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Hourly Wage for Biologist I Salary in the United States

What is the hourly salary range of Biologist I?

As of September 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Biologist I in the United States is $28, which translates to an annual salary of about $57,837.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $33 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $25 to $30 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $22 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Biologist I Salaries

A Biologist I'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 Biologist I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Biologist I'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:

  • Biologist I (0-2 years): $57,837
  • Biologist II (2-4 years): $66,840
  • Biologist III (4-7 years): $83,426
  • Biologist IV (7+ years): $120,886
  • Biologist V (7-10 years): $137,001
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Biologist I0-2 years$57,837
Biologist II2-4 years$66,840
Biologist III4-7 years$83,426
Biologist IV7+ years$120,886
Biologist V7-10 years$137,001
View as Graph

How Do Biologist I 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 Biologist Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $64,037.
  • California: $63,794.
  • Massachusetts: $62,944.

Top Paying Cities for Biologist Is

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: $72,950
  • San Francisco: $72,151
  • Oakland: $70,631

What Skills Can Increase a Biologist I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 11.99% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Microbiology (Mentioned in 2.67% Job Postings): Microbiology (from Greek μῑκρος, mīkros, "small"; βίος, bios, "life"; and -λογία, -logia) is the study of microorganisms, those being unicellular (single cell), multicellular (cell colony), or acellular (lacking cells). Microbiology encompasses numerous sub-disciplines including virology, parasitology, mycology and bacteriology. Eukaryotic microorganisms possess membrane-bound cell organelles and include fungi and protists, whereas prokaryotic organisms—all of which are microorganisms—are conventionally classified as lacking membrane-bound organelles and include Bacteria and Archaea. Microbiologists traditionally relied on culture, staining, and microscopy. However, less than 1% of the microorganisms present in common environments can be cultured in isolation using current means. Microbiologists often rely on molecular biology tools such as DNA sequence based identification, for example 16s rRNA gene sequence used for bacteria identification.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 2% 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 11.99%
Microbiology 2.67%
SOP 2%
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 a Biologist I's salary.

  • Cell Biology: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Biochemistry: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Cell Biology $67,091
16%
Collaboration $65,934
14%
Biochemistry $64,777
12%
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Biologist I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Biologist I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $64,641. While startup companies pay approximate $54,763.

Biologist I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $54,763
Growth Stage 51~500 $57,895
Established 501~5000 $62,441
Enterprise 5000+ $64,641

Biologist I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Biologist I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Biologist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Biologist I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Biologist I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$86,756$42.050%

How Education impacts a Biologist I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Biologist I enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Biologist I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $55,345 and $58,563.

Biologist I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Biologist I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.3%
High School 1.3%
Associates 2.0%
Bachelors 58.9%
Masters 24.1%
Doctorate 12.5%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Biologist I'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
$51,421
Average $57,837/year
$63,051
$4,285
Average $4,820/month
$5,254
$989
Average $1,112/week
$1,213
$25
Average $28/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $63,051 $5,254 $1,213 $30
Average $57,837 $4,820 $1,112 $28
25th Percentile $51,421 $4,285 $989 $25

Most common benefits for Biologist I

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

Common company salaries for Biologist I

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

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FAQ about Biologist I

1. What are the responsibilities of Biologist I?

Uncovers and verifies the specific molecular "weak spots" of a disease through rigorous laboratory testing to provide the essential data needed to turn a discovery into a real-world medicine. Pinpoints exactly how a sickness develops and how new treatments can safely stop it by studying the chemical processes of cells and microorganisms. Isolates key proteins to ensure experimental drugs are both effective and non-toxic. May require an advanced degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

2. What are the skills of Biologist I

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.)

Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.

2.)

Microbiology: Microbiology (from Greek μῑκρος, mīkros, "small"; βίος, bios, "life"; and -λογία, -logia) is the study of microorganisms, those being unicellular (single cell), multicellular (cell colony), or acellular (lacking cells). Microbiology encompasses numerous sub-disciplines including virology, parasitology, mycology and bacteriology. Eukaryotic microorganisms possess membrane-bound cell organelles and include fungi and protists, whereas prokaryotic organisms—all of which are microorganisms—are conventionally classified as lacking membrane-bound organelles and include Bacteria and Archaea. Microbiologists traditionally relied on culture, staining, and microscopy. However, less than 1% of the microorganisms present in common environments can be cultured in isolation using current means. Microbiologists often rely on molecular biology tools such as DNA sequence based identification, for example 16s rRNA gene sequence used for bacteria identification.

3.)

SOP: 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.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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