Careers / Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Molecular and Cellular Biologists — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$98,920
United States, 2025
Employment
55,850
United States, 2025
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Job Zone 5
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.
- O*NET code
- 19-1029.02
- Job zone
- 5
- Experience required
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Typical tasks
- 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.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$60,430
25th percentile
$76,800
75th percentile
$127,670
90th percentile
$168,010
Most important skills
- Science4.8
- Reading Comprehension4.4
- Writing4.3
- Critical Thinking4.1
- Speaking4.0
- Judgment and Decision Making4.0
- Complex Problem Solving4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Active Learning3.9
- Learning Strategies3.9
- Monitoring3.8
- Instructing3.8
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 22 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
22
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.4 | 5.6 | Not selected | 5.6 |
| Science | 4.8 | 5.0 | Not selected | 5.0 |
| Writing | 4.3 | 5.0 | Not selected | 5.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.1 | 4.9 | Not selected | 4.9 |
| Speaking | 4.0 | 4.8 | Not selected | 4.8 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.0 | 4.6 | Not selected | 4.6 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 | 4.6 | Not selected | 4.6 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 | 4.6 | Not selected | 4.6 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.9 | 4.5 | Not selected | 4.5 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.0 | 4.1 | Not selected | 4.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.8 | 4.4 | Not selected | 4.4 |
| Mathematics | 3.8 | 4.4 | Not selected | 4.4 |
| Instructing | 3.8 | 4.1 | Not selected | 4.1 |
| Time Management | 3.1 | 3.9 | Not selected | 3.9 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.0 | 3.9 | Not selected | 3.9 |
| Coordination | 3.1 | 3.6 | Not selected | 3.6 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.0 | 3.8 | Not selected | 3.8 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.3 | 3.4 | Not selected | 3.4 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.1 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 3.0 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Persuasion | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Negotiation | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
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Compare with Molecular and Cellular BiologistsHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $138,160 | 4,280 | 2025 |
| San Jose, CA | $133,790 | 610 | 2025 |
| Dayton, OH | $126,960 | 70 | 2025 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $124,840 | 90 | 2025 |
| MD | $121,680 | 4,970 | 2025 |
| Portland, ME | $119,430 | 60 | 2025 |
| Washington, DC | $114,920 | 5,720 | 2025 |
| CA | $113,530 | 11,880 | 2025 |
| DE | $113,400 | — | 2025 |
| New Haven, CT | $112,670 | 60 | 2025 |
| CT | $111,940 | 170 | 2025 |
| Baltimore, MD | $111,530 | 800 | 2025 |
| New York, NY | $111,380 | 1,970 | 2025 |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $111,150 | 70 | 2025 |
| Vallejo, CA | $110,780 | 60 | 2025 |
| Boston, MA | $110,410 | 2,630 | 2025 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $110,330 | 70 | 2025 |
| Bremerton, WA | $109,550 | 30 | 2025 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $108,850 | 60 | 2025 |
| Seattle, WA | $108,580 | 1,880 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Molecular and Cellular Biologists to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.