Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Biochemists and Biophysicists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $79,550 a year ($38.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,640 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $127,410. Pay here is 20% lower than the Washington statewide median of $98,840. There are 0.09 biochemists and biophysicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.39). The average (mean) salary is $92,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for biochemists and biophysicists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,010 | $30.78 |
| 25th percentile | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Median | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| 75th percentile | $102,320 | $49.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,640 | $60.41 |
| Average (mean) | $92,400 | $44.43 |
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 | $6,629.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,314.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,059.62 |
| Weekly | $1,529.81 |
| Hourly | $38.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,550 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,430 | $50.69 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,580 | $52.20 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $96,450 | $46.37 |
| Epidemiologist | $123,970 | $59.60 |
| Conservation Scientist | $82,380 | $39.61 |
| Forester | $86,310 | $41.50 |
| Microbiologist | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $103,000 | $49.52 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $83,390 | $40.09 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Biological Technician | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $109,500 | $52.65 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $108,040 | $51.94 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for biochemists and biophysicists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $79,550 a year, or $38.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid biochemists and biophysicists make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of biochemists and biophysicists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $125,640 a year. The top 25% earn $102,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for biochemists and biophysicists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,010 a year, and a quarter of biochemists and biophysicists earn $79,550 or less.
How many biochemists and biophysicists work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 180 biochemists and biophysicists are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.