Molecular and Cellular Biologists: Career Profile
Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.
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What Tasks Do Molecular and Cellular Biologists Take On?
The day-to-day responsibilities of molecular and cellular biologists cover:
- Maintain accurate laboratory records and data.
- Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results.
- Write grant applications to obtain funding.
- Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.
- Conduct research on cell organization and function, including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation.
- Prepare or review reports, manuscripts, or meeting presentations.
- Instruct undergraduate and graduate students within the areas of cellular or molecular biology.
- Direct, coordinate, organize, or prioritize biological laboratory activities.
Skills and Knowledge
Successful molecular and cellular biologists combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
These are the skills that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Related Job Titles
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Biologist
- Biology Researcher
- Cell Biologist
- Cell Biology Scientist
- Cellular Biologist
- DNA Sequencing Associate
- Electrophysiologist
- Molecular Biologist
Employment and Demand
There are roughly 151,151 molecular and cellular biologists working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to grow by +8.7% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Molecular and Cellular Biologists
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $100,077 |
| Hourly median | $48.11 |
| 10th percentile | $59,184 |
| 25th percentile | $79,630 |
| 75th percentile | $120,523 |
| 90th percentile | $140,969 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $120,880 |
| Maryland | $115,710 |
| California | $112,010 |
| New Jersey | $102,760 |
| Massachusetts | $101,140 |
| Rhode Island | $98,990 |
| Alaska | $98,220 |
| North Carolina | $97,020 |
| Colorado | $96,680 |
| Washington | $96,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $95,640 |
| Hawaii | $94,700 |
| New York | $93,070 |
| Georgia | $91,890 |
| Utah | $89,860 |
| Arizona | $88,610 |
| Indiana | $87,050 |
| Wyoming | $87,050 |
| South Carolina | $86,940 |
| Oregon | $85,840 |
| Montana | $84,640 |
| Mississippi | $84,610 |
| Maine | $84,550 |
| Virginia | $83,370 |
| District of Columbia | $82,760 |
| West Virginia | $82,760 |
| New Hampshire | $82,450 |
| Kansas | $81,780 |
| Michigan | $81,200 |
| Texas | $81,020 |
| Alabama | $80,230 |
| Puerto Rico | $79,790 |
| Idaho | $79,790 |
| Iowa | $79,170 |
| Illinois | $78,600 |
| New Mexico | $78,190 |
| Ohio | $78,170 |
| Minnesota | $77,650 |
| Wisconsin | $77,520 |
| Delaware | $76,970 |
| Oklahoma | $76,670 |
| Vermont | $76,340 |
| Nebraska | $75,670 |
| Guam | $74,960 |
| Arkansas | $74,960 |
| Kentucky | $74,960 |
| North Dakota | $74,960 |
| Nevada | $74,050 |
| Tennessee | $72,550 |
| Louisiana | $69,950 |
| South Dakota | $67,180 |
| Florida | $65,060 |
| Missouri | $63,290 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Compensation for molecular and cellular biologists shift depending on where you work. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $107,160 | 27.4% | 1.72 |
| Middle Atlantic | $103,177 | 20.0% | 2.80 |
| New England | $99,652 | 5.8% | 1.45 |
| Rocky Mountains | $89,061 | 4.4% | 1.38 |
| Southeast | $82,733 | 19.5% | 0.99 |
| Southwest | $81,496 | 6.7% | 0.64 |
| Great Lakes | $80,619 | 6.9% | 0.55 |
| Other U.S. Territories | $78,927 | 0.5% | 0.89 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | CO | $137,940 | 180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $132,670 | 4,320 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $132,630 | 730 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | MI | $131,250 | 70 |
| New Haven, CT | CT | $124,400 | 120 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | CT | $123,080 | 40 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | OH | $119,450 | 80 |
| Vallejo, CA | CA | $111,840 | 50 |
Industry Breakdown
Most molecular and cellular biologists work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 21,620 | $97,840 |
| Educational Services | 5,590 | $63,290 |
| Manufacturing | 4,180 | $108,160 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 2,440 | $91,830 |
| Wholesale Trade | 1,200 | $103,890 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 900 | $92,020 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 550 | $122,580 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 200 | $64,090 |
Molecular and Cellular Biologists work in the following industries:
Tools and Technology
- Graphics or photo imaging software: Adobe Illustrator (hot technology)
- Object or component oriented development software: C++ (hot technology)
- File versioning software: Git (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Object or component oriented development software: Python (hot technology)
- Object or component oriented development software: R (hot technology)
- Analytical or scientific software: The MathWorks MATLAB (hot technology)
The Day-to-Day Environment
The work environment for molecular and cellular biologists is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How to Become Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Most molecular and cellular biologists positions require a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Extensive Preparation Needed (Job Zone 5), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Natural Sciences Managers (Supplemental)
- Bioinformatics Technicians (Supplemental)
- Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers (Primary-Short)
- Nanosystems Engineers (Supplemental)
- Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians (Supplemental)
- Biochemists and Biophysicists (Primary-Short)
- Microbiologists (Primary-Long)
- Bioinformatics Scientists (Primary-Short)
Top Programs to Study For This Career
Students preparing for molecular and cellular biologists often complete programs in:
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
59 programs across 14 majors
- General Biology
- Neurobiology & Neurosciences
- Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences
- Ecology & Systematics Biology
- Other Biological Sciences
- Biotechnology
- Biochemistry & Biophysics
- Biomathematics & Bioinformatics
- Microbiology Science & Immunology
- Genetics
- Botany/Plant Biology
- Pharmacology & Toxicology
- Zoology
- Physiology & Pathology Sciences
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
3 programs across 3 majors
Psychology
1 programs across 1 majors
Mathematics and Statistics
1 programs across 1 majors
Sources
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 19-1029.02 (Biological Scientists, All Other).
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