44,699 and $68,748; with over 20 years of experience, the salary range is $61,020 to $97,854 per year. These figures reflect August 2010 PayScale surveys.

Employer Considerations

The PayScale data show that one of the lower-paying positions as a molecular biologist is working for a college or university; the median salary range is $29,758 to $52,440 per year as of August 2010. When working for a hospital, the median salary is $45,781 to $99,157 per year.

State Considerations

A molecular biologist's location directly impacts his salary. According to PayScale, in Colorado, the median salary is $40,000 to $56,500, whereas in New York, the median range is $49,435 to $89,000 per year as of August 2010.

References

• USDA Living Science: Molecular Biologist
• PayScale: Molecular Biologist
• PayScale: Molecular Biologist by Experience
• PayScale: Molecular Biologist by Employer Type
• PayScale: Molecular Biologist by State or Province