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Molecular Biology Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Molecular Biology Director make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Molecular Biology Director in the United States is $207,394 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $100.

However, a Molecular Biology Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $225,411
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $190,881 to $216,825
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $175,847
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Molecular Biology Director Salaries

A Molecular Biology Director'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Molecular Biology Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Molecular Biology Director'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-Level (less than 1 year): $197,289
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $198,768
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $200,740
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $203,697
  • Expert (over 8 years): $207,394
Levels Salary
Entry Level Molecular Biology Director$197,289
Intermediate Level Molecular Biology Director$198,768
Senior Level Molecular Biology Director$200,740
Specialist Level Molecular Biology Director$203,697
Expert Level Molecular Biology Director$207,394
View as Graph

How Do Molecular Biology Directors 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 Molecular Biology Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $229,627.
  • California: $228,756.
  • Massachusetts: $225,707.

Top Paying Cities for Molecular Biology Director

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: $261,586
  • San Francisco: $258,722
  • Oakland: $253,270

Molecular Biology Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Molecular Biology Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $233,386. While startup companies pay approximate $197,899.

Molecular Biology Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $197,899
Growth Stage 51~500 $209,168
Established 501~5000 $225,497
Enterprise 5000+ $233,386

Molecular Biology Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Molecular Biology Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Molecular Biology Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Molecular Biology Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Molecular Biology Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$259,242$125.025%
Biotechnology$248,873$120.020%
Chemicals$228,133$110.010%
Energy & Utilities$217,764$105.05%
Pharmaceuticals$217,764$105.05%

Molecular Biology Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Molecular Biology Director'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, 2026
$190,881
Average $207,394/year
$216,825
$15,907
Average $17,283/month
$18,069
$3,671
Average $3,988/week
$4,170
$92
Average $100/hour
$104
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $216,825 $18,069 $4,170 $104
Average $207,394 $17,283 $3,988 $100
25th Percentile $190,881 $15,907 $3,671 $92

Molecular Biology Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Molecular Biology Director

Next Role

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Molecular Biology Director, 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
VP of Geology $276,653 33%
VP of Molecular Biology $225,788 9%

Most common benefits for Molecular Biology Director

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

Common company salaries for Molecular Biology Director

Here are companies hiring for Molecular Biology Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Molecular Biology Director

1. Where can a Molecular Biology Director earn the most?

A Molecular Biology Director's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Molecular Biology Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Molecular Biology Director is $261,586.

2. What is the highest pay for Molecular Biology Director?

The highest pay for Molecular Biology Director is $225,411.

3. What is the lowest pay for Molecular Biology Director?

The lowest pay for Molecular Biology Director is $175,847.

4. What are the responsibilities of Molecular Biology Director?

Directs strategy and policy development for high-impact molecular research, aligning fundamental disease mechanism investigations with organizational objectives. Establishes R&D procedures that bridge the gap between complex molecular discovery and scalable biotechnological therapy development. Synchronizes molecular research objectives with corporate growth targets by integrating advanced genetic analysis and high-resolution imaging into agile, results-oriented pipelines. Architects bioinformatics strategies and data integrity policies to ensure laboratory findings meet global regulatory standards and provide a robust foundation for clinical translation. Mandates rigorous quality control frameworks to guarantee reproducibility and sustain the competitive edge of the organization's intellectual property. Typically requires a PhD. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Molecular Biology Director?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Molecular Biology Director roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

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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