The following page shows the career & education requirements, salary and job outlook for Biochemistry around the country.
What We Do
Biochemistry involves using fluorescent microscope, lasers, and other advanced technologies in order to scientifically analyze and experiment on the chemical processes that occur in living organisms. It also involves using computer modeling software and x-rays, for instance, to further study various biological molecules. Many work specifically on synthesizing recombinant DNA, with a focus on basic research that doesn’t have an immediate application. Biochemists want to expand overall human research, rather than solving specific problems through applied research. Biochemists study a range of different things, including cell molecular mechanisms, the evolution of animals and plants, genetic materials, and more. Others, particularly those involved in applied research, try to help make the world a better place, for instance, by creating better diagnostic tools or medication. In fact, applied biochemistry is very closely related to the field of medicine. Last but not least, biochemistry is involved in genetically manipulating crops, investigating alternative fuels, cleaning up pollution, and protecting the environment.
Work Environment
Most biochemists work in research and development of life, engineering, and physical sciences. They are often found in professional schools, universities, and colleges, but equally so in medicine manufacturing and pharmaceutical companies. Some are found within basic chemical manufacturing, and others still, in technical, scientific, and management consultancy.
How to Become a Biochemistry
To become a biochemist, you must first complete a Ph.D., which will allow you to do independent research. Usually, people start to work in a postdoctoral research position following a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree, and then develop from there. Most of those who hold the Ph.D. have completed a bachelor’s in biochemistry first.
Training & Certification Requirements
Almost always, biochemists find their first job in a temporary position, enabling them to perform postdoctoral research. During their appointments to complete their degree, they work alongside highly experienced scientists, who serve as mentors to the student. This enables prospective chemists to find out what their personal areas of interests are, as well as being exposed to a range of different research methods. In many cases, students publish post doctoral research, which is necessary if they intend to work in universities to teach the next generation of biochemists.
Biochemistry Related Job Titles
According to Indeed.com, the following career/job titles with salary figures are most closely related to Biochemistry.
Career/Job Title | Average Salary |
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Bacteriologist | $46,000 |
Crime Laboratory Analyst | $83,000 |
Biochemistry Tutoring Teaching | $55,000 |
Biochemistry Tutor Teacher | $55,000 |
Institute Associate Scientist | $77,000 |
Chemistry Instructor | $53,000 |
Senior Associate Scientist | $65,000 |
QC Chemist Pharmaceutical | $41,000 |
Assistant Chemist | $35,000 |
Associate Scientist | $52,000 |
Biochemistry Earning Potential
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, biochemists earned a median salary of $82,150 per year as of May 2015.
Biochemistry Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that biochemists can expect to see an 8% rise in demand for biochemists between the years of 2014 and 2024, which is on par with the national average.
According to Indeed.com, the average national salary of jobs for Biochemistry was $50,000.00 with a high confidence ranking based on over 250 sources. Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide are 12% lower than average salaries for all job postings nationwide.
Biochemistry Salary by State
The following lists Biochemistry salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings by employers through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $63,000 while Hawaii had the smallest quoted salary of $31,000.
Alaska – $37,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 48th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Alaska are 26% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Workplace Alaska. |
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Alabama – $51,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 14th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Alabama are 1% higher than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Auburn University Faculty, University of Alabama, UAB, and Unlisted Company. |
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Arkansas – $52,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 11th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Arkansas are 2% higher than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Arkansas, Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, and Natural Grocers. |
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Arizona – $41,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 44th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Arizona are 18% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Grand Canyon University, Arizona State University, Natural Grocers, and The Princeton Review. |
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California – $54,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 8th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in California are 7% higher than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Illumina, Inc., BioPhase Solutions, Genentech, and Unlisted Company. |
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Colorado – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 34th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Colorado are 11% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like KBI Biopharma, Tolmar Inc, Somalogic, Inc., and University of Denver. |
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Connecticut – $58,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 4th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Connecticut are 15% higher than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Alexion, NSF International, Can-Am Consultants, Inc., and Yale University. |
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DC – $63,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 1st | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Washington, DC are 25% higher than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Unlisted Company, Meso Scale Diagnostics, The Princeton Review, and TechUSA. |
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Delaware – $44,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 38th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Delaware are 12% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Siemens, QPS, LLC., American Registry of Pathology, and Agilent. |
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Florida – $47,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 28th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Florida are 7% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Moffitt Cancer Center, The Princeton Review, University of Tampa, and Brammer. |
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Georgia – $58,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 5th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Georgia are 14% higher than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like IHRC, Inc., Emory University, Collab Infotech, and Morehouse School of Medicine. |
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Hawaii – $31,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 51st | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Hawaii are 38% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 51st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Hawaii, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, College of Natural Science, Department of Chemistry UH Manoa, and Unlisted Company. |
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Iowa – $50,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 17th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Iowa are 2% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The University of Iowa, Kemin Industries, Inc., DuPont, and Unlisted Company. |
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Idaho – $33,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 50th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Idaho are 34% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like ALK Source Materials, J. R. Simplot Company, Idaho Division of Human Resources, and Idaho State University. |
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Illinois – $57,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 6th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Illinois are 13% higher than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Momentum Scientific, University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago, and The Princeton Review. |
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Indiana – $48,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 24th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Indiana are 4% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Princeton Review, Purdue University, The Dow Chemical Company, and Eurofins. |
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Kansas – $46,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 30th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Kansas are 9% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Kansas State University, University of Kansas, CEVA Animal Health, LLC, and Natural Grocers. |
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Kentucky – $44,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 39th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Kentucky are 14% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CAL Laboratory Services, Western Kentucky University, University of Kentucky, and PPD. |
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Louisiana – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 35th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Louisiana are 11% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Princeton Review, Tulane University, LSUHSC, and Louisiana State University. |
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Massachusetts – $61,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 2nd | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Massachusetts are 20% higher than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Genzyme, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Broad Institute, and BMS. |
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Maryland – $52,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 12th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Maryland are 3% higher than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Laulima Government Solutions, LLC., Meso Scale Diagnostics, TechUSA, and Venesco LLC. |
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Maine – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 36th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Maine are 12% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like IDEXX Laboratories, Corning, The Jackson Laboratory, and Elsevier. |
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Michigan – $51,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 15th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Michigan are 1% higher than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Michigan State University, Pfizer Inc., Neogen, and Zoetis. |
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Minnesota – $44,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 40th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Minnesota are 13% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Bio-Techne, University of Minnesota Medical School, Cargill, and DiaSorin. |
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Missouri – $50,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 18th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Missouri are 2% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Analytical Bio-Chemistry Laboratories, Inc, Washington University in St. Louis, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, and University of Missouri- Columbia. |
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Mississippi – $53,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 9th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Mississippi are 5% higher than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Southern Mississippi, University of Mississippi, Unlisted Company, and Bennett Aerospace Inc.. |
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Montana – $42,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 43rd | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Montana are 17% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Montana State University. |
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North Carolina – $48,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 25th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in North Carolina are 5% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like BioAgilytix, North Carolina State University, The Princeton Review, and ZP Group. |
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North Dakota – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 37th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in North Dakota are 11% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like North Dakota State University, Natural Grocers, Aldevron, and Swanson Health Products. |
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Nebraska – $37,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 49th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Nebraska are 27% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Nebraska Medical Center, Eurofins, Neogen, and State of Nebraska. |
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New Hampshire – $50,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 19th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in New Hampshire are 1% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dartmouth College, Lonza, 7851, and D-H Lebanon DHMC Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic. |
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New Jersey – $55,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 7th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in New Jersey are 8% higher than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Oncobiologics, Inc., GeneDx, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc., and Patheon. |
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New Mexico – $44,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 41st | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in New Mexico are 13% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute. |
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Nevada – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 47th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Nevada are 24% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Hamilton Company, University of Nevada, Reno – Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, and Unlisted Company. |
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New York – $61,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 3rd | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in New York State are 21% higher than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Princeton Review, NYU Langone Medical Center, University of Rochester, and University at Buffalo. |
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Ohio – $48,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 26th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Ohio are 4% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Princeton Review, Thermalin Diabetes, LLC, University Hospitals, and Cincinnati Children's Hospital. |
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Oklahoma – $47,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 29th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Oklahoma are 8% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Cytovance Biologics, Unlisted Company, Venesco LLC, and Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. |
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Oregon – $49,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 21st | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Oregon are 3% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Oregon Health & Science University, University of Oregon, Oregon State University, and State of Oregon. |
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Pennsylvania – $49,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 22nd | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Pennsylvania are 4% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Lancaster Laboratories, Penn State University, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Lab Support. |
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Rhode Island – $46,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 31st | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Rhode Island are 9% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Brown University, The State of Rhode Island, Teknor Apex Company, and Purdue Pharma. |
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South Carolina – $50,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 16th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in South Carolina are 1% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Medical University of South Carolina, Top Gun Staffing Inc., IMCS, and DSM. |
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South Dakota – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 46th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in South Dakota are 25% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sanford Health, South Dakota State University, and Charles River. |
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Tennessee – $47,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 27th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Tennessee are 7% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, University of Tennessee – Knoxville, and The Princeton Review. |
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Texas – $49,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 20th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Texas are 3% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Princeton Review, University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M AgriLife, and Texas A&M Health Science Center. |
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Utah – $39,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 45th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Utah are 22% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Utah State University, University of Utah, Natural Grocers, and BioFire Diagnostics, LLC.. |
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Virginia – $51,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 13th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Virginia are 1% higher than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Unlisted Company, Virginia Tech, The Princeton Review, and The Tauri Group. |
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Vermont – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 32nd | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Vermont are 12% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Unlisted Company, University of Vermont, and State of Vermont. |
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Washington – $52,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 10th | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Washington State are 3% higher than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Washington State University, Seattle Genetics, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. |
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Wisconsin – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 33rd | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Wisconsin are 11% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Merck KGaA, EMD, Kerry, and University of Wisconsin-Madison. |
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West Virginia – $48,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 23rd | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in West Virginia are 6% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like West Virginia University, West Virginia Wesleyan College, The Princeton Review, and Marshall University. |
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Wyoming – $42,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 42nd | ||||||||||
Average Biochemistry salaries for job postings in Wyoming are 17% lower than average Biochemistry salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Natural Grocers and State of Wyoming. |
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