Biochemistry is an interdisciplinary field of study that delves into the biological and chemical processes of living organisms.
With a degree in biochemistry, you can work in science fields such as toxicology, food science, forensic science, or pharmacology.
We are going to highlight a few of the highest-paying biochemistry jobs for you to consider if you’re a graduate looking for a job.
But before looking into the highest-paying biochemistry jobs, here are a few stats to keep in mind.
- The states with the highest employment for biochemists are California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
- States with the highest job concentration for biochemists are Massachusetts, New Jersey, Delaware, California, and Maine.
- The highest-paying states for biochemists are Montana, New Jersey, California, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
California is the state that ranks high in employment rate, job concentration as well as high pay rates.
Highest-paying biochemistry bobs
The highest-paying biochemistry jobs in the United States include clinical research associate, clinical scientist, pharmacologist, biochemical engineer, biomedical engineer, biomedical scientist, medical scientist, physician associate, and toxicologist.
Let’s now have a look at each of these biochemistry careers.
1. Biochemical engineer
This is one of the highest-paying biochemistry jobs with the potential of earning up to $150,000 a year. Biochemical engineers combine knowledge of biology, chemistry, and engineering to create products from raw materials. They are also tasked with finding solutions to problems that arise when materials and processes interact with the environment.
The mean annual salary for biochemical engineers in the United States is $118,850 though entry-level salaries range between $50,000 and $75,000 a year. The top-paid biochemical engineers earn more than $155,000 a year.
2. Analytical chemist
Analytical chemists investigate the chemical composition of substances, the aim being to identify and understand each substance and how it behaves in different settings or conditions. The roles of an analytical chemist vary depending on the work setting.
If you’re working in the pharmaceutical industry, for example, you will be involved throughout the drug development process. You will study the chemical and physical properties of drug substances and their formulations to determine their stability and quality.
Apart from being involved in the drug formulation and development process, an analytical chemist plays major roles in other areas, notably chemical or forensic analysis, product validation, quality control, and toxicology analysis.
According to PayScale, the median annual salary for analytical chemists is $58,309 with the best-paid 10% earning more than $90,000 a year, though some earn as high as $120,000 a year.
3. Clinical research associate (CRA)
The role of a clinical research associate (CRA) includes running clinical trials to test drugs for their effectiveness, benefits, and risks to ensure they are safe before they’re released onto the market. They work on existing and new drugs as an employee of a pharmaceutical company or a contract research organization (CRO) that works on behalf of a pharmaceutical company.
As a clinical research associate, you will be involved in all the stages of the clinical trial, which include identifying an investigational site, setting it up, initiating clinical trials, monitoring the progress, and closing down the trials. You will also be involved in trials on healthy humans or patients with a disease and conducting studies after the new drug has been launched to monitor safety and possible side effects.
The average annual salary for clinical research associates is $125,103 in the United States. The top earners receive more than $187,000 a year making it one of the highest-paying biochemistry jobs in the U.S.
4. Biomedical scientist
Biomedical scientists perform scientific tests on fluids and tissue samples to help clinicians diagnose and treat diseases. They also evaluate whether the treatments being used are effective or not. The roles of biomedical scientists vary depending on the work setting.
If you want to become a biomedical scientist, you’ll need to specialize in one of these four areas:
- Infection sciences: Includes virology and medical microbiology
- Blood sciences: Includes clinical chemistry, transfusion science, hematology, and immunology
- Cell sciences: Includes histopathology and cytology
- Genetics and molecular pathology: Includes genetics and molecular pathology
The national mean annual salary for biomedical scientists in the United States is $92,620. The highest-paid earn as high as $126,000 a year.
5. Pharmacologist
Pharmacologists investigate how drugs interact with biological systems and conduct research to predict the effect certain drugs might have on humans. As a pharmacologist, your research will help in multiple ways, including:
- Discover new and/or better medicines
- Improve the safety and effectiveness of current medicines
- Understand how people react to different drugs
- Understand why people react to different drugs differently
- Identify the reason why some drugs cause unwanted side effects or addictions
As a pharmacologist, you can choose to focus primarily on either human or animal medicines. The following types of pharmacologists exist depending on the area of specialization:
- Cardiovascular pharmacology
- Veterinary pharmacology
- Clinical pharmacology
- Psychopharmacology
- Neuropharmacology
This is one of the best-paying jobs in specialty chemicals with an average annual salary of $121,391and the highest-paid getting more than $132,000 a year.
6. Forensic scientist
Forensics is one of the best degrees for law enforcement careers. Forensic scientists help criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence such as fingerprints, blood splatters, DNA, tissue, hairs, tire marks, paint & glass fragments, flammable substances, or spent shell casings at crime scenes.
The evidence provided can either support the prosecution or defense in civil and/or criminal investigations. You will present your evidence as a written report, but in some cases, you might be required to attend court hearings to present the evidence in person as an expert witness.
Your role as a forensic scientist will most likely depend on the area of forensics in which you work. The main areas include:
- Chemistry: Relating to crimes against property, e.g. burglary and arson.
- Biology: Relating to crimes against people, e.g. assault, murder, or rape.
- Drugs and toxicology: Relating to restricted drugs, e.g. poison detection and DUI
With a degree in biochemistry, you can serve as a specialist in a specific area of expertise as a forensic scientist – biochemistry. Other forensic scientists specialize in ballistics, fingerprinting, or handwriting.
The median annual salary for forensic scientists is $66,850, though the top earners receive as high as $103,430 per year.
Here’s a short clip of Forensic Scientist Sarah Rambadt from Michigan State Police, Forensic Science Division (Grand Rapids Laboratory). Video Courtesy: Michigan State Police.
7. Toxicologist
Toxicologists are experts in toxic materials and chemicals who use their expertise to research and evaluate the safety of materials, chemicals, new medicines or drugs, natural substances, and radiation and their impact on human health, animal health, and the environment.
As a toxicologist, you can work for pharmaceutical, water, or chemical companies to evaluate the safety of their products. You can also work for government regulatory bodies such as Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The mean annual salary for toxicologists is $86,480 while the top-paid medical experts in this profession earn more than $131,000 a year, which also makes it one of the highest-paying biochemistry jobs in 2023.
8. Clinical scientist (biochemistry)
Clinical scientists with a degree in biochemistry analyze samples from patients’ blood, urine, or other bodily fluids to assist with the diagnosis, management, or treatment of diseases.
Clinical scientists often work in hospital labs and help interpret and validate the results of the samples. They also advise clinicians and general practitioners (GPs) on how to use the test results.
The average annual salary for clinical scientists in the United States is $124,347 with the highest-paid receiving about $148,000 a year.
9. Medicinal chemists
This is another high-paying biochemistry job that involves the use of a range of chemistry techniques, notably synthetic organic chemistry and data analysis tools to design and create new pharmaceutically active molecules to help fight particular diseases.
Medicinal chemists work closely with other scientists to understand and interpret the biological testing of compounds they have created. They then proceed to analyze the results to identify how to improve molecules until there is enough evidence that it works and is safe for use in people.
The median annual salary for medicinal chemists in the United States is $92,560 with the top earners receiving more than $124,000 a year.
10. Life science research scientist
Life science research scientists conduct research, either individually or as part of a team, that helps in developing new products, enhancing commercial applications, or broadening scientific understanding in general.
You can work in commercial or government labs, higher education institutions, or hospitals. Life science research scientists can specialize in a single area of life science such as:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Genomics
- Physiology
- Onology
- Bioinformatics
- Plant sciences
- Stem cell research
Although most of the research will center on medical sciences, there are instances when it will cross over to related disciplines, including biochemistry.
The average annual salary for life science research scientists is $103,500 with the top earners getting more than $151,000 a year.
11. Academic researcher
Academic researchers apply their knowledge, expertise, and skills developed through study and research to publish papers on their work in peer-reviewed, well-respected journals and write books and reports on their specialist areas of knowledge.
Academic researchers can also be involved in the teaching and supervision of university students. Most academic researchers are based in universities and research institutes.
Working as an academic researcher is one of the highest-paying biochemistry jobs in the United States, with the average annual salary being $64,103. The highest-paid professionals enjoy salaries as high as $156,500 a year.
12. Physician associate
Another high-paying biochemistry job is working as a physician associate. Physician associates are trained health professionals tasked with providing crucial support to doctors. They work under the direct supervision of physicians and carry out different tasks including diagnosis, examination, management, and care of patients.
Physician associates are also part of a medical team and can work in general practitioner surgeries or hospitals as part of a medical team. Bear in mind that physician associate and physician assistant are different roles and should not be confused or considered to mean the same thing.
The mean annual salary for physician associates in the U.S. is $92,485 with the best-paid in the industry earning as high as $200,000 a year.
13. Food scientist
As a food scientist, you will work in the agriculture industry studying and developing methods to improve the productivity and/or sustainability of crops and livestock. Most food scientists choose to specialize in a subfield, such as plants, soil, or livestock.
They can also work as food technologists to develop new food products, advanced methods of detecting contaminants, or packaging techniques. Your biochemistry degree can land you a well-paying job as a food scientist.
The mean annual base salary for food scientists in the United States is $68,897 with the highest earning of more than $107,000 a year.
14. College professor
A decent percentage of biochemistry majors become college professors in their areas of expertise. Apart from being one of the highest-paying biochemistry jobs in the United States, being a college professor gives you the noble responsibility to nurture and inspire the next generation of bioscientists.
The average salary for college professors is $70,427 with the top earners making as high as $178,000 a year.
15. Biomedical engineer
Biomedical engineers specialize in designing and constructing new technologies to be used in medicine and health care. It is a job that combines knowledge and expertise in biology, chemistry, engineering, and computer science.
If you already have a degree in biochemistry, pursuing a master’s degree in bioengineering or another closely related program will make it easy for you to get a job as a biomedical engineer.
The mean annual salary for biomedical engineers in the U.S. is $101,020 while the top earners get as high as $154,000 a year.
Biochemistry jobs salary for 2023
Here is a simplified mean annual average salaries for biochemistry jobs in the U.S. We have included the average salaries and the amount the highest earners get.
NOTE: The highest-paid biochemists can earn more than the “highest salary” indicated below. This figure indicates an average of those earning the most under each job title.
FAQs on highest-paying biochemistry jobs
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about high-paying biochemistry jobs and careers in the United States.
1. Which are the best states for biochemistry jobs?
The best states for biochemistry jobs in the U.S. are California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Texas. These states have the highest employment opportunities for biochemists, the highest job concentration, and provide the highest salaries for biochemists.
2. What jobs can I get with a bachelor’s in biochemistry?
Some of the jobs you can get with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry include analytical chemist, biomedical scientist, forensic scientist, data scientist, food scientist, bio & nanotechnologist, pharmacologist, and jobs in the energy, environment & health care industries.
3. Where do biochemists work?
Depending on one’s area of expertise, biochemistry graduates can work in research institutes, environmental agencies, forensic science services, universities, national health services, government departments, and public health laboratories. Biochemists can also work as employees of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food, water, and agricultural companies.
4. Do biochemists make good money?
Yes, biochemists are among the highest-paid graduates in the United States. Some biochemistry jobs pay as high as $200,000 a year even before you add bonuses. For example, physician associates with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry earn a mean annual salary of $121,377 with the best-paid in the industry making as high as $205,000 a year.
5. Is biochemistry in high demand?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for biochemists is projected to grow by approximately 4% between 2019 and 2029. The growth in the industry is likely to drive the demand for biochemists involved in biomedical research.
6. What is the future of biochemistry?
The future of biochemistry looks bright as the demand will have grown by 4% by 2029. The advancements in the biomedical industry also mean those with a specialization in cell biology, proteomics, genetics, organic chemistry, developmental chemistry, medical chemistry, biomedical methods, and research will be in high demand.
Final thoughts…
We have highlighted just a few of the highest-paying biochemistry jobs in the United States in 2023. It’s important to know that a degree in biochemistry opens job opportunities in dozens of scientific fields. Most companies in different fields often use different terms for a job you might qualify for.
Learn whether biochemistry is worth it as a career with this video by Shane Hummus.
