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Boston Career Explorer

Life, Physical, and Social Science

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.

Also called: Analytical Research Chemist, Biochemist, Biophysics Researcher, Scientist

Median pay in Greater Boston
$131,550
$63.25/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
13,370
Massachusetts 2024–2034
−0.7%
1,000 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Doctoral or professional degree

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$79,360$103,790$131,550$165,170$208,710

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.
  • Teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.
  • Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.
  • Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.
  • Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.
  • Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Higher exposure70 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 69
  • Language-model AIOE 69
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 71

Observed AI use today: Some (Anthropic Economic Index)

Biochemists and biophysicists have higher AI exposure, and some AI use is already seen. AI tools can help with analyzing data, drafting articles and presentations, and exploring research ideas. Designing new methods, leading lab teams, and mentoring students still rely on human judgment. Massachusetts job numbers are projected to dip slightly.

Likely to change

  • Analyzing data and drafting scientific articles
  • Searching and summarizing research findings

Still relies on people

  • Designing new methods to study biology
  • Leading lab teams and mentoring students

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

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Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

20 programs near Boston (plus 13 graduate)

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