Molecular and Cellular Biologists Career, Salary and Skills
Molecular and Cellular Biologists have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $98,920 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 55,850. Wage data is published for 208 locations.
Occupation description
Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.
O*NET code
19-1029.02
Job zone
5
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
National salary and employment
Median annual
$98,920
Hourly median
$47.56
Employment
55,850
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
$60,430
10th
$76,800
25th
$98,920
Median
$127,670
75th
$168,010
90th
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Science | 4.75 | 5.00 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.38 | 5.62 |
| Writing | 4.25 | 5.00 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.12 | 4.88 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.00 | 4.62 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Speaking | 4.00 | 4.75 |
| Active Listening | 4.00 | 4.62 |
| Active Learning | 3.88 | 4.62 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.88 | 4.50 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Maintain accurate laboratory records and data.
Technology
- AcaClone pDRAW32
- Adobe Illustrator
- Agilent CGH Analytics
- Agilent Technologies GeneSpring GX
- Basic Local Alignment Search Tool BLAST
- Blast Output Browser BOB
- C++
- ClustalW
- Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- CRI-MAP
- Delila
- Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA libraries
- EnzymeX
Molecular and Cellular Biologists salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists Salary in CAMedian $113,530 · Employment 11,880
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists Salary in Washington, DCMedian $114,920 · Employment 5,720
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists Salary in MDMedian $121,680 · Employment 4,970
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists Salary in San Francisco, CAMedian $138,160 · Employment 4,280
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists Salary in MAMedian $107,100 · Employment 2,930
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists Salary in NCMedian $100,070 · Employment 2,780
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists Salary in Boston, MAMedian $110,410 · Employment 2,630
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists Salary in WAMedian $108,110 · Employment 2,620
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists Salary in NYMedian $104,120 · Employment 2,520
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists Salary in TXMedian $80,870 · Employment 2,480
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $96,380 · Employment 2,320
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists Salary in New York, NYMedian $111,380 · Employment 1,970
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- Medical and Clinical Laboratory TechniciansNational median not published
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.