As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Specialist Biologist in the United States is $120,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.
However, a Specialist Biologist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
AI Onboarding
A Specialist 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Specialist 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Biologist | 0-2 years | $57,840 |
| Intermediate Biologist | 2-4 years | $66,838 |
| Senior Biologist | 4-7 years | $83,428 |
| Specialist Biologist | 7+ years | $120,870 |
| Expert Biologist | 7-10 years | $137,002 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Specialist Biologists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 14.51% |
| Immunology | 3.43% |
| SOP | 2.01% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Drug Discovery
|
$157,170 |
30%
|
|
Commitment
|
$157,170 |
30%
|
|
Oncology
|
$153,543 |
27%
|
|
Environmental Consulting
|
$151,125 |
25%
|
|
Troubleshooting
|
$151,125 |
25%
|
|
Cell Culture
|
$151,125 |
25%
|
Specialist Biologist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $135,305. While startup companies pay approximate $114,651.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $114,651 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $121,203 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $130,711 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $135,305 |
For Specialist Biologist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Specialist Biologist positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Specialist Biologist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $151,125 | $73.0 | 25% |
| Energy & Utilities | $145,080 | $70.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $139,035 | $67.0 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $132,990 | $64.0 | 10% |
| Chemicals | $130,572 | $63.0 | 8% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Specialist 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 a Specialist Biologist with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $111,249 and $121,088).
Specialist Biologist Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 20.0% |
| High School | 28.0% |
| Associates | 52.0% |
| Bachelors | 20.0% |
| Masters | 28.0% |
| Doctorate | 52.0% |
Understanding how a Specialist 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 August 01, 2026Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Specialist 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.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Expert Biologist | $137,100 | 13% |
| Expert Geologist | $131,100 | 8% |
| Chief Geophysicist | $192,100 | 59% |
| Microbiologist, Lead/Master | $133,900 | 11% |
Salaries for a Specialist Biologist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $104,117 in 2023 to around $101,658 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Specialist Biologist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $104,117 |
| 2024 | $102,351 |
| 2025 | $101,658 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Specialist Biologist and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Specialist Biologist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Specialist Biologist roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.
Specialist Biologists in the US earn between $101,200 and $137,800 annually, with a median salary of approximately $118,000. These figures reflect the range of salaries based on industry data, highlighting the competitive compensation for this specialized role.
There are four major classes of large biological molecules—carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. As a Specialist Biologist, you can expect a salary ranging from $101,200 to $137,800, with a median salary of $118,000, reflecting the expertise and demand in this field.
In the US, a Specialist Biologist's salary ranges from a minimum of $101,200 to a maximum of $137,800, with a mid-salary of $118,000. This reflects the diverse earning potential in the field, highlighting opportunities for growth and advancement based on experience and expertise.
There are various specializations within biology. Geneticists focus on genes and heredity, neuroscientists explore the nervous system, developmental biologists examine organism growth, and biochemists analyze the chemical makeup of living organisms. For a Specialist Biologist, salaries range from $101,200 to $137,800, with a median of $118,000.
Careers in biology include roles such as research scientist, pharmacologist, ecologist, biotechnologist, and nature conservation officer. Specialist biologists can expect salaries ranging from $101,200 to $137,800, with a median salary of $118,000, reflecting the diverse opportunities and expertise within the field.
A Specialist Biologist earns a salary ranging from $101,200 to $137,800, with a mid-point salary of $118,000. This profession involves extensive research and analysis in biological sciences, requiring advanced education and training. While not the highest-paid doctor, Specialist Biologists play a crucial role in scientific advancements and environmental conservation.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
