Biochemists and Biophysicists Salary
In Massachusetts, biochemists and biophysicists earn $131,600 at the median, or about $63.27 an hour. The range runs from $80K at the entry level to $208K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.09), that's roughly $131,482 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,347/month, or 29.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Massachusetts. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $132K get you in Massachusetts?
About biochemists and biophysicists
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What this looks like in Massachusetts
Biochemists and biophysicists pay in Massachusetts tracks closely to the national median, $132K locally vs. $127K nationwide, a 3% difference. Rent runs $2,347/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 100.09) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Massachusetts
Entry-level biochemists and biophysicists (10th percentile) start around $80K. Mid-career wages sit at $132K. Top earners bring in $208K or more, a $129K spread from bottom to top.
Biochemists and Biophysicists salary by metro in Massachusetts
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | $132K | -0% | 13,370 |
| Worcester | $125K | -5% | 1,060 |
Compare to other states
Track biochemists and biophysicists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Massachusetts numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a biochemists and biophysicist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Massachusetts?
Yes — at the median salary of $132K, rent takes 29.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,347/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for biochemists and biophysicists in Massachusetts?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new biochemists and biophysicists typically earn — is $80K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,774/month. At HUD’s $2,347/month FMR, rent would take 49% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is biochemists and biophysicist a high-paying job in Massachusetts?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $132K locally vs. $127K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does Massachusetts compare to the national average for biochemists and biophysicists?
Massachusetts pays $132K median vs. the U.S. average of $127K — that’s +3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.09), the purchasing-power equivalent is $131K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do biochemists and biophysicists make in Massachusetts?
The median is $131,600 a year, that works out to about $63 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $79,560, and experienced biochemists and biophysicists can clear $208,130. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $132K enough to live in Massachusetts?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,844/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,347/month, which eats 29.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a biochemists and biophysicists salary go in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has a Regional Price Parity of 100.09 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median biochemists and biophysicists salary is worth about $131,482 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do biochemists and biophysicists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.