Molecular and Cellular Biologists Salary by State
The national median pay for molecular and cellular biologists is $98,920 a year. By state, it ranges from $63,290 in Missouri to $121,680 in Maryland. These figures are for the broader BLS group “Biological Scientists, All Other”.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $60,430
- 25th percentile
- $76,800
- Median
- $98,920
- 75th percentile
- $127,670
- Top 10%
- $168,010
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job (broader BLS group “Biological Scientists, All Other”). About 55,850 jobs.
Median pay in 49 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $121,680 | +23% | $75,240 | $195,000 | 4,970 |
| 2 | California | $113,530 | +15% | $69,770 | $189,710 | 11,880 |
| 3 | Delaware | $113,400 | +15% | $67,330 | $159,570 | Not published |
| 4 | Connecticut | $111,940 | +13% | $68,950 | $187,060 | 170 |
| 5 | Washington | $108,110 | +9% | $72,040 | $172,800 | 2,620 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $107,100 | +8% | $69,500 | $194,050 | 2,930 |
| 7 | Alaska | $106,870 | +8% | $71,390 | $130,270 | 370 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $104,750 | +6% | $72,010 | $161,660 | 540 |
| 9 | Maine | $104,570 | +6% | $70,680 | $142,650 | 340 |
| 10 | New York | $104,120 | +5% | $67,030 | $169,890 | 2,520 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $101,750 | +3% | $82,540 | $159,600 | 100 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $100,780 | +2% | $63,790 | $164,940 | 1,810 |
| 13 | North Carolina | $100,070 | +1% | $65,460 | $152,170 | 2,780 |
| 14 | Georgia | $96,820 | −2% | $66,380 | $122,570 | 1,230 |
| 15 | Virginia | $96,030 | −3% | $64,650 | $151,100 | 1,650 |
| 16 | Hawaii | $95,600 | −3% | $74,530 | $120,270 | 370 |
| 17 | Ohio | $95,560 | −3% | $52,120 | $157,920 | 610 |
| 18 | Colorado | $93,970 | −5% | $63,930 | $128,440 | 850 |
| 19 | Utah | $93,250 | −6% | $64,160 | $135,190 | 590 |
| 20 | Montana | $91,560 | −7% | $60,830 | $113,610 | 550 |
| 21 | South Carolina | $91,560 | −7% | $63,130 | $161,260 | 240 |
| 22 | Wyoming | $91,560 | −7% | $63,130 | $109,300 | 170 |
| 23 | Mississippi | $91,170 | −8% | $41,660 | $161,890 | 320 |
| 24 | Arizona | $90,290 | −9% | $62,420 | $114,580 | 760 |
| 25 | Alabama | $87,260 | −12% | $61,620 | $116,900 | 340 |
| 26 | Oregon | $86,260 | −13% | $60,380 | $120,950 | 700 |
| 27 | District of Columbia | $84,590 | −14% | $51,510 | $211,910 | 850 |
| 28 | West Virginia | $84,590 | −14% | $58,640 | $112,260 | 230 |
| 29 | Indiana | $84,570 | −15% | $55,240 | $173,010 | 640 |
| 30 | New Mexico | $84,120 | −15% | $50,960 | $110,470 | 420 |
| 31 | Florida | $83,780 | −15% | $43,680 | $119,540 | 1,920 |
| 32 | New Hampshire | $83,740 | −15% | $63,790 | $131,750 | 310 |
| 33 | Idaho | $83,320 | −16% | $49,940 | $109,300 | 430 |
| 34 | Nebraska | $82,770 | −16% | $51,290 | $132,830 | 240 |
| 35 | Iowa | $82,720 | −16% | $51,910 | $117,440 | 550 |
| 36 | Illinois | $82,640 | −16% | $56,520 | $134,530 | 1,300 |
| 37 | Michigan | $81,540 | −18% | $50,200 | $127,830 | 860 |
| 38 | Texas | $80,870 | −18% | $49,940 | $126,050 | 2,480 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $80,500 | −19% | $44,070 | $109,300 | 420 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $79,950 | −19% | $49,940 | $110,670 | 300 |
| 41 | Kentucky | $79,400 | −20% | $52,020 | $109,300 | 260 |
| 42 | Wisconsin | $78,480 | −21% | $61,760 | $108,120 | 740 |
| 43 | Vermont | $77,960 | −21% | $49,940 | $109,300 | 90 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $76,400 | −23% | $41,910 | $112,400 | 360 |
| 45 | Kansas | $76,400 | −23% | $51,150 | $130,100 | 760 |
| 46 | Minnesota | $76,400 | −23% | $44,600 | $119,160 | 750 |
| 47 | Nevada | $74,210 | −25% | $55,460 | $104,020 | 410 |
| 48 | South Dakota | $73,920 | −25% | $49,940 | $100,420 | 170 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $69,590 | −30% | $42,390 | $106,330 | 580 |
| 50 | Missouri | $63,290 | −36% | $42,540 | $122,050 | 1,120 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates for the broader group “Biological Scientists, All Other”. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists salary questions
Which state pays molecular and cellular biologists the most?
Maryland, with a median of $121,680 a year (+23% vs. the national median of $98,920). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays molecular and cellular biologists the least?
Missouri, with a median of $63,290 a year (−36% vs. national).
Where do most molecular and cellular biologists work?
California has the most jobs, about 11,880, with a median of $113,530.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.