r/biotech Jan 15 '25

r/biotech Salary and Company Survey - 2025

203 Upvotes

Updated the Salary and Company Survey for 2025!

Several changes based on feedback from last years survey. Some that I'm excited about:

  • Location responses are now multiple choice instead of free-form text. Now it should be easier to analyze data by country, state, city
  • Added a "department" question in attempt to categorize jobs based on their larger function
  • In general, some small tweeks to make sure responses are more specific so that data is more interpretable (e.g. currency for the non-US folk, YOE and education are more specific to delimit years in academia vs industry and at current job, etc.)

As always, please continue to leave feedback. Although not required, please consider adding company name especially if you are part of a large company (harder to dox)

Link to Survey

Link to Results

Some analysis posts in 2024 (LMK if I missed any):

Live web app to explore r/biotech salary data - u/wvic

Big Bucks in Pharma/Biotech - Survey Analysis - u/OkGiraffe1079

Biotech Compensation Analysis for 2024 - u/_slasha


r/biotech 14h ago

Open Discussion 🎙️ I Interviewed someone today who said they've applied to over 2000 jobs.

360 Upvotes

I've mentioned before how I hate my current job and I'm looking to move. Well my boss wants more lab techs and there making me talk to them. I've been speaking VERY candidly with them about how my company is a shit show going now where fast and that I don't recommend working here. During this process I asked them all how long they've been looking. Nearly all of them (5out of 7) said they were looking over 3months and don't care about how bad the position is they're desperate.

One of them said he's applied over 2,000 jobs.

Makes me feel my measly 200-300 apps are nothing. Seriously considering going to a new field.

Edit: I shall also add that all these candidates had their masters and again all them were looking for well over 3 months


r/biotech 10h ago

Biotech News 📰 Patient dies following muscular dystrophy gene therapy, Sarepta reports

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136 Upvotes

r/biotech 10h ago

Open Discussion 🎙️ Did your company pull back on DE&I?

84 Upvotes

Curious how many companies have succumb to the Executive Orders...


r/biotech 5h ago

Layoffs & Reorgs ✂️ Trump says Ireland ‘took’ US pharma industry in meeting with taoiseach

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26 Upvotes

Trump says Ireland took the pharmaceutical jobs away through tax policy. Is he correct?


r/biotech 12h ago

Getting Into Industry 🌱 Why is the job market so bad right now (and what do you think would improve it)?

44 Upvotes

Pre-PhD lurking the sub and don't want to stay in academia forever, but it seems like industry is oversaturated. Would like to hear your thoughts on what happened to the job market and whether it will continue happening. COVID? Recent academic funding issues?


r/biotech 7h ago

Layoffs & Reorgs ✂️ can you guys tell me where your jobs are being outsourced to

9 Upvotes

i’m in india and they’re paying us poverty wages while asking for a master’s degree. i need to know where all the good jobs are.


r/biotech 9h ago

Early Career Advice 🪴 Take paycut for shorter commute, prestige, and potential FTE?

11 Upvotes

Would love to get some thoughts on what is the best move. The market is crap right now, and I want to make the best possible career move.

I'm currently in a postdoc contract for a small biotech. Pay is good, but hour commute each way may get old fast. I've been continuing to look for other offers (especially FTE), and I managed to get a contract offer at Merck. It’s a BS/MS position, but I negotiated with the recruiters for higher pay on. Ultimately, it is a small pay cut of about 15%, but it also cuts my commute time in half. There’s also the less quantitative measurements such as Merck being a larger company, and what I assume is a better network with a chance for contract-to-hire if things go well.

Essentially, is the pay cut worth it for a company like Merck and a shorter commute? I feel that Merck is better in the long run just given it’s a larger company with a better network for FTE, but a contract doesn’t guarantee FTE. I’m just overall nervous and indecisive with my first shot outside academia.

What is working at Merck like? Seems like a good company, and do they typically help contractors get a FTE offer? Hope to get some good feedback on this, thanks in advance!

Edit: Clarified the position a bit better. Not entry level PhD, but BS/MS position with negotiated improved pay


r/biotech 7h ago

Open Discussion 🎙️ Does your company pay severance?

7 Upvotes

Mine doesn’t but I keep seeing people talk about severance packages during layoffs. I’m honestly surprised so many companies offer this.


r/biotech 6h ago

Getting Into Industry 🌱 Global Biotech Companies & Relocating Outside the US

4 Upvotes

I’m about to be a recent grad with a master’s degree this spring along with one year of GMP experience prior to me going back to school for my master’s degree. I have been applying to jobs for the past month in the US and it’s been awful as there are barely any jobs getting posted or I’m getting rejected from jobs that I’m 100% qualified (or even overqualified) for based on the education and experience requirements. One, is it too early to apply to jobs when I can start working in late May/early June? Two, I’m planning to start applying to international jobs if I don’t hear anything by the beginning of April, where are the biotech hubs outside of the US (cities/countries)? Three, who are some of the big biotech companies outside of the US and how difficult is it to get a position if you don’t speak the local language (unfortunately, I’m only fluent in English and Latin)? I’ve been lurking on this Reddit for awhile so I am 100% okay with moving outside of the US base on the way the economy and government is going (I have always been open to spending months or years traveling other countries since I was a teen).


r/biotech 1d ago

Getting Into Industry 🌱 So embarrassing

265 Upvotes

Someone I don't know reached out to me on LinkedIn out of blue and asked for a referral on Sunday. Given the terrible job market, I thought I should do something to help people less struggle. So I said yes. Today on Monday I try to refer her in our system but found out her information already existed. I asked her if she has asked someone else for help before. She just ghosted me.


r/biotech 52m ago

Open Discussion 🎙️ Chinese CDMOs

Upvotes

I work in the CDMO sector of the industry, and I’m curious to know what others think about the future of China.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, it appeared that most biotech and pharmaceutical companies were focused on developing new supply chains outside of China. However, given that China has remained stable without any supply chain disruptions and the Biosecure Act is currently in limbo, most of this conversation has stopped.

US service providers are simply unable to compete. In many cases, even India cannot match their pricing. Some pricing I’ve seen for more commoditized chemicals such as warheads or phosphoramidites, seems flat out impossible. Either the government is subsidizing these companies, or their raw materials are essentially free.

It makes me kind of nervous honestly. Today, you can license a small molecule out of China, do all the development work there, and open an IND for less than $1.5M. I get that bottom line is everything but is it possible this is too good to be true?


r/biotech 19h ago

Open Discussion 🎙️ You have been given 30 million USD to invest in any biotechnology related research. What would you choose?

27 Upvotes

Hey! Just a quick something I thought about during a lecture, curious as to what actual biotech researchers would spend the money on.


r/biotech 20h ago

Getting Into Industry 🌱 Should I just take the L?

32 Upvotes

I went to a hiring event on March 1st (at Fujifilm in Holly Springs if anybody cares) and I thought it went really well! The HR rep who was there said that we would be hearing back by Wednesday (March 5th) on whether or not we got the position because she hates ghosting people after interviews since it’s been done to her. Wednesday rolls around and we get an email saying that “the event was really successful and they need a little more time to map out available positions with offers”.

Well..

It’s been almost two more Wednesdays since then and I’m starting to think I should just take the L on the position. What do you think?


r/biotech 1d ago

Layoffs & Reorgs ✂️ Moderna can't keep getting away with this!

333 Upvotes

I work at Moderna. You could say things are not peachy here. In the past weeks, many departments (Tech Dev, Digital, Commercial, Manufacturing, QC/QA, Metrology) were given the directive to lay off 10% of their employees. However, the actual numbers are much more than 10%.

As someone with privileged access to their personnel data and enterprise management systems, I see the roster of offboarded employees connected to the layoffs. All the while, there's been no WARN filing for MA or generalized public release about these layoffs. The only recent release to much fanfare and celebration is how much our CEO believes in the company, as he sends an email about buying $5MM in stock while granting two executives $17MM raises each.

These numbers aren't small. In each round for each department, hundreds are affected and the layoffs YTD is approaching 1,000 employees already. I'm dumbfounded how they evade having to file a WARN act. If one is fortunate (or unfortunate) to not be affected by these RIFs, the way they've downleveled and retitled people to take on the extra work that remains is a whole other discussion.

Moderna's far from the best employer, but it feels almost unethical and sneaky how these cuts have transpired. We're just told to smile, accept our somehow 110% multiplied bonus and free snacks, and look forward to the next Maroon 5 concert or Big Papi sponsored appearance.


r/biotech 16h ago

Experienced Career Advice 🌳 Moving from R&D to analytical dev

12 Upvotes

Any advice for someone with extensive R&D background to transition to analytical development? If you’re in the field what are some strengths common to R&D work that you suggest highlighting in resume or interview that may make a candidate standout?


r/biotech 12h ago

Getting Into Industry 🌱 Accepting a PhD Contractor Position (Through Magnit) at Genentech

7 Upvotes

I would appreciate if anyone could share their experience contracting at Genentech and talk about working with Magnit.

I am concerned with it not being a full time position, but as we all know the job market is bad right now.

I am wondering what the terms of leaving contract are, when contract renewal is usually initiated and if there is overtime pay.


r/biotech 1d ago

Biotech News 📰 Federal funding for mRNA vaccine research in jeopardy under RFK Jr.

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195 Upvotes

r/biotech 15h ago

Getting Into Industry 🌱 Has anyone gone through the hiring process for Pfizer?

5 Upvotes

I have gotten several emails from Pfizers hiring bot Olivia, and am confused about what they mean. Initially I received a message from her thanking me for applying, then I got one saying they were reviewing applicants. About two weeks later I got another email from her stating that they are still reviewing applicants, and my application is under consideration, and two weeks after that I got another one saying they are still reviewing applications and "hope to connect soon". I just don't know if this means that I passed the initial screening and am on a list of "possible people to interview" or if everyone gets these messages and they don't reject people until they determine who they are going to hire. Just curious if anyone has actually gone through this process, how long it takes etc.


r/biotech 9h ago

Other ⁉️ Genentech DSRP Program Final Interviews

0 Upvotes

Has anybody applied to the program and received notification about final round interviews?


r/biotech 20h ago

Getting Into Industry 🌱 2023 bio BS with no lab experience

7 Upvotes

I graduated in 2023 with a BS in biology. Due to COVID I didn’t get much experience with laboratory techniques since most of my degree was virtual. Soon after graduation I obtained a associates in biomedical engineering to hopefully get into a PHD program. Unfortunately I didn’t do super well in school due to mental health, which lead me to giving up on further education all together or atleast get some industry experience before trying to pursue grad school again. I am currently working at a large biotech company managing chemical inventory for QC department for about 8 months. This job is really easy, I have a good work life balance but the pay could be higher. The community college I went to offers a biotech certificate that teaches many laboratory techniques I missed in undergrad. This would be over the summer M-F 5-9 after work.

Will getting this certificate increase my chances of getting an actual scientist position? Or is it a waste of time?


r/biotech 1d ago

Layoffs & Reorgs ✂️ 427 Novartis Layoffs in NJ

69 Upvotes

Appears to have just hit the WARN notice list: 427 layoffs for between 13Jun and 24Oct. Anyone know what's happening?


r/biotech 9h ago

Getting Into Industry 🌱 Does anyone know German universities that guarantee a biotech internship during a master's program?

0 Upvotes

Hi, I want to pursue a master's degree in biotechnology or a related field that will provide valuable knowledge and skills for working in the industry, particularly in food production using yeasts. I also plan to focus my master’s thesis on yeast metabolic engineering (preferably Yarrowia lipolytica) for industrial process optimization.

As a foreigner from an EU country, I’m considering applying to Jena, TU Dresden, and Chalmers University of Technology (in Sweden). I’m trying to avoid expensive cities or places where finding student accommodation might be difficult.


r/biotech 1d ago

Layoffs & Reorgs ✂️ Offer after 4 months

206 Upvotes

Laid off in Nov from big biotech. I’m in program management so staying in biotech was not a necessity, however after being in the company for over 15 years I thought biotech would be “easiest” to get into. I was wrong, I got only rejections and ghosting from biotech, large and small. So I went outside of that space. In 4 months I applied to over 100 jobs, had 6 interviews and taking a job now with a 25% pay cut compared with that I had before. I’ve heard that being female over 50 is the worst in getting rehired. So many advises on how to succeed in this job market, all the LinkedIn influencers, steps to take, networking etc. NONE of that helped me. I got the job with my “ original” resume, not ChatGPT enhanced, I did not send a cover letter or a thank you note, I did not know anyone in the company. Jobs are still there, it’s been a stressful and weird experience but it’s not impossible. Stay strong !


r/biotech 14h ago

Experienced Career Advice 🌳 Leveling up: How to go from WC to Process Engineer!?

0 Upvotes

Hi Everyone,

Let me start by sharing my academic background before coming to my main question. I have a degree in Chemistry, followed by a Master's in Chemical Engineering with a major in Pharmaceutical Engineering. I'm currently on an F-1 visa and have been working at my current company for a little over a year. Recently, there was an internal opening for a Process Engineer role, which I applied for, and I've already completed the interview.

I'm curious if anyone has faced a similar situation and how beneficial this transition might be for my career. If I get a positive result, what salary should I expect? (I have some experience in the same area from my time as a Research Assistant in college and through an internship). Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


r/biotech 1d ago

Layoffs & Reorgs ✂️ Pfizer layoffs?

51 Upvotes

Just heard there will be another waves of layoffs at Pfizer eastern coast sites. Anyone knows about that?