Biologists in Massachusetts
Want to work as a Biologists in Massachusetts? Here’s what you need to know. All biological scientists not listed separately.
What do Biologists Make in Massachusetts?
For a biologists working in Massachusetts, the median annual wage is $101,140 per year (or about $48.63/hour).Pay can range from $64,170 at the 10th percentile to $168,070 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $64,170 | $30.85 |
| 25th percentile | $78,380 | $37.68 |
| Median (50th) | $101,140 | $48.63 |
| 75th percentile | $134,310 | $64.57 |
| 90th percentile | $168,070 | $80.80 |
The job concentration index in Massachusetts relative to the national average — is 1.73, meaning that biologists are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, biologists earn a median of $54,070 per year ($26.00/hour), higher than the Massachusetts median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 123,062 biologists nationwide. In Massachusetts alone, around 2,450 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 520 biologists.
Top Massachusetts Metros for Biologists
The largest metro-area employers of biologists in Massachusetts.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 2,070 | $103,120 |
| Worcester, MA | 170 | $80,550 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | 70 | $74,320 |
Top States for Biologists Employment
These states have the highest employment of biologists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 12,580 |
| Maryland | 5,220 |
| North Carolina | 3,020 |
| New York | 2,610 |
| Pennsylvania | 2,600 |
| Texas | 2,600 |
| Missouri | 2,560 |
| Massachusetts | 2,450 |
| Florida | 2,380 |
| Virginia | 1,950 |
| Washington | 1,870 |
| Georgia | 1,520 |
| Illinois | 1,090 |
| Minnesota | 960 |
| Michigan | 900 |
| District of Columbia | 900 |
| Colorado | 900 |
| Indiana | 850 |
| Wisconsin | 850 |
| Oregon | 720 |
Highest-Paying States for Biologists
These states pay the most for biologists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $120,880 |
| Maryland | $115,710 |
| California | $112,010 |
| New Jersey | $102,760 |
| Massachusetts | $101,140 |
| Rhode Island | $98,990 |
| Alaska | $98,220 |
| North Carolina | $97,020 |
| Colorado | $96,680 |
| Washington | $96,120 |
Skills
Top biologists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for biologists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Biologists typically:
- Program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data.
- Prepare technical and research reports, such as environmental impact reports, and communicate the results to individuals in industry, government, or the general public.
- Supervise biological technicians and technologists and other scientists.
- Develop and maintain liaisons and effective working relations with groups and individuals, agencies, and the public to encourage cooperative management strategies or to develop information and interpret findings.
- Identify, classify, and study structure, behavior, ecology, physiology, nutrition, culture, and distribution of plant and animal species.
- Study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and function.
- Collect and analyze biological data about relationships among and between organisms and their environment.
- Review reports and proposals, such as those relating to land use classifications and recreational development, for accuracy, adequacy, or adherence to policies, regulations, or scientific standards.
- Write grant proposals to obtain funding for biological research.
- Teach or supervise students and perform research at universities and colleges.
- Prepare requests for proposals or statements of work.
- Communicate test results to state and federal representatives and general public.
Work Activities
- Processing Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Working with Computers
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
- Getting Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Developing Objectives and Strategies
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Photoshop, C++, ESRI ArcGIS software In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- General Biology
- Neurobiology & Neurosciences
- Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences
- Ecology & Systematics Biology
- Other Biological Sciences
- Biotechnology
- Biochemistry & Biophysics
- Biomathematics & Bioinformatics
- Microbiology Science & Immunology
- Genetics
- Botany/Plant Biology
- Pharmacology & Toxicology
- Zoology
- Physiology & Pathology Sciences
- Nutrition Science
- Human Biology
- Marine Science
- Child Development & Psychology
- Applied Mathematics
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Related Careers
Related occupations to biologists include:
- Natural Sciences Managers
- Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
- Soil and Plant Scientists
- Biochemists and Biophysicists
- Microbiologists
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Also Known As
Aquatic Biologist, Aquatic Scientist, Bioanalytical Scientist, Biological Operations Scientist (Biological Ops Scientist), Biological Scientist, Biologist, Biology Scientist, Botanist, Cell Biologist, Cell Culture Scientist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist), Clinical Researcher, Computational Biologist, Computational Scientist, Dolphin Researcher.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 19-1029.04