by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology involves the study of Biochemistry And Molecular Biology. A Program Of Study That Combines The Biological Sub-Disciplines Of Biochemistry And Molecular Biology. Includes Instruction In General Biology, General And Organic Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Genetics, And Cellular Biology. Continue reading for the important information every biochemistry & molecular biology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering biochemistry & molecular biology programs.
Across the country, biochemistry & molecular biology is a widely-pursued major, with 1,482 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Schools ranking analyzes these 96 schools to determine the best overall colleges for biochemistry & molecular biology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of biochemistry & molecular biology programs later in this article.
Studies in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations biochemistry & molecular biology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a biochemistry & molecular biology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a biochemistry & molecular biology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several biochemistry & molecular biology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,133 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 172 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 177 |
People currently working in careers related to biochemistry & molecular biology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 32.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 21.2% |
| Master’s degree | 16.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 16.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.7% |
| Some college courses | 2.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
| First professional degree | 0.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in biochemistry & molecular biology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in biochemistry & molecular biology opens doors to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to biochemistry & molecular biology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to biochemistry & molecular biology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Geneticists | 183,832 | -1.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 164,357 | 8.7% |
| Biologists | 118,631 | -3.6% |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | 95,666 | 3.7% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of biochemistry & molecular biology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $39,812 |
| 4 years | $57,445 |
| 5 years | $71,613 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for biochemistry & molecular biology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers biochemistry & molecular biology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $107,979 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
| Biologists | $54,070 |
With 96 different biochemistry & molecular biology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased biochemistry & molecular biology school rankings to help you.
Students interested in biochemistry & molecular biology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biochemistry | 9,737 |
| Molecular Biology | 1,255 |
| Molecular Biochemistry | 466 |
| Biophysics | 345 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other | 316 |
| Molecular Biophysics | 187 |
| Radiation Biology/Radiobiology | 18 |
| Structural Biology | 14 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
