Biochemists and Biophysicists Salary
In Washington, biochemists and biophysicists earn $98,840 at the median, or about $47.52 an hour. The range runs from $64K at the entry level to $128K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $96,892 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 27.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $99K get you in Washington?
About biochemists and biophysicists
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What this looks like in Washington
Pay for biochemists and biophysicists in Washington runs about 22% below the U.S. median of $127K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level biochemists and biophysicists (10th percentile) start around $64K. Mid-career wages sit at $99K. Top earners bring in $128K or more, a $64K spread from bottom to top.
Biochemists and Biophysicists salary by metro in Washington
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $80K | -20% | 180 |
Compare to other states
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Frequently asked questions
Can a biochemists and biophysicist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $99K, rent takes 28.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for biochemists and biophysicists in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new biochemists and biophysicists typically earn — is $64K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,841/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 48% 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 Washington?
Local pay runs 22% below the national median — $99K here vs. $127K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for biochemists and biophysicists?
Washington pays $99K median vs. the U.S. average of $127K — that’s -22%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $97K — below the national median.
How much do biochemists and biophysicists make in Washington?
The median is $98,840 a year, that works out to about $48 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,010, and experienced biochemists and biophysicists can clear $128,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $99K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,493/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 28.2% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $96,892 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.