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Biological Sciences · Biochemistry Rank #109 of 136

Biochemistryat University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Graduates earn $26,151/yr in their first year — about 31.0% below the national Biochemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $713K; scenarios range from $631K to $733K depending on AI disruption.

Ann Arbor, MI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
31 AT RISK
32
Optimistic
35
Pessimistic
Earnings
$26,151
1-year post-graduation
ROI
8.5x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$713K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
50% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Michigan

Don't let initial earnings data for this rigorous program overshadow the significant long-term potential. At an elite research institution like Michigan, many biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular biology graduates pursue advanced degrees immediately after their bachelor's—PhDs, MDs, or dual programs—which naturally delays high-earning entry into the workforce. Your foundational training here is exceptional preparation for competitive graduate programs and impactful careers in academia, biotech, or pharmaceuticals. The Ann Arbor area itself offers a growing ecosystem of research and development firms where your skills will be highly valued as you gain experience. While automation poses a risk to routine lab tasks, your UMich degree equips you with the critical thinking to adapt and lead in evolving scientific fields. Focus on leveraging the extensive research opportunities available to specialize and differentiate yourself.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$631K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score35/100
Earnings Multiple9.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$713K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score31/100
Earnings Multiple10.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$733K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score32/100
Earnings Multiple10.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Michigan's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Biochemistry graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Biochemists and biophysicists
+5.8% 10-yr growth · 2,900 openings/yr
$103,650/yr
Moderate
3
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 9,600 openings/yr
$100,590/yr
High
4
Biological scientists, all other
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$93,330/yr
Moderate
5
Microbiologists
+4.1% 10-yr growth · 1,700 openings/yr
$87,330/yr
Moderate
6
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
+7.3% 10-yr growth · 5,400 openings/yr
$83,460/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Biochemistry

How University of Michigan stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Northeastern University
MA · Private nonprofit
53
DW Score
$64K
1-yr earn
2.9x
ROI
California State University-San Marcos
CA · Public
54
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
17.6x
ROI
Top score
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
61
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
15.4x
ROI
MCPHS University
MA · Private nonprofit
47
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
3.6x
ROI
University of Colorado Boulder
CO · Public
53
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
9.5x
ROI
Also at University of Michigan

Other top programs at University of Michigan

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Michigan, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Biochemistry at University of Michigan

How does University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Biochemistry program score?

This program scores 31/100 — on the lower end for Biochemistry. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Biochemistry to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Biochemistry careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 45% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Biochemistry earnings lower at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?

Lower starting pay at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.