Biochemist and Biophysicist Salary in Boston, MA
Biochemists and Biophysicists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $131,550 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $94,823 take-home, or $7,902 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median biochemist and biophysicist salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$20,306
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,156
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,907
- Massachusetts income tax$6,358
- Take-home pay$94,823
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Biochemist and Biophysicist pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,360 | $38.15 | $60,912 | $5,076 |
| 25th percentile | $103,790 | $49.90 | $76,877 | $6,406 |
| Median (50th) | $131,550 | $63.25 | $94,823 | $7,902 |
| 75th percentile | $165,170 | $79.41 | $116,121 | $9,677 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $208,710 | $100.34 | $145,126 | $12,094 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $131,550 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median biochemist and biophysicist's $94,823 take-home pay has the buying power of $87,583 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boston, MA has 22.7× the national concentration of biochemist and biophysicist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for biochemists and biophysicists, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #2 of 2 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia, PA | $134,090 | $98,800 | $96,339 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $131,550 | $94,823 | $87,583 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 2 metros →
About the job: biochemists and biophysicists
Study the chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena. May conduct research to further understanding of the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and heredity. May determine the effects of foods, drugs, serums, hormones, and other substances on tissues and vital processes of living organisms.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +12.3% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a biochemist and biophysicist make in Boston, MA?
The median biochemist and biophysicist salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $131,550 a year, or about $63.25 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $103,790 and $165,170.
What is a biochemist and biophysicist’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $131,550 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $94,823 a year ($7,902 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,358 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a biochemist and biophysicist?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $127,410. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $87,583 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #2 of 2 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a biochemist and biophysicist afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 29% of a median biochemist and biophysicist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boston, MA
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $129,500
- Chemist — $127,290
- Biological Scientists, All Other — $110,410
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $105,960
- School Psychologist — $98,670
- Biological Technician — $61,610