Biochemists and Biophysicists Salary
In Virginia, biochemists and biophysicists earn $105,780 at the median, or about $50.86 an hour. The range runs from $75K at the entry level to $222K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.79), which stretches that salary to about $111,594 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,646/month, or 24.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Virginia. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $106K get you in Virginia?
About biochemists and biophysicists
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What this looks like in Virginia
Pay for biochemists and biophysicists in Virginia runs about 17% below the U.S. median of $127K. Rent runs $1,646/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.79 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia
Entry-level biochemists and biophysicists (10th percentile) start around $75K. Mid-career wages sit at $106K. Top earners bring in $222K or more, a $147K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track biochemists and biophysicists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a biochemists and biophysicist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Virginia?
Yes — at the median salary of $106K, rent takes 25.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,646/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for biochemists and biophysicists in Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new biochemists and biophysicists typically earn — is $75K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,478/month. At HUD’s $1,646/month FMR, rent would take 37% 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 Virginia?
Local pay runs 17% below the national median — $106K here vs. $127K nationally. Cost of living is 5% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Virginia compare to the national average for biochemists and biophysicists?
Virginia pays $106K median vs. the U.S. average of $127K — that’s -17%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.79), the purchasing-power equivalent is $112K — below the national median.
How much do biochemists and biophysicists make in Virginia?
The median is $105,780 a year, that works out to about $51 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $74,640, and experienced biochemists and biophysicists can clear $221,880. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $106K enough to live in Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,436/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,646/month, which eats 25.6% 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 Virginia?
Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 94.79 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median biochemists and biophysicists salary is worth about $111,594 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.