Molecular and Cellular Biologist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Molecular and Cellular Biologists Make?
Molecular and Cellular Biologists earn a median annual salary of $93,330 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $54,500 at the 10th percentile to $159,780 at the 90th percentile — a range of $105,280. The highest-paying state is Connecticut at $120,880.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $54,500 |
| 25th percentile | $67,950 |
| Median (50th) | $93,330 |
| 75th percentile | $121,350 |
| 90th percentile | $159,780 |
Molecular and Cellular Biologist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticuttop | $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 |
| Pennsylvania | $95,640 |
| Hawaii | $94,700 |
| New York | $93,070 |
| Georgia | $91,890 |
| Utah | $89,860 |
| Arizona | $88,610 |
| Indiana | $87,050 |
| Wyoming | $87,050 |
| South Carolina | $86,940 |
| Oregon | $85,840 |
| Montana | $84,640 |
| Mississippi | $84,610 |
| Maine | $84,550 |
| Virginia | $83,370 |
| District of Columbia | $82,760 |
| West Virginia | $82,760 |
| New Hampshire | $82,450 |
| Kansas | $81,780 |
| Michigan | $81,200 |
| Texas | $81,020 |
| Alabama | $80,230 |
| Idaho | $79,790 |
| Iowa | $79,170 |
| Illinois | $78,600 |
| New Mexico | $78,190 |
| Ohio | $78,170 |
| Minnesota | $77,650 |
| Wisconsin | $77,520 |
| Delaware | $76,970 |
| Oklahoma | $76,670 |
| Vermont | $76,340 |
| Nebraska | $75,670 |
| Kentucky | $74,960 |
| North Dakota | $74,960 |
| Arkansas | $74,960 |
| Nevada | $74,050 |
| Tennessee | $72,550 |
| Louisiana | $69,950 |
| South Dakota | $67,180 |
| Florida | $65,060 |
| Missouri | $63,290 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Molecular and Cellular Biologist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$54,500 – $67,950 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$93,330 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$121,350 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $159,780+ |
How to Earn More as a Molecular and Cellular Biologist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Molecular and Cellular Biologists in Boulder, CO earn $137,940 — $44,610 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($121,350) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Molecular and Cellular Biologist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Molecular and Cellular Biologistthis career | $93,330 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $161,180 |
| Bioinformatics Technician | $71,490 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineer | $106,950 |
| Nanosystems Engineer | $117,750 |
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SOC: 19-1029.02 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.