Biological Scientists, All Other
Biological Scientists, All Other (SOC 19-1029) earn a median $98,920 a year ($47.56 an hour) in the United States, with 55,850 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Maryland.
What biological scientists, all other do
Biological scientists, all other, is the residual category for biological scientists whose work does not fall under a more specific life science classification, such as microbiologists, zoologists and wildlife biologists, biochemists, animal scientists, or soil and plant scientists. The people counted here study living organisms and their life processes, whether through laboratory research, field sampling, or the analysis of biological data. Titles reported to O*NET under this heading include general biologists, astrobiologists, algologists, and bioanalysts, which gives a sense of the range, from the study of algae to the search for life beyond Earth. Because the category is a catch-all, the tasks, the education required, and the pay depend on the specialty and the employer, and the data used for this page do not offer a single set of tasks or a single education level for the group. In SOC terms, the group covers any biological scientist who has no more specific code.
Also called: Biologist, Astrobiologist, Algologist, Bioanalyst, Bioassayist.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $29.05 | $36.92 | $47.56 | $61.38 | $80.77 | $51.12 | 55,850 |
| Annual | $60,430 | $76,800 | $98,920 | $127,670 | $168,010 | $106,330 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where biological scientists, all other earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Maryland | Hourly | $36.17 | $47.45 | $58.50 | $69.66 | $93.75 | $60.69 | 4,970 | 1.80 | 5.01 |
| Annual | $75,240 | $98,700 | $121,680 | $144,890 | $195,000 | $126,240 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $33.54 | $41.39 | $54.58 | $74.11 | $91.21 | $59.54 | 11,880 | 0.65 | 1.82 |
| Annual | $69,770 | $86,090 | $113,530 | $154,150 | $189,710 | $123,840 | ||||
| Delaware | Hourly | $32.37 | $39.17 | $54.52 | $72.94 | $76.72 | $54.49 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $67,330 | $81,470 | $113,400 | $151,710 | $159,570 | $113,330 | ||||
| Connecticut | Hourly | $33.15 | $40.14 | $53.82 | $66.78 | $89.93 | $57.61 | 170 | 0.10 | 0.28 |
| Annual | $68,950 | $83,480 | $111,940 | $138,900 | $187,060 | $119,830 | ||||
| Washington | Hourly | $34.64 | $39.95 | $51.97 | $63.36 | $83.08 | $54.84 | 2,620 | 0.74 | 2.05 |
| Annual | $72,040 | $83,100 | $108,110 | $131,780 | $172,800 | $114,060 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $33.54 | $41.39 | $54.58 | $74.11 | $91.21 | $59.54 | 11,880 | 0.65 | 1.82 |
| Annual | $69,770 | $86,090 | $113,530 | $154,150 | $189,710 | $123,840 | ||||
| Maryland | Hourly | $36.17 | $47.45 | $58.50 | $69.66 | $93.75 | $60.69 | 4,970 | 1.80 | 5.01 |
| Annual | $75,240 | $98,700 | $121,680 | $144,890 | $195,000 | $126,240 | ||||
| Massachusetts | Hourly | $33.41 | $40.57 | $51.49 | $77.97 | $93.29 | $59.10 | 2,930 | 0.81 | 2.24 |
| Annual | $69,500 | $84,390 | $107,100 | $162,180 | $194,050 | $122,930 | ||||
| North Carolina | Hourly | $31.47 | $38.44 | $48.11 | $59.86 | $73.16 | $50.76 | 2,780 | 0.56 | 1.56 |
| Annual | $65,460 | $79,960 | $100,070 | $124,510 | $152,170 | $105,590 | ||||
| Washington | Hourly | $34.64 | $39.95 | $51.97 | $63.36 | $83.08 | $54.84 | 2,620 | 0.74 | 2.05 |
| Annual | $72,040 | $83,100 | $108,110 | $131,780 | $172,800 | $114,060 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $40.48 | $49.18 | $66.42 | $83.72 | $103.78 | $71.16 | 4,280 | 1.80 | 5.01 |
| Annual | $84,200 | $102,300 | $138,160 | $174,140 | $215,860 | $148,020 | ||||
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | Hourly | $39.08 | $48.88 | $64.32 | $82.06 | $104.44 | $68.41 | 610 | 0.54 | 1.49 |
| Annual | $81,280 | $101,670 | $133,790 | $170,690 | $217,240 | $142,300 | ||||
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | Hourly | $30.47 | $49.01 | $61.04 | $73.11 | $88.05 | $60.66 | 70 | 0.19 | 0.53 |
| Annual | $63,380 | $101,940 | $126,960 | $152,070 | $183,140 | $126,160 | ||||
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | Hourly | $30.99 | $44.25 | $60.02 | $69.28 | $90.75 | $59.05 | 90 | 0.46 | 1.29 |
| Annual | $64,460 | $92,040 | $124,840 | $144,090 | $188,760 | $122,820 | ||||
| Portland-South Portland, ME | Hourly | $40.26 | $49.10 | $57.42 | $68.58 | $83.94 | $61.07 | 60 | 0.22 | 0.60 |
| Annual | $83,740 | $102,130 | $119,430 | $142,650 | $174,590 | $127,030 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Hourly | $31.00 | $41.24 | $55.25 | $70.36 | $93.84 | $59.49 | 5,720 | 1.82 | 5.08 |
| Annual | $64,480 | $85,770 | $114,920 | $146,350 | $195,190 | $123,730 | ||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $40.48 | $49.18 | $66.42 | $83.72 | $103.78 | $71.16 | 4,280 | 1.80 | 5.01 |
| Annual | $84,200 | $102,300 | $138,160 | $174,140 | $215,860 | $148,020 | ||||
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | Hourly | $34.38 | $40.68 | $53.08 | $78.38 | $89.62 | $59.67 | 2,630 | 0.97 | 2.71 |
| Annual | $71,510 | $84,610 | $110,410 | $163,030 | $186,410 | $124,120 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $29.39 | $38.29 | $46.34 | $61.54 | $75.93 | $50.53 | 2,320 | 0.37 | 1.03 |
| Annual | $61,120 | $79,640 | $96,380 | $127,990 | $157,930 | $105,100 | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $36.99 | $46.03 | $53.55 | $65.27 | $82.13 | $59.39 | 1,970 | 0.21 | 0.58 |
| Annual | $76,930 | $95,740 | $111,380 | $135,760 | $170,830 | $123,520 | ||||
Top industries employing biological scientists, all other
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) employ 35.3% of biological scientists, all other nationally (19,700 jobs) at a median $99,590 a year ($47.88 an hour), followed by Scientific Research and Development Services (28.4%) and Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (8.9%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999100 | 19,700 | 35.3% | $99,590 | $47.88 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services NAICS 541700 | 15,870 | 28.4% | $107,540 | $51.70 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools NAICS 611300 | 4,990 | 8.9% | $77,450 | $37.24 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services NAICS 541600 | 2,880 | 5.2% | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing NAICS 325400 | 2,190 | 3.9% | $106,880 | $51.39 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (55,850). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $82,530 for biological scientists, all other in May 2021 and $98,920 in May 2025, with employment of 47,050 and 55,850.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $82,530 | $39.68 | 47,050 |
| May 2022 | $87,300 | $41.97 | 55,300 |
| May 2023 | $91,100 | $43.80 | 61,220 |
| May 2024 | $93,330 | $44.87 | 59,710 |
| May 2025 | $98,920 | $47.56 | 55,850 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
50 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland profile | $58.50 | $121,680 | $75,240 | $195,000 | 4,970 | 1.80 | 5.01 |
| 2 | California profile | $54.58 | $113,530 | $69,770 | $189,710 | 11,880 | 0.65 | 1.82 |
| 3 | Delaware profile | $54.52 | $113,400 | $67,330 | $159,570 | ** | ** | ** |
| 4 | Connecticut profile | $53.82 | $111,940 | $68,950 | $187,060 | 170 | 0.10 | 0.28 |
| 5 | Washington profile | $51.97 | $108,110 | $72,040 | $172,800 | 2,620 | 0.74 | 2.05 |
| 6 | Massachusetts profile | $51.49 | $107,100 | $69,500 | $194,050 | 2,930 | 0.81 | 2.24 |
| 7 | Alaska profile | $51.38 | $106,870 | $71,390 | $130,270 | 370 | 1.13 | 3.14 |
| 8 | New Jersey profile | $50.36 | $104,750 | $72,010 | $161,660 | 540 | 0.13 | 0.35 |
| 9 | Maine profile | $50.28 | $104,570 | $70,680 | $142,650 | 340 | 0.54 | 1.49 |
| 10 | New York profile | $50.06 | $104,120 | $67,030 | $169,890 | 2,520 | 0.26 | 0.72 |
| 11 | Rhode Island profile | $48.92 | $101,750 | $82,540 | $159,600 | 100 | 0.20 | 0.56 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania profile | $48.45 | $100,780 | $63,790 | $164,940 | 1,810 | 0.30 | 0.83 |
| 13 | North Carolina profile | $48.11 | $100,070 | $65,460 | $152,170 | 2,780 | 0.56 | 1.56 |
| 14 | Georgia profile | $46.55 | $96,820 | $66,380 | $122,570 | 1,230 | 0.25 | 0.70 |
| 15 | Virginia profile | $46.17 | $96,030 | $64,650 | $151,100 | 1,650 | 0.40 | 1.11 |
| 16 | Hawaii profile | $45.96 | $95,600 | $74,530 | $120,270 | 370 | 0.59 | 1.63 |
| 17 | Ohio profile | $45.94 | $95,560 | $52,120 | $157,920 | 610 | 0.11 | 0.31 |
| 18 | Colorado profile | $45.18 | $93,970 | $63,930 | $128,440 | 850 | 0.30 | 0.82 |
| 19 | Utah profile | $44.83 | $93,250 | $64,160 | $135,190 | 590 | 0.34 | 0.95 |
| 20 | Montana profile | $44.02 | $91,560 | $60,830 | $113,610 | 550 | 1.08 | 3.02 |
| 21 | South Carolina profile | $44.02 | $91,560 | $63,130 | $161,260 | 240 | 0.10 | 0.29 |
| 22 | Wyoming profile | $44.02 | $91,560 | $63,130 | $109,300 | 170 | 0.61 | 1.70 |
| 23 | Mississippi profile | $43.83 | $91,170 | $41,660 | $161,890 | 320 | 0.27 | 0.76 |
| 24 | Arizona profile | $43.41 | $90,290 | $62,420 | $114,580 | 760 | 0.23 | 0.65 |
| 25 | Alabama profile | $41.95 | $87,260 | $61,620 | $116,900 | 340 | 0.16 | 0.44 |
| 26 | Oregon profile | $41.47 | $86,260 | $60,380 | $120,950 | 700 | 0.36 | 0.99 |
| 27 | District of Columbia profile | $40.67 | $84,590 | $51,510 | $211,910 | 850 | 1.22 | 3.39 |
| 28 | West Virginia profile | $40.67 | $84,590 | $58,640 | $112,260 | 230 | 0.33 | 0.91 |
| 29 | Indiana profile | $40.66 | $84,570 | $55,240 | $173,010 | 640 | 0.20 | 0.56 |
| 30 | New Mexico profile | $40.44 | $84,120 | $50,960 | $110,470 | 420 | 0.48 | 1.34 |
| 31 | Florida profile | $40.28 | $83,780 | $43,680 | $119,540 | 1,920 | 0.19 | 0.54 |
| 32 | New Hampshire profile | $40.26 | $83,740 | $63,790 | $131,750 | 310 | 0.46 | 1.28 |
| 33 | Idaho profile | $40.06 | $83,320 | $49,940 | $109,300 | 430 | 0.51 | 1.41 |
| 34 | Nebraska profile | $39.79 | $82,770 | $51,290 | $132,830 | 240 | 0.23 | 0.65 |
| 35 | Iowa profile | $39.77 | $82,720 | $51,910 | $117,440 | 550 | 0.35 | 0.98 |
| 36 | Illinois profile | $39.73 | $82,640 | $56,520 | $134,530 | 1,300 | 0.21 | 0.59 |
| 37 | Michigan profile | $39.20 | $81,540 | $50,200 | $127,830 | 860 | 0.20 | 0.54 |
| 38 | Texas profile | $38.88 | $80,870 | $49,940 | $126,050 | 2,480 | 0.18 | 0.49 |
| 39 | Tennessee profile | $38.70 | $80,500 | $44,070 | $109,300 | 420 | 0.13 | 0.35 |
| 40 | Oklahoma profile | $38.44 | $79,950 | $49,940 | $110,670 | 300 | 0.17 | 0.49 |
| 41 | Kentucky profile | $38.18 | $79,400 | $52,020 | $109,300 | 260 | 0.13 | 0.36 |
| 42 | Wisconsin profile | $37.73 | $78,480 | $61,760 | $108,120 | 740 | 0.25 | 0.70 |
| 43 | Vermont profile | $37.48 | $77,960 | $49,940 | $109,300 | 90 | 0.30 | 0.84 |
| 44 | Arkansas profile | $36.73 | $76,400 | $41,910 | $112,400 | 360 | 0.28 | 0.78 |
| 45 | Kansas profile | $36.73 | $76,400 | $51,150 | $130,100 | 760 | 0.53 | 1.47 |
| 46 | Minnesota profile | $36.73 | $76,400 | $44,600 | $119,160 | 750 | 0.25 | 0.71 |
| 47 | Nevada profile | $35.68 | $74,210 | $55,460 | $104,020 | 410 | 0.27 | 0.74 |
| 48 | South Dakota profile | $35.54 | $73,920 | $49,940 | $100,420 | 170 | 0.37 | 1.03 |
| 49 | Louisiana profile | $33.46 | $69,590 | $42,390 | $106,330 | 580 | 0.30 | 0.83 |
| 50 | Missouri profile | $30.43 | $63,290 | $42,540 | $122,050 | 1,120 | 0.38 | 1.07 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (19-1020), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 19-1029 Biological Scientists, All Other.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 19-1029, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 19-1029.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.