Molecular and Cellular Biologists earn a median of $98,920 per year ($47.56/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 4.7% through 2035, with about 4,300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 19-1029
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Molecular and Cellular Biologist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $98,920a year, or $47.56/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $60KTop 10% $168K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +4.7%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+4.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +4.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 4,30059,600 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202559.6K
- Projected 203562.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 59.6K Projected 2035 62.4K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Bachelor's34.6%
- Master's7.7%
- Doctorate23.1%
- Post-doctoral training34.6%
Highest education held by molecular and cellular biologists Segment Value Bachelor's 34.6% Master's 7.7% Doctorate 23.1% Post-doctoral training 34.6%
Also advertised as: Molecular Biologist, Research Scientist.
Pay
How much do Molecular and Cellular Biologists make?
Every molecular and cellular biologist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$98,920
Middle half earn $76,800 to $127,670
- 10th
- $60,430
- 25th
- $76,800
- 75th
- $127,670
- 90th
- $168,010
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $60,430 |
| 25th | $76,800 |
| Median | $98,920 |
| 75th | $127,670 |
| 90th | $168,010 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $98,920
- Median hourly wage
- $47.56/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $106,330
- People employed
- 55,850
Versus all US occupations
At $98,920, Molecular and Cellular Biologists earn 94% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $47,940 a year.
Versus life, physical, and social science occupations
Inside the Life, Physical, and Social Science group, where the middle occupation pays $82,220, this is 20% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $168,010 or more while the bottom 10% earn $60,430, a gap of 2.8×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 71% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Maryland pays the most at $121,680, and still leads at $115,931 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Molecular and Cellular Biologists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Maryland | $121,680 | $115,931 | 4,970 |
| 2California | $113,530 | $102,538 | 11,880 |
| 3Delaware | $113,400 | $113,618 | N/A |
| 4Connecticut | $111,940 | $108,040 | 170 |
| 5Washington | $108,110 | $101,025 | 2,620 |
| 6Massachusetts | $107,100 | $101,270 | 2,930 |
| 7Alaska | $106,870 | $104,407 | 370 |
| 8New Jersey | $104,750 | $96,273 | 540 |
| 9Maine | $104,570 | $107,749 | 340 |
| 10New York | $104,120 | $96,478 | 2,520 |
Job outlook
Is Molecular and Cellular Biologist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +4.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | +4.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Molecular and Cellular Biologists to change 4.7% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 2,800 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 4,300 openings are projected each year, 7.2% of the 59,600 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Molecular and Cellular Biologist
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as molecular and cellular biologists.
- Bachelor's Degree34.6%
- Post-Doctoral Training34.6%
- Doctoral Degree23.1%
- Master's Degree7.7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 34.6% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 34.6% |
| Doctoral Degree | 23.1% |
| Master's Degree | 7.7% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Molecular and Cellular Biologist do?
Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.
Day-to-day tasks
- Maintain accurate laboratory records and data.
- Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results.
- Write grant applications to obtain funding.
- Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.
- Conduct research on cell organization and function, including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation.
- Prepare or review reports, manuscripts, or meeting presentations.
- Instruct undergraduate and graduate students within the areas of cellular or molecular biology.
- Direct, coordinate, organize, or prioritize biological laboratory activities.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Science4.8
- Reading Comprehension4.4
- Writing4.3
- Critical Thinking4.1
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Active Learning3.9
- Learning Strategies3.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Science | 4.8 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.4 |
| Writing | 4.3 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving4.0
- Judgment and Decision Making4.0
- Instructing3.8
- Social Perceptiveness3.3
- Coordination3.1
- Persuasion3.1
- Operations Analysis3.1
- Time Management3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.0 |
| Instructing | 3.8 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Persuasion | 3.1 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.1 |
| Time Management | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- File versioning software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Molecular and Cellular Biologist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Molecular and Cellular Biologist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 7 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Investigative6.7
- Conventional5.1
- Realistic5.0
- Enterprising2.6
- Social2.3
- Artistic1.9
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Molecular and Cellular Biologist
O*NET related occupations
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Architecture and Engineering
- Educational Instruction and Library
More life, physical, and social science careers
Median annual pay, with molecular and cellular biologists highlighted
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist$193,950
- Physicist$172,250
- Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Molecular and Cellular Biologist$98,920
- Chemist$91,240
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health$82,220
- Conservation Scientist$73,010
- Chemical Technician$60,390
- Biological Technician$57,510
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 |
| Physicist | $172,250 |
| Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologist | $98,920 |
| Chemist | $91,240 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Molecular and Cellular Biologist appears on
Questions
Molecular and Cellular Biologist: frequently asked questions
How much do Molecular and Cellular Biologists make?
Molecular and Cellular Biologists earn a median of $98,920 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 94% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $47.56/hr. The middle half earn between $76,800 and $127,670. The top 10% earn $168,010 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Molecular and Cellular Biologist?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Molecular and Cellular Biologists, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as considerable preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 34.6% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Molecular and Cellular Biologist a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4.7% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 4,300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Molecular and Cellular Biologist do?
Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization. A core O*NET task: maintain accurate laboratory records and data. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Data base user interface and query software, File versioning software.
Which states pay Molecular and Cellular Biologists the most?
The highest state medians for Molecular and Cellular Biologists are Maryland ($121,680), California ($113,530), Delaware ($113,400) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Molecular and Cellular Biologist?
O*NET scores Molecular and Cellular Biologists highest on the Investigative, Conventional and Realistic interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, INTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.