Science & ResearchCompare

Biochemist

O*NET: Biochemists and Biophysicists·19-1021.00

The Verdict:Biochemists conduct hands-on lab experiments manipulating chemicals, cells, and equipment to validate novel discoveries AI cannot physically execute. Team supervision and method innovation demand human judgment. AI accelerates data crunching and modeling, evolving the role toward hybrid workflows, but core experimental research remains human-driven.

Resilience Score

/100

Resilient

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$104k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+5.8%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 2 of 25 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

Low exposure

Task Analysis

Most of this role rewards AI fluency.
56% of tasks (14 of 25) become more productive with AI tools — learning to use them is the highest-leverage career move.

2exposed

14AI leverage

9human-essential

View all 25 tasks

AI Can Handle This2 tasks

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

Determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules.

Analyze biochemical or biophysical data.

AI Leverage14 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.

Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.

Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research.

Prepare reports or recommendations, based upon research outcomes.

Study spatial configurations of submicroscopic molecules, such as proteins, using x-rays or electron microscopes.

Study the chemistry of living processes, such as cell development, breathing and digestion, or living energy changes, such as growth, aging, or death.

Study the mutations in organisms that lead to cancer or other diseases.

Research the chemical effects of substances, such as drugs, serums, hormones, or food, on tissues or vital processes.

Develop or execute tests to detect diseases, genetic disorders, or other abnormalities.

Develop or test new drugs or medications intended for commercial distribution.

Examine the molecular or chemical aspects of immune system functioning.

Research how characteristics of plants or animals are carried through successive generations.

Develop methods to process, store, or use foods, drugs, or chemical compounds.

Investigate the nature, composition, or expression of genes or research how genetic engineering can impact these processes.

Human Advantage9 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.

Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.

Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.

Design or perform experiments with equipment, such as lasers, accelerators, or mass spectrometers.

Design or build laboratory equipment needed for special research projects.

Research transformations of substances in cells, using atomic isotopes.

Isolate, analyze, or synthesize vitamins, hormones, allergens, minerals, or enzymes and determine their effects on body functions.

Prepare pharmaceutical compounds for commercial distribution.

Produce pharmaceutically or industrially useful proteins, using recombinant DNA technology.

Resilience Landscape

Biochemist lands in Stable & Well-Paid

Higher Resilience Paths in Science & Research

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Biochemist

Task Analysis

Resilience Landscape

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