Biochemists and biophysicists plan and run research projects, manage lab teams, isolate and analyze proteins, DNA and other molecules, study how drugs, hormones and nutrients affect living tissue, review other research, write papers and reports, present findings and write grant applications. The BLS notes that they use x rays and computer modeling software to work out molecular structures.
The short answer: moderate exposure, with strong growth projected. The ILO's 2025 index rates the closest groups at 0.40 for biologists and related professionals (gradient 2) and 0.38 for physicists and astronomers (gradient 1). The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 12 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, with about 2,900 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed biochemists are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Biologists, Botanists, Zoologists and Related Professionals | Gradient 2 | 0.40 |
| Physicists and Astronomers | Gradient 1 | 0.38 |
The ILO scores groups of occupations, so these are the closest groups for biochemists and biophysicists, not a score for the job title itself.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Biochemists and biophysicists | Grow 12% | About 2,900 |
The BLS says biochemists and biophysicists will continue to be needed for basic research and to develop biological products and processes. It expects the aging population to drive demand for new drugs and procedures, and with it biomedical research such as genetic research, new treatments for diseases such as cancer and new diagnostic tests. It also points to biotechnology work on clean energy, efficient food production and environmental protection.
Where AI is helping
- Searching and summarizing research literature, with sources to check.
- Drafting sections of reports, papers and grant applications.
- Analyzing and modeling data alongside the modeling software biochemists already use.
What stays with biochemists
- Research design: planning projects and deciding what to test.
- Lab leadership: managing teams and the quality of their work.
- Interpretation: judging what results mean and presenting them to colleagues.
- Checking AI help: generated summaries and citations can be wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
The BLS expects strong demand from biomedical research and biotechnology. Biochemists who use AI tools for reading and drafting, and check the output, keep more time for the research itself. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace scientists?, will AI replace food scientists? and will AI replace epidemiologists?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for biochemists and biophysicists at $127,410 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: doctoral or professional degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace biochemists?
Not on current projections. The BLS projects 12 percent growth for biochemists and biophysicists from 2025 to 2035, with about 2,900 openings a year.
How exposed are biochemists to AI?
The closest ILO groups score 0.40 for biologists and related professionals (gradient 2) and 0.38 for physicists and astronomers (gradient 1).
What drives demand?
The BLS points to the aging population, biomedical research on new drugs, treatments and tests, and biotechnology for clean energy, food production and the environment.
What do biochemists do?
They plan research, analyze molecules such as proteins and DNA, study how substances affect living tissue, write papers and secure funding.