There are so many courses that one can study in the University these days, among the courses one can study as a science student is Biochemistry. So for individuals who are interested in studying biochemistry as a course or choosing it as a career path, we would be discussing the courses for Biochemists and salary scale.
Before we do that, let’s start with defining what Biochemistry is and who a Biochemist is.
What exactly is biochemistry?
Examining the chemical mechanisms of living things can be defined as biochemistry. To put it another way, biochemists use their understanding of chemicals and carry out various chemical procedures and experiments to solve biological puzzles.
This line of work suits those who enjoy solving issues and have an interest in science. One of them is Bruce Alberts, who was raised Sinclair Lewis’ “Arrowsmith,” a book about an American doctor who goes from nothing to having a successful career and making a significant scientific discovery. All of my generation’s scientists read “Arrowsmith,”. It gave a utopian picture of what a scientist’s future would be like.
The Best Way to Become a Biochemist
Entry-level work in this area may be available for biochemists with a bachelor’s degree or a bachelor’s degree plus a master’s degree. However, the coveted positions in independent research and development are only available to people with Ph.D.’s. Another excellent strategy to expand one’s skills and improve one’s chances of getting a suitable permanent employment in the area is to secure a postdoctoral research appointment.
Job Rankings
Biochemistry is ranked as the 8th best science job in the world, this is to show you how lucrative Biochemistry is. Jobs are rated based on their capacity to provide a number of lucrative offers that are absent in other courses.
Salary in the Biochemistry Industry
Biochemistry jobs demand a significant amount of experience and expertise to advance in them. Only a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry would not get you far. However, if you are truly interested in the topic you are studying, you may always enroll in an advanced biochemistry course to obtain the necessary skills. Multinational corporations and other private enterprises consistently pay greater wages than the government sector. A newbie in the profession might earn a monthly salary ranging from N70,000 to N150,000. However, with a polish and rise in the biochemist’s abilities and expertise, the work profile may progress, resulting in an increase in compensation. Salary increases are possible.
What Does a Biochemist Earn?
According to a survey from 2020, the median compensation for biochemists working abroad is $94,270. The top earners earn between $127,980 while the worst earn $67,710.
How Much Money Do Biochemists Earn In Nigeria?
The average wage in Nigeria is roughly N150,000 for a recent graduate, N300,000 for an intermediate with some experience, and 1,020,000 NGN for a biochemist expert with over 15 years of experience, according to the country’s compensation structure. This is an example of the monthly wage with transportation allowance, insurance, housing allowance as well as other allowances and amenities
SALARY OF MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTS IN NIGERIA (N120,000 – N180,000)
Medical biochemists in the start of their careers in the public sector earn between N120,000 and N180,000 per month, while those in the private sector earn between N50,000 and N120,000 per month. Biochemists who work in hospitals are among the most sought-after professionals in the medical field. Medical biochemists’ expertise is highly sought after in most hospitals’ laboratory departments, as these health institutions demand only the experts for the best practices in testing interpreting, patient samples and reporting their observations to the physicians and specialists with whom they collaborate.
SALARY OF BIOCHEMISTS IN THE OIL AND GAS SECTOR IN NIGERIA (N200,000 – N400,000)
Freshly hired biochemists in Nigeria’s oil and gas business are paid between N200,000 and N400,000 per month, with their compensation increasing as they mature and gain experience on the job. The oil and gas industry is one of the finest areas for biochemists to prosper and advance their careers; they may work with ExxonMobil, Shell, NNPC, and Chevron, to name a few. Biochemists are important in the research and development of novel chemical goods, and they can also be charged with producing biofuels as alternatives to fossil fuels.
SALARY OF A BIOCHEMIST IN NIGERIA’S FAST MOVING CONSUMER GOODS SECTOR (N70,000 – N350,000)
An entry-level biochemist in the FMCG business in Nigeria now earns between N70,000 and N350,000 a month, depending on the firm. Increased job experience leads to higher remuneration. Biochemists’ knowledge is also necessary in the country’s Fast Moving Consumer Goods business. These companies use skilled biochemists as quality control specialists or sales representatives to increase demand for their goods with the goal of earning big profits.
THE SALARY OF A BIOCHEMIST IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA IS BETWEEN (N120,000 – N300,000)
An entry-level biochemist at any of Nigeria’s generic or multinational pharmaceutical businesses makes between N120,000 to N300,000 per month, depending on the organization, the nature of their medicines, and the nature of the monthly sales objective.
SALARY OF BIOCHEMISTS IN NIGERIA’S EDUCATION SECTOR (N70,000 – N150,000)
There are even opportunities for a biochemist in the education sector of the country and they earn between N70,000 and N150,000 per month, either as a lecturer in any of the universities in Nigeria that offer biochemistry or as a high school teacher who decides to teach either chemistry or biology at some of the best secondary schools in the country today. The salary structure of N70,000-N150,000 for lecturers is for Graduate Assistants and junior lecturers, Senior lecturers in higher institutions earn from N200,000 above and as Professors, they would earn as much as N400,000 and above.
Professional Courses for Biochemists
We also have other courses for biochemists that are not very popular in Nigeria but quite lucrative especially, if you are looking to pursue a successful career in that area. We would be listing some of them and their annual salary
Forensic Investigator
Forensic scientists help criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing tangible evidence like blood splatters, fingerprints, DNA, tissue, or spent shot casings. This line of work may entail on-site evidence collecting or laboratory work; some forensic scientists are involved in all aspects of evidence gathering and analysis, while others may work mostly or exclusively in a crime lab. Forensic scientists are frequently summoned into court to testify as expert witnesses on evidence or lab practices. A bachelor’s degree in forensic science and related fields of study such as toxicology, pathology, or DNA might be sufficient for entry-level employment in the profession. People in this area of biochemistry earn an annual salary of N24, 026,840 million which is around $57,850.
Food Scientist
Food scientists work in agriculture, researching and developing strategies to increase agricultural and livestock yield and sustainability. Food scientists are recorded to earn $62,910 which is about N26 million annually. Food scientists may specialize in one of several areas, such as soil, plants, or animals. They may also work as food technologists, creating novel food items, packaging strategies, or contamination detection methods. A bachelor’s degree in biochemistry combined with engineering training can be adequate to enter into the area, while doctoral degrees are not uncommon.
Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical engineers create and build innovative technologies for use in medicine and health care. They might create everything from new computer systems for hospitals to internal organ transplants or artificial limbs. The position necessitates a thorough grasp of several scientific disciplines, including biology, chemistry, computer science, and engineering. However, this is not a course that is popular in Nigerian Universities, so for individuals interested in studying this course their best bet is to consider a University abroad. People who pursue a career in Biomedical Engineering are known to earn as much as $88,040 which is around N36 million annually. Many biomedical engineers find work after completing a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering or bioengineering, while advanced degrees are also prevalent. If you have a degree in biochemistry, you will most likely need to take major extra engineering coursework or obtain a master’s degree in bioengineering or another form of engineering.
It is worth noting that nothing good comes easily, and as stated from the outset of this article, many people have yet to accept the importance of biochemists and the study of biochemistry in higher institutions in Nigeria, and it should not come as a surprise to anybody if prospective students of tertiary institutions choose other disciplines they find more appealing as an alternative to Biochemistry
However, if you have selected to major in biochemistry, you have already established yourself apart from the crowd, with the goal of unraveling the mystery of life in mind. To study biochemistry, you must first pass your core sciences at the SSCE level, as well as English language and maths, and then perform very well in your scientific subject combinations at the UTME level.
You will also need to outperform your desired tertiary institution’s cut-off mark in order to embark on a fantastic adventure of four or five years of superb biochemistry study, based on the school you are applying to.