Biochemists and Biophysicists
Study the chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena. May conduct research to further understanding of the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and heredity. May determine the effects of foods, drugs, serums, hormones, and other substances on tissues and vital processes of living organisms.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $64,780 | $31.14 | ||
| Arizona | 110 | $97,350 | $46.80 | |
| California | 7,460 | $117,220 | $56.36 | |
| Colorado | 1,020 | $118,920 | $57.17 | |
| Connecticut | 80 | $106,220 | $51.07 | |
| Delaware | 420 | $98,290 | $47.26 | |
| District of Columbia | $95,570 | $45.95 | ||
| Florida | 360 | $85,980 | $41.34 | |
| Georgia | 190 | $66,320 | $31.89 | |
| Idaho | $109,000 | $52.40 | ||
| Illinois | 190 | $83,050 | $39.93 | |
| Indiana | 160 | $98,800 | $47.50 | |
| Kentucky | 130 | $92,200 | $44.33 | |
| Louisiana | 100 | $75,390 | $36.24 | |
| Maine | 400 | $80,060 | $38.49 | |
| Maryland | 740 | $79,920 | $38.42 | |
| Massachusetts | 8,190 | $134,090 | $64.46 | |
| Michigan | 290 | $97,340 | $46.80 | |
| Minnesota | 1,240 | $100,070 | $48.11 | |
| Missouri | 250 | $74,850 | $35.98 | |
| Montana | 40 | $91,950 | $44.21 | |
| Nebraska | 50 | $93,490 | $44.95 | |
| New Hampshire | $95,010 | $45.68 | ||
| New Jersey | 3,160 | $118,640 | $57.04 | |
| New York | 1,260 | $92,280 | $44.37 | |
| North Carolina | 640 | $95,470 | $45.90 | |
| Ohio | 200 | $85,100 | $40.91 | |
| Oregon | 170 | $118,320 | $56.89 | |
| Pennsylvania | 2,350 | $110,790 | $53.27 | |
| Rhode Island | 60 | $104,060 | $50.03 | |
| South Carolina | 30 | $63,080 | $30.33 | |
| South Dakota | $64,060 | $30.80 | ||
| Tennessee | 590 | $89,040 | $42.81 | |
| Texas | 830 | $70,970 | $34.12 | |
| Utah | 280 | $73,670 | $35.42 | |
| Virginia | $131,160 | $63.06 | ||
| Washington | 330 | $88,500 | $42.55 | |
| West Virginia | 50 | $65,940 | $31.70 | |
| Wisconsin | $80,230 | $38.57 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the chemistry of living systems, their fundamental chemical substances and reactions, and their chemical pathways and information transfer systems, with particular reference to carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Includes instruction in bio-organic chemistry, protein chemistry, bioanalytical chemistry, bioseparations, regulatory biochemistry, enzymology, hormonal chemistry, calorimetry, and research methods and equipment operation.
A program that focuses on the application of physics principles to the scientific study of the mechanisms of biological processes and assemblies at all levels of complexity. Includes instruction in research methods and equipment operation and applications to subjects such as bioenergetics, biophysical theory and modeling, electrophysics, membrane biology, channels, receptors and transporters, contractility and muscle function, protein shaping and folding, molecular and supramolecular structures and assemblies, and computational science.
A program that focuses on the scientific relationship of physiological function to the structure and actions of macromolecules and supramolecular assemblies such as multienzyme complexes, membranes, and viruses. Includes instruction in the chemical mechanisms of regulation and catalysis, protein synthesis and other syntheses, and biomolecular chemical reactions.
A scientific program that focuses on the dynamics and interactions of macromolecules and other three-dimensional ultrastructures, the architecture of supramolecular structures, and energy transfer in biomolecular systems. Includes instruction in energy transduction, structural dynamics, mechanisms of electron and proton transfer in biological systems, bioinformatics, automated analysis, and specialized research techniques.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of submolecular and molecular components and assemblies of living systems and how they are organized into functional units such as cells and anatomic tissues. Includes instruction in glycoprotein, carbohydrate, protein, and nucleic acid structures and chemistry; cytoskeletal structure; nuclear and intracellular structures; molecular recognition; molecular chaperones; transcription and folding; multicellular organization; microtubules and microfilaments; cell differentiation; immunophysics; and DNA sequencing.
A program of study that combines the biological sub-disciplines of biochemistry and molecular biology. Includes instruction in general biology, general and organic chemistry, physics, biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, genetics, and cellular biology.
Any instructional program in cell/cellular biology and anatomical sciences not listed above.
A program of study that focuses on the biological, anatomical, and mechanical structure and function of the mechanical aspects of biological systems. Includes courses in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, mechanics, measurement and instrumentation, and research methods.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the formulation of medicinal substances into product vehicles capable of being stored, transported, and then introduced into the patient and behaving in ways optimal to therapeutic interaction. Includes instruction in statistics, biopharmaceutics, drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, physical pharmacy, pharmacological analysis, drug design and development, pharmacological biotechnology, chemical separations, spectroscopy, drug-host interactions, immunology, quantitative drug measurement, enzymatic transformations, and metabolic excretion.
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$113,460 per yearNational average salaryVery HighJob growth rate
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Doctoral or professional degreeTypical education requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as biochemists and biophysicists.
- Less than high school 0%
- High school graduate 0%
- College dropout 0%
- Associate’s degree 0%
- Bachelor’s degree 46%
- Master’s degree 31%
- Doctorate degree 23%
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