Entry-level Molecular and Cellular Biologist salary in Seattle, WA
Based on 10 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Redmond, Everett, Bothell, Bellevue, Kirkland.
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $56,141 |
| 25th | $79,250 |
| 50th (median) | $80,171 |
| 75th | $95,970 |
| 90th | $122,721 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $51,188 | $50,097 | $52,000 | 10 |
| FY2021 | $58,608 | $54,441 | $61,002 | 20 |
| FY2022 | $55,776 | $54,048 | $59,250 | 12 |
| FY2023 | $68,054 | $65,004 | $81,000 | 13 |
| FY2024 | – | – | – | 9 |
| FY2025 | – | – | – | 3 |
| FY2026 | – | – | – | 7 |
Cost of living
Seattle's median entry-level Molecular and Cellular Biologist salary of $80,171 is worth about $72,100 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Seattle = 111.1).
Compared with all workers here
All Molecular and Cellular Biologists in the Seattle, WA area earned a median of $108,580 in May 2025 (1,880 employed). The H-1B median here is $80,171, 26% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| University of Washington | too few | 3 |
| Seattle Children's Hospital | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $80,171 | 10 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $86,259 | 58 |
| Senior · Level III | $89,349 | 42 |
| Expert · Level IV | $113,053 | 13 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $56,202 | $80,171 | 10 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $64,085 | $86,259 | 58 |
| Senior · Level III | $71,947 | $89,349 | 42 |
| Expert · Level IV | $79,830 | $113,053 | 13 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.