Biological Scientists
SOC 19-1020
The median annual wage for Biological Scientists is $91,790, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $100,440, and an estimated 133,050 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +10.3% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -6.3% (pay did not keep up with inflation).
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Biological Scientists has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $91,790 | $91,790 | 133,050 |
| 2022 | $86,000 | $89,540 | 124,910 |
| 2021 | $82,680 | $92,973 | 117,460 |
| 2020 | $83,220 | $97,976 | 110,600 |
Nominal change
+10.3%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-6.3%
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$52,090
25th Pct
$66,570
Median
$91,790
75th Pct
$124,790
90th Pct
$160,460
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado | CO | 1 | $58,200 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Life, Physical & Social Science
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.
All Life, Physical & Social Science occupations →