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Biochemists and Biophysicists in Pennsylvania

Biochemists and Biophysicists in Pennsylvania

Thinking about a career as a Biochemists and Biophysicists in Pennsylvania? Here’s what you need to know. Study the chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena. May conduct research to further understanding of the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and heredity. May determine the effects of foods, drugs, serums, hormones, and other substances on tissues and vital processes of living organisms.

What do Biochemists and Biophysicists Make in Pennsylvania?

For biochemists and biophysicists working in Pennsylvania, the median annual wage is $112,850 per year (or roughly $54.25/hour).Pay can range from $76,060 at the 10th percentile to $162,750 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $76,060 $36.57
25th percentile $91,910 $44.19
Median (50th) $112,850 $54.25
75th percentile $126,620 $60.88
90th percentile $162,750 $78.25
Salary ranges for Biochemists and Biophysicists in Pennsylvania

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Pennsylvania relative to the national average — is 1.88, meaning that biochemists and biophysicists are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, biochemists and biophysicists earn a median of $107,979 per year ($51.91/hour), higher than the Pennsylvania median.

Biochemists and Biophysicists earnings in Pennsylvania vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 92,228 biochemists and biophysicists across the United States. In Pennsylvania alone, around 2,530 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 340 biochemists and biophysicists.

Biochemists and Biophysicists in Pennsylvania vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Biochemists and Biophysicists

Top Pennsylvania Metros for Biochemists and Biophysicists

The largest metro-area employers of biochemists and biophysicists in Pennsylvania.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 2,600 $110,460

Top States for Biochemists and Biophysicists Employment

View the states that employ the most biochemists and biophysicists work.

State Number Employed
Massachusetts 13,530
California 4,190
Pennsylvania 2,530
New Jersey 2,180
New York 1,660
Indiana 1,350
Michigan 980
Colorado 930
Maryland 760
Texas 710
Washington 530
Florida 510
North Carolina 510
Delaware 470
Ohio 410
Utah 370
Maine 350
Missouri 340
Connecticut 240
Minnesota 230

Highest-Paying States for Biochemists and Biophysicists

The highest-paying states for biochemists and biophysicists.

State Annual Median Salary
Florida $148,880
Arkansas $143,490
California $130,240
Massachusetts $127,520
Pennsylvania $112,850
Virginia $109,230
Washington $107,730
New Hampshire $103,980
New Jersey $103,360
Wisconsin $102,380

Skills

Top biochemists and biophysicists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Science  4.8 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  4.4 / 5
0
5
Writing  4.2 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  4.2 / 5
0
5
Active Learning  4.1 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  4.1 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Biology  4.7 / 5
0
5
Chemistry  4.3 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  4.3 / 5
0
5
English Language  4.3 / 5
0
5
Physics  4.0 / 5
0
5
Education and Training  3.7 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Top abilities for biochemists and biophysicists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Written Comprehension  4.2 / 5
0
5
Written Expression  4.2 / 5
0
5
Inductive Reasoning  4.2 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  4.1 / 5
0
5
Oral Expression  4.1 / 5
0
5
Information Ordering  4.0 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

  • Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.
  • Teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.
  • Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.
  • Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.
  • Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.
  • Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research.
  • Design or perform experiments with equipment, such as lasers, accelerators, or mass spectrometers.
  • Determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules.
  • Design or build laboratory equipment needed for special research projects.
  • Prepare reports or recommendations, based upon research outcomes.
  • Study spatial configurations of submicroscopic molecules, such as proteins, using x-rays or electron microscopes.
  • Study the chemistry of living processes, such as cell development, breathing and digestion, or living energy changes, such as growth, aging, or death.

Work Activities

  • Analyzing Data or Information
  • Thinking Creatively
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Processing Information
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Getting Information
  • Working with Computers
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Photoshop, Extensible markup language XML In-demand technologies: Electronic lab notebook software

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

  • Biochemistry & Biophysics
  • Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences
  • Physiology & Pathology Sciences
  • Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences

Related occupations to biochemists and biophysicists include:

Also Known As

Analytical Research Chemist, Biochemist, Biochemistry Scientist, Biological Chemist, Biophysicist, Biophysics Researcher, Chemist, Chemistry Scientist, Clinical Biochemist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Clinical Researcher, Forensic Toxicologist, Formulation Scientist, Molecular Biologist, Pharmaceutical Scientist.

References

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