How to Become a Biochemist
Study the chemistry of living systems, driving discoveries in medicine, biotech, and agriculture. It typically requires a doctoral degree, with a median salary of $127,410 per year and faster than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$127,410/yr
Middle half
$95,000 to $163,460
Job growth
Faster than average
Openings / yr
2,900
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Laboratory Research
- Protein Analysis
- Science
- Data Analysis
- Scientific Writing
Helpful certifications
- PhD (research track)
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
8/100
Work-life balance
52/100
Stress level
47/100
Related careers
- Physicist$172,250 median
- Natural Sciences Manager$167,220 median
- Astronomer$128,820 median
- Biostatistician$105,650 median
- Statistician$105,650 median
- Biomedical Scientist / Researcher$103,410 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Biochemist make?
The median pay for a Biochemist is $127,410 a year, and the middle half of workers earn between $95,000 and $163,460 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). That covers everyone in the job, not only people starting out, so newer workers sit toward the lower end.
What degree do you need to become a Biochemist?
The usual entry point is a doctoral degree. Common majors are Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, and Molecular Biology.
Is Biochemist a growing field?
Projected job growth for this role from 2024 to 2034 is faster than average (BLS projections via O*NET), with roughly 2,900 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Biochemist use most?
Common skills for this role are Laboratory Research, Protein Analysis, Science, Data Analysis, and Scientific Writing.
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Take the major quizWhere these pay figures come from
Career pay is the annual wage of everyone working in that occupation, not only recent graduates, so it includes people who have done the job for decades. The middle half is the 25th to the 75th percentile. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).
All figures are national. What you earn depends on where you work, who you work for, and how far you take the degree.
Job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).