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Occupation · SOC 19-1021

Biochemists and Biophysicists

There are 33,830 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $127,410 a year. The most jobs are in Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH.

ScienceTypical education: Doctoral or professional degree
33,830
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$127,410
Median pay a year
Middle half: $95,000–$163,460
2,900
Annual openings
10-year change: +12.3%
3,068
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+15.4% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 49 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $131,550 · LCA filings 44713,370$131,550447
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $134,090 · LCA filings 1123,050$134,090112
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $109,620 · LCA filings 2312,200$109,620231
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $165,050 · LCA filings 3291,380$165,050329
Worcester, MAMedian pay $125,420 · LCA filings 161,060$125,42016
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAMedian pay $121,740 · LCA filings 155710$121,740155
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $131,700 · LCA filings 99580$131,70099
Trenton–Princeton, NJMedian pay $124,300 · LCA filings 20520$124,30020
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $103,660 · LCA filings 113490$103,660113
Boulder, COMedian pay $140,710 · LCA filings 11390$140,71011

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Jacksonville, FLEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$174,880400
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 1,380 · LCA filings 329$165,0501,380329
Knoxville, TNEmployment 30 · LCA filings 7$149,140307
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLEmployment 50 · LCA filings 26$145,5505026
Boulder, COEmployment 390 · LCA filings 11$140,71039011

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 124 · Employment 13,37044712413,370
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 85 · Employment 1,380329851,380
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 44 · Employment 2,200231442,200
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAEmployers with LCA filings 32 · Employment 71015532710
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXEmployers with LCA filings 10 · Employment 16013110160

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $114,795 · Level III $138,882 · Level IV $162,947$90,730$114,795$138,882$162,947
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $110,552 · Level III $132,558 · Level IV $154,544$88,566$110,552$132,558$154,544
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $102,669 · Level III $119,371 · Level IV $136,074$85,966$102,669$119,371$136,074
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $141,648 · Level III $168,376 · Level IV $195,125$114,899$141,648$168,376$195,125
Worcester, MALevel II $111,322 · Level III $134,638 · Level IV $157,955$88,005$111,322$134,638$157,955
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CALevel II $104,270 · Level III $126,693 · Level IV $149,136$81,827$104,270$126,693$149,136
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $115,357 · Level III $139,152 · Level IV $162,926$91,582$115,357$139,152$162,926
Trenton–Princeton, NJLevel II $102,586 · Level III $120,307 · Level IV $138,050$84,843$102,586$120,307$138,050
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $87,235 · Level III $108,430 · Level IV $129,626$66,040$87,235$108,430$129,626
Boulder, COLevel II $125,819 · Level III $153,234 · Level IV $180,627$98,426$125,819$153,234$180,627
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $88,254 · Level III $100,360 · Level IV $112,466$76,149$88,254$100,360$112,466

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyCIP 26.02 · Usually needs more educationSTEM OPT · up to 36 months1,304STEM OPT · up to 36 months
ChemistryCIP 40.05STEM OPT · up to 36 months2,744STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical SciencesCIP 26.04STEM OPT · up to 36 months619STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Biochemists and Biophysicists in every metro area

All 49 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology