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Intermediate Biologist Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Intermediate Biologist in the United States is $66,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $78,745
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $58,300 to $73,100
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,470

Key Factors That Influence Intermediate Biologist Salaries

An Intermediate 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 Intermediate Biologist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Intermediate 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

Top Paying Cities for Intermediate 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: $84,400
  • San Francisco: $83,400
  • Oakland: $81,700

What Skills Can Increase an Intermediate Biologist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 9.53% 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 2.46% 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.
  • Environmental Compliance (Mentioned in 1.81% Job Postings): Environmental Compliance means conforming to environmental laws, regulations, standards and other requirements such as site permits to operate. In recent years, environmental concerns have led to a significant increase in the number and scope of compliance imperatives across all global regulatory environments. Being closely related, environmental concerns and compliance activities are increasingly being aligned with corporate performance goals and being integrated to some extent to avoid conflicts, wasteful overlaps, and gaps. Compliance with the above requirements and obligations, requires meeting certain conditions. Typically, these include: Managing monitoring programmes or schedules, ensuring that the monitoring required in the permit has been done, at the correct locations, for the correct parameters, and at the correct frequency Pre-processing, performing calculations and validating the data for compliance with any alert or reporting levels Generating routine compliance reports for authorities.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 9.53%
SOP 2.46%
Environmental Compliance 1.81%

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 Intermediate Biologist's salary.

  • Drug Discovery: Can increase your salary by up to 24%.
  • Resourcing: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Cell Biology: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Drug Discovery $82,956
24%
Resourcing $78,273
17%
Cell Biology $76,935
15%

Intermediate Biologist Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Intermediate Biologist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $74,770. While startup companies pay approximate $63,345.

Intermediate Biologist Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $63,345
Growth Stage 51~500 $66,967
Established 501~5000 $72,225
Enterprise 5000+ $74,770

Intermediate Biologist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Intermediate Biologist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 130% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Intermediate Biologist positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Intermediate Biologist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Intermediate Biologist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$100,350$48.050%
Financial Services$86,970$42.030%
Biotechnology$80,280$39.020%
Healthcare$80,280$39.020%
Chemicals$73,590$35.010%

How Education impacts an Intermediate Biologist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Intermediate Biologists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Intermediate Biologist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $64,154 and $69,028).

Intermediate Biologist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Intermediate Biologist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 42.9%
Associates 44.4%
Bachelors 42.9%
Masters 44.4%
Doctorate 12.1%

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

Understanding how an Intermediate 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
$58,300
Average $66,900/year
$73,100
$4,858
Average $5,575/month
$6,092
$1,121
Average $1,287/week
$1,406
$28
Average $32/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $73,100 $6,092 $1,406 $35
Average $66,900 $5,575 $1,287 $32
25th Percentile $58,300 $4,858 $1,121 $28

Intermediate Biologist Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Intermediate Biologist, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Intermediate Biologist Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Senior Biologist $83,500 25%
Mine Geologist III $85,600 28%
Senior Geophysicist $141,500 112%
Hydrogeologist III $113,100 69%

Most common benefits for Intermediate Biologist

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

Common company salaries for Intermediate Biologist

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

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FAQ about Intermediate Biologist

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

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Intermediate Biologist roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

2. What is the lowest salary for a Biologist?

The lowest salary for an Intermediate Biologist is $59,600. While salaries can vary widely, the majority of Intermediate Biologists earn between $68,400 (midpoint) and $77,400 (maximum). This reflects a more focused range compared to broader salary data for biologists in general.

3. Which country pays biologists the most?

While Switzerland is known for high salaries for scientists, the salary range for an Intermediate Biologist typically falls between $59,600 and $77,400. This indicates that while some countries may offer higher salaries, the average for this role is more modest compared to the top figures reported for scientists in Switzerland.

4. What are the four types of biologists?

There are various specializations within biology. Geneticists focus on genes and heredity, neuroscientists explore the nervous system, developmental biologists examine growth processes, and biochemists analyze the chemical makeup of living organisms. For an Intermediate Biologist, salaries range from $59,600 to $77,400, with a median of $68,400.

5. Can I make 6 figures with a biology degree?

While salaries for biology degree holders can vary widely, the typical range for an Intermediate Biologist is between $59,600 and $77,400. Achieving a six-figure salary may be challenging at this level, but with experience and specialization, it is possible to reach higher earnings in the field.

6. What is the highest paying job in the world?

The highest paying job in the world varies by industry and location, but roles in medicine, technology, and finance often top the list. For example, an Intermediate Biologist can expect a salary range from $59,600 to $77,400, with a median salary of $68,400, reflecting the demand for expertise in biological research and environmental science.

7. How to make 100k as a biologist?

To make $100,000 as a biologist, consider advancing your career beyond entry-level positions. Focus on roles like Biotechnology Research Analyst or Environmental Scientist, which can lead to higher salaries. With an Intermediate Biologist salary range of $59,600 to $77,400, gaining experience and specialized skills can help you reach your goal. Networking and continuous education are also key.

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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