Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Biochemists and Biophysicists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $87,650 a year ($42.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,940 for the top 10%. That is 31% lower than the national median of $127,410. Pay here is 7% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $82,220. There are 0.76 biochemists and biophysicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $103,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for biochemists and biophysicists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| 25th percentile | $67,140 | $32.28 |
| Median | $87,650 | $42.14 |
| 75th percentile | $124,550 | $59.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $152,940 | $73.53 |
| Average (mean) | $103,530 | $49.77 |
Half of biochemists and biophysicists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,304.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,652.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,371.15 |
| Weekly | $1,685.58 |
| Hourly | $42.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $87,650 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $98,820 | 50 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $79,990 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for biochemists and biophysicists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $157,390 |
| California | $139,580 |
| Tennessee | $134,560 |
| Pennsylvania | $134,090 |
| Connecticut | $132,670 |
| Massachusetts | $131,600 |
| New Jersey | $122,620 |
| District of Columbia | $120,090 |
| New Hampshire | $109,770 |
| Michigan | $109,340 |
See Biochemists and Biophysicists pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,700 | $47.45 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $105,850 | $50.89 |
| Microbiologist | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| Epidemiologist | $82,990 | $39.90 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $86,570 | $41.62 |
| Conservation Scientist | $81,780 | $39.32 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $80,360 | $38.63 |
| Chemist | $81,580 | $39.22 |
| Biological Technician | $58,400 | $28.08 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,840 | $39.83 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $81,420 | $39.15 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,500 | $31.01 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $128,380 | $61.72 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a biochemists and biophysicists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for biochemists and biophysicists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $87,650 a year, or $42.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid biochemists and biophysicists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of biochemists and biophysicists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $152,940 a year. The top 25% earn $124,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for biochemists and biophysicists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,250 a year, and a quarter of biochemists and biophysicists earn $67,140 or less.
How many biochemists and biophysicists work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 260 biochemists and biophysicists are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.