Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Cell biologist salary
Average cell biologist salary
$68,698
Average Cell Biologist Salary
The current average salary for a Cell Biologist stands at $68,698 annually, equivalent to about $33 per hour. This role is essential in research, healthcare, and biotechnology sectors, influencing advancements in medical treatments and scientific understanding.
Salary by State
Geographical location plays a significant role in salary variations. States with a high demand for cell biologists, such as California and Massachusetts, often exhibit higher average salaries compared to others. For example, the highest-paying states include:
- California
- Massachusetts
- New York
Experience is another critical factor influencing salary. Entry-level positions may start lower, while those with several years of experience or specialized skills can command significantly higher salaries. In addition, specific roles within the field, such as research scientists or laboratory managers, may offer even more competitive compensation. For those considering a career in cell biology, exploring job opportunities in high-demand areas can lead to both financial and professional growth.
Let Zippia find your next cell biologist job
Let Zippia find your next cell biologist job
Where can a Cell Biologist earn more?
Cell biologist salary estimates from across the web
Average cell biologist salary by state
The highest-paying states for cell biologists are Alaska, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. The lowest average cell biologist salary states are New Mexico, Tennessee, and Florida.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for cell biologists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $88,160 | $42.38 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $85,510 | $41.11 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $78,019 | $37.51 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | $81,408 | $39.14 |
| 5 | Nevada | $78,472 | $37.73 |
| 6 | Utah | $81,375 | $39.12 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $77,564 | $37.29 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $73,582 | $35.38 |
| 9 | Montana | $71,743 | $34.49 |
| 10 | Maine | $70,323 | $33.81 |
| 11 | Washington | $75,877 | $36.48 |
| 12 | Oregon | $76,486 | $36.77 |
| 13 | West Virginia | $66,273 | $31.86 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $78,206 | $37.60 |
| 15 | California | $72,685 | $34.94 |
| 16 | Indiana | $68,549 | $32.96 |
| 17 | Delaware | $75,533 | $36.31 |
| 18 | Idaho | $68,063 | $32.72 |
| 19 | Hawaii | $73,720 | $35.44 |
| 20 | District of Columbia | $80,893 | $38.89 |
| 21 | South Dakota | $69,252 | $33.29 |
| 22 | New Jersey | $77,115 | $37.07 |
| 23 | Arizona | $66,429 | $31.94 |
| 24 | Vermont | $73,970 | $35.56 |
| 25 | New York | $76,268 | $36.67 |
| 26 | Oklahoma | $71,300 | $34.28 |
| 27 | Nebraska | $64,925 | $31.21 |
| 28 | Virginia | $68,497 | $32.93 |
| 29 | Michigan | $65,180 | $31.34 |
| 30 | Illinois | $65,025 | $31.26 |
| 31 | Maryland | $65,476 | $31.48 |
| 32 | Wyoming | $64,366 | $30.95 |
| 33 | Kentucky | $61,577 | $29.60 |
| 34 | Georgia | $68,179 | $32.78 |
| 35 | Minnesota | $65,957 | $31.71 |
| 36 | Mississippi | $62,408 | $30.00 |
| 37 | Wisconsin | $58,131 | $27.95 |
| 38 | Ohio | $59,299 | $28.51 |
| 39 | Iowa | $62,076 | $29.84 |
| 40 | Alabama | $58,895 | $28.31 |
| 41 | New Mexico | $56,544 | $27.18 |
| 42 | Texas | $60,228 | $28.96 |
| 43 | Tennessee | $54,975 | $26.43 |
| 44 | Colorado | $62,053 | $29.83 |
| 45 | Missouri | $54,343 | $26.13 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $60,142 | $28.91 |
| 47 | Kansas | $60,003 | $28.85 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $57,167 | $27.48 |
| 49 | Florida | $54,506 | $26.20 |
| 50 | South Carolina | $51,581 | $24.80 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $51,630 | $24.82 |
Highest paying cities for cell biologists
The highest-paying cities for cell biologists are Boston, MA, San Francisco, CA, and Bothell, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $85,544 | $41.13 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $81,300 | $39.09 |
| 3 | Bothell, WA | $76,354 | $36.71 |
| 4 | Atlanta, GA | $68,510 | $32.94 |
| 5 | Richmond, VA | $68,374 | $32.87 |
| 6 | Indianapolis, IN | $68,239 | $32.81 |
| 7 | Minneapolis, MN | $65,978 | $31.72 |
| 8 | Fort Collins, CO | $61,654 | $29.64 |
| 9 | San Antonio, TX | $60,236 | $28.96 |
Cell biologist salary details
A cell biologist's salary ranges from $45,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $102,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a cell biologist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $102,000 | $8,500 | $49 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,000 | $7,000 | $40 |
| Average | $68,698 | $5,725 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,000 | $4,583 | $26 |
| 10th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
Highest paying cell biologist jobs
The highest paying types of cell biologists are molecular biologist, aquatic scientist, and mycologist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computational Biologist | $61,449 | $5,121 | $29.54 | 12,839 |
| Research Biologist | $69,719 | $5,810 | $33.52 | 52,799 |
| Molecular Biologist | $73,763 | $6,147 | $35.46 | 22,019 |
| Biologist | $65,158 | $5,430 | $31.33 | 5,741 |
Top companies hiring cell biologists now:
Which companies pay cell biologists the most?
Cell biologist salaries at Eli Lilly and Company and Boehringer Ingelheim are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average cell biologist salary at companies like Corning Incorporated and Cargill are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eli Lilly and Company | $95,528 | $45.93 |
| 2 | Boehringer Ingelheim | $94,098 | $45.24 |
| 3 | Corning Incorporated | $91,053 | $43.78 |
| 4 | Cargill | $84,672 | $40.71 |
| 5 | University of California | $80,093 | $38.51 |
| 6 | General Electric | $77,718 | $37.36 |
| 7 | University of California-Berkeley | $77,504 | $37.26 |
| 8 | Experis US Inc | $75,740 | $36.41 |
| 9 | Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory | $75,272 | $36.19 |
| 10 | CSL Plasma | $72,334 | $34.78 |
| 11 | Glaxosmithkline | $72,231 | $34.73 |
| 12 | Lilly & Company | $71,580 | $34.41 |
| 13 | UC Merced | $67,280 | $32.35 |
| 14 | Seagen | $66,904 | $32.17 |
| 15 | PerkinElmer | $66,476 | $31.96 |
| 16 | Massachusetts General Hospital | $65,035 | $31.27 |
| 17 | University Of Minnesota Physicians | $57,823 | $27.80 |
| 18 | Kelly Services | $56,587 | $27.21 |
| 19 | Morehouse School of Medicine | $50,143 | $24.11 |
| 20 | UT Health San Antonio | $50,111 | $24.09 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Cell biologist salary trends
The average cell biologist salary has risen by $11,776 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average cell biologist earned $56,922 annually, but today, they earn $68,698 a year. That works out to a 16% change in pay for cell biologists over the last decade.
Compare cell biologist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average cell biologist salary over time
Compare cell biologist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Cell biologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $68,700 | $33.03 | +4.4% |
| 2024 | $65,700 | $31.58 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $64,000 | $30.78 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | $61,900 | $29.75 | +4.1% |
| 2021 | $59,300 | $28.53 | -0.5% |
Recently added cell biologist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catenabio | Cell Biologist-Cancer Biology | Berkeley, CA | 06/12/2025 | $100,000 |
| Global Channel Management, Inc. | Cell Biologist | New York, NY | 06/10/2025 | $112,698 |
| Arcadia Science | Evolutionary Cell Biologist | Emeryville, CA | 05/22/2025 | $130,000 |
| Radiant Systems Inc. | Cell Biologist | Cambridge, MA | 04/26/2025 | $83,480 |
| Bureau Veritas | Cell Biologist II | Indianapolis, IN | 04/24/2025 | $50,088 |
| Allen Institute for Brain Science | Scientist I Quantitative Cell Biologist-Molecular Engineering | Seattle, WA | 04/12/2025 | $84,900 |
| Global Channel Management, Inc. | Cell Biologist | New York, NY | 03/27/2025 | $66,784 |
| Bureau Veritas | Cell Biologist II | Indianapolis, IN | 03/15/2025 | $48,001 |
| Revival Bio, Inc. | Stem Cell Biologist | Woburn, MA | 02/26/2025 | $66,784 |
| Revival Bio, Inc. | Stem Cell Biologist | Woburn, MA | 02/21/2025 | $52,175 |
Cell biologist salary FAQs
Search for cell biologist jobs