Biochemist and Biophysicist Salary in Philadelphia, PA
Biochemists and Biophysicists in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area earn a median $134,090 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $98,800 take-home, or $8,233 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median biochemist and biophysicist salary in Philadelphia, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$20,916
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,314
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,944
- Pennsylvania income tax$4,117
- Take-home pay$98,800
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 3.07% state
Living in Philadelphia? City residents also pay Philadelphia’s Resident Wage Tax — about $5,015 a year on this salary — which lowers take-home pay to $93,785 ($7,815 a month). Choose “Philadelphia” under City income tax in the calculator. Suburban residents usually don’t pay it.
The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro spans Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland. 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 Philadelphia, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,890 | $39.85 | $64,598 | $5,383 |
| 25th percentile | $105,490 | $50.72 | $79,804 | $6,650 |
| Median (50th) | $134,090 | $64.47 | $98,800 | $8,233 |
| 75th percentile | $169,980 | $81.72 | $122,229 | $10,186 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,820 | $83.09 | $124,083 | $10,340 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $134,090 buys in Philadelphia, PA
Prices in Philadelphia, PA are 2.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.13× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median biochemist and biophysicist's $98,800 take-home pay has the buying power of $96,339 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Philadelphia, PA has 4.8× 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
Philadelphia, PA ranks #1 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 Philadelphia, PA?
The median biochemist and biophysicist salary in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area is $134,090 a year, or about $64.47 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $105,490 and $169,980.
What is a biochemist and biophysicist’s take-home pay in Philadelphia, PA?
On the median $134,090 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $98,800 a year ($8,233 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,117 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Philadelphia, PA a good place to work as a biochemist and biophysicist?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $127,410. Local prices are 2.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $96,339 would in a typical U.S. city. Philadelphia, PA ranks #1 of 2 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a biochemist and biophysicist afford rent in Philadelphia, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Philadelphia, PA is $1,520 a month ($1,810 for two bedrooms) — 18% of a median biochemist and biophysicist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $102,950
- Chemist — $95,440