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Expert Biologist Salary in the United States

How much does an Expert Biologist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Expert Biologist in the United States is $137,100 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.

However, an Expert Biologist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $153,148
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $125,000 to $145,500
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $113,984
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Expert Biologist Salaries

An Expert Biologist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Expert Biologist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Expert Biologist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry Biologist (0-2 years): $57,837
  • Intermediate Biologist (2-4 years): $66,840
  • Senior Biologist (4-7 years): $83,426
  • Specialist Biologist (7+ years): $120,886
  • Expert Biologist (7-10 years): $137,001
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Biologist0-2 years$57,837
Intermediate Biologist2-4 years$66,840
Senior Biologist4-7 years$83,426
Specialist Biologist7+ years$120,886
Expert Biologist7-10 years$137,001
View as Graph

How Do Expert Biologist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Expert Biologists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $151,700.
  • California: $151,200.
  • Massachusetts: $149,100.

Top Paying Cities for Expert Biologists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $172,800
  • San Francisco: $171,000
  • Oakland: $167,400

What Skills Can Increase an Expert Biologist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 9.54% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 2.77% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
  • Data Analysis (Mentioned in 2.06% Job Postings): Data analysis is a process of inspecting, cleansing, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision-making. Data analysis has multiple facets and approaches, encompassing diverse techniques under a variety of names, and is used in different business, science, and social science domains. In today's business world, data analysis plays a role in making decisions more scientific and helping businesses operate more effectively. Data mining is a particular data analysis technique that focuses on modeling and knowledge discovery for predictive rather than purely descriptive purposes, while business intelligence covers data analysis that relies heavily on aggregation, focusing mainly on business information. In statistical applications, data analysis can be divided into descriptive statistics, exploratory data analysis (EDA), and confirmatory data analysis (CDA). EDA focuses on discovering new features in the data while CDA focuses on confirming or falsifying existing hypotheses. Predictive analytics focuses on application of statistical models for predictive forecasting or classification, while text analytics applies statistical, linguistic, and structural techniques to extract and classify information from textual sources, a species of unstructured data. All of the above are varieties of data analysis.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 9.54%
SOP 2.77%
Data Analysis 2.06%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Expert Biologist's salary.

  • Microbiology: Can increase your salary by up to 27%.
  • Research and Development: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Microbiology $174,117
27%
Research and Development $156,294
14%
Problem Solving $154,923
13%
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Expert Biologist Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Expert Biologist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $153,229. While startup companies pay approximate $129,814.

Expert Biologist Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $129,814
Growth Stage 51~500 $137,237
Established 501~5000 $148,014
Enterprise 5000+ $153,229

Expert Biologist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Expert Biologist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 155% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Expert Biologist positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Expert Biologist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Expert Biologist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$219,360$105.060%
Financial Services$178,230$86.030%
Biotechnology$164,520$79.020%
Healthcare$157,665$76.015%
Chemicals$150,810$73.010%

How Education impacts an Expert Biologist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Expert Biologists enter the field with a Master's Degree or MBA degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Expert Biologist with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $121,251 and $129,554).

Expert Biologist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Expert Biologist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.3%
High School 1.3%
Associates 1.3%
Bachelors 13.3%
Masters 22.2%
Doctorate 62.0%
View as Graph

Expert Biologist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Expert Biologist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$125,000
Average $137,100/year
$145,500
$10,417
Average $11,425/month
$12,125
$2,404
Average $2,637/week
$2,798
$60
Average $66/hour
$70
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $145,500 $12,125 $2,798 $70
Average $137,100 $11,425 $2,637 $66
25th Percentile $125,000 $10,417 $2,404 $60

Most common benefits for Expert Biologist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Expert Biologist

Here are companies hiring for Expert Biologist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Expert Biologist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Expert Biologist?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Expert Biologist roles, with salaries approximately 60% above the market median.

2. How much do experts get paid?

Experts in biology can expect a salary ranging from $111,100 to $140,500 annually, with a median salary of $128,100. This reflects the specialized skills and knowledge required in the field, highlighting the value placed on expert biologists in the job market.

3. Can biologists make a lot of money?

Yes, biologists can earn a competitive salary. For expert biologists, the salary ranges from a minimum of $111,100 to a mid-level of $128,100, with a maximum of $140,500 annually. This reflects the potential for a lucrative career in the field, depending on experience and specialization.

4. Do biologists need a PhD?

For the highest professional status, a PhD is essential, especially for top research roles and higher-level college teaching positions. Many institutions offer programs leading to a master's or doctorate. In terms of salary, expert biologists can expect a minimum of $111,100, a mid-range salary of $128,100, and a maximum of $140,500, reflecting their advanced qualifications.

5. Which is the highest paying IT job in USA?

The highest paying IT job in the USA is the Expert Biologist, with a salary range from $111,100 to $140,500, and a mid-salary of $128,100. This role is critical in various tech sectors, especially in biotech and environmental tech, reflecting the growing demand for expertise in biological sciences.

6. How much is an IT expert paid in USA?

How much does an IT expert make? The estimated total pay for an IT expert in the USA ranges from $111,100 to $140,500 per year, with a mid-salary of $128,100. These figures reflect the salary range based on industry data and provide a comprehensive view of compensation for this role.

7. How much does a PHD in biotechnology make in the US?

As of January 6, 2025, a PhD in biotechnology can expect to earn between $111,100 and $140,500 annually, with a median salary of approximately $128,100. This translates to about $53.37 to $67.50 per hour, or $2,136 to $2,708 per week, and $9,633 to $11,667 per month.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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