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Biomedicine salary: What your payslip might look like

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Your educational background and the industry you enter play a major role in shaping your salary expectations. In this article, we take a closer look at what you can realistically expect as a newcomer to the job market.

Table of contents:

Graduating in Biomedicine: What can you expect?
How the salary calculator works
Salary and career opportunities
Unemployment in the field of Biomedicine
How to negotiate your salary as a graduate
Considering a degree in Biomedical science?

Graduating in Biomedicine: What can you expect in terms of salary?

Are you about to finish your degree in Biomedicine and curious about what kind of salary you can expect?
According to IDA’s salary calculator, the starting salary for recent graduates in the field of biomedicine and the pharmaceutical industry in Denmark in 2025 is DKK 49,500 per month on average.

But keep in mind that this is just an average – your actual salary may vary, though it serves as a useful benchmark.

What you earn depends on several factors: where in the country you work, the type of company you’re employed by, and whether you’ve specialised during your studies. Other aspects are also worth considering, such as whether your salary includes pension contributions, and whether you’re employed in the public or private sector.
If you’re employed in the public sector, you’ll typically be covered by a collective agreement, which usually ensures fixed salary steps and annual pay increases based on seniority and qualifications.

Your salary typically doesn’t stop at the starting level.
With experience and specialisation, your value in the job market can increase significantly. For example, if you have skills in regulatory affairs, clinical research, or advanced laboratory techniques, this can open doors to roles with greater responsibility and higher pay.

Want to know what you can expect personally? Try IDA’s salary calculator – it’s available to graduates from all fields of study and provides a personalised estimate based on your individual profile.

IDA's Salary Calculator IDA's Salary Statistics

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Biomedicine salary: How the Salary Calculator works

The expected salary figures mentioned in this article are based on calculations from IDA’s salary calculator.
IDA’s calculator uses data from a specific industry and geographical area to determine salary levels. It is also based on IDA’s annual salary statistics, which are compiled from collected salary data. The figures are projected with a 2.0% annual increase, reflecting the trend in IDA’s recommended starting salary.

Development in average monthly salary for MSc graduates in the pharmaceutical industry with a health science background

Graduate 2024

Average salary for new graduates in Zealand: DKK 48.500

Average salary for new graduates in central Jutland: DKK 46.000

Try it yourself

Graduate 2025

Average salary for new graduates in Zealand: DKK 50.000

Average salary for new graduates in central Jutland: DKK 47.500

Try it yourself

Graduate 2026

Average salary for new graduates in Zealand: DKK 51.500

Average salary fornew graduates in Central Jutland: DKK 49.000 kr.

Try it yourself

Statistics show that recent graduates generally achieve the recommended starting salaries suggested by IDA.
Over the past three years, the average salary for a newly graduated employee in the private sector has exceeded the annual recommended minimum salary.

Source: IDA Salary Statistics, 2024

Salary and career opportunities with a degree in Biomedicine

A degree in Biomedicine opens the door to a wide range of career opportunities in both the public and private sectors.
As a graduate, you can work in areas such as research and development, diagnostics, treatment, and regulatory affairs.

Typical job titles for biomedicine graduates include researcher, laboratory analyst, and consultant, depending on your specific academic focus. You may find employment in hospitals, universities, research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and biotech firms – all places where you contribute to understanding and combating diseases at the molecular and cellular level. Whether employed in hospitals or biotech firms, biomedicine professionals benefit from Denmark’s ‘flexicurity’ model, which combines job mobility with social security – making career transitions safer.

Many choose to pursue a Master’s degree in Biomedicine, which allows for further specialisation in areas such as pharmacology, neurobiology, or disease prevention. It's worth noting that Denmark offers equal labour rights and protections, ensuring fair treatment and access to career development regardless of nationality.

New to the Danish labour market?

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As a biomedicine graduate, you have excellent opportunities to specialise both during and after your studies.
In the Master’s programme in Biomedicine, you can choose pathways such as immunology, pharmacology, or medical neurobiology, where you’ll explore disease mechanisms, drug effects, and brain function in depth.

Specialisation can be key to both professional development and a higher salary. The more targeted your expertise, the more attractive you become to employers in the pharmaceutical industry, biotech companies, and research institutions.
If you have skills in regulatory affairs, clinical research, or advanced laboratory techniques, this can open doors to roles with greater responsibility and improved salary conditions.

After completing your Master’s degree, some choose to continue their education through diploma or executive Master’s programmes, which are typically taken alongside full-time work. This can further enhance your career prospects and salary levels, and give access to more specialised roles – such as project manager, specialist, or advisor.

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Unemployment in the field of Biomedicine

As a newly graduated biomedical scientist, landing your first job can be challenging—especially if you don’t have relevant work experience from your studies. Graduates from science programs sometimes face a period of transitional unemployment. his is not uncommon in Denmark, where the labour market is highly flexible. The so-called 'flexicurity model' allows for frequent job changes, but also provides a safety net through unemployment insurance and social benefits.

This is partly because many jobs require specialized knowledge or experience that isn’t always gained through academic studies alone. In Denmark, there is no statutory minimum wage, and employment terms are often negotiated individually or through collective agreements. This makes it even more important to understand your rights and market value as a new graduate.

That’s why it can be a good idea to get involved in internships, student jobs, or volunteer projects during your studies, as these can make you more attractive to future employers.

But don’t let this discourage you. You can also strengthen your scientific profile by taking courses in business administration or management, which can qualify you for leadership roles and open up a wider range of career opportunities.

The Danish labour market

How to negotiate your salary as a recent graduate

When you're facing your first salary negotiation as a newly graduated biomedical scientist, it's completely normal to feel uncertain. But if you prepare thoroughly, you'll come across as more confident and well-informed.

A good starting point is to use IDA’s Salary Compass, which gives you a realistic idea of what you can expect to earn. It helps you understand your market value and provides concrete figures to support your case—so you don’t end up aiming too low.

Also remember that your value isn’t just about your base salary. You can negotiate pension contributions, vacation days, flexible working hours, and opportunities for further education. If the employer can’t offer a higher salary, these benefits can be valuable alternatives.

First salary negotiation: Interactive course

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Considering a degree in Biomedical Science?

Biomedical Science is an interdisciplinary degree that combines natural sciences and health sciences.
It’s designed for those who want to understand diseases like cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s at the molecular and cellular level—and contribute to developing the diagnostics and treatments of the future.

If you’re interested in medicine, biochemistry, mathematics, chemistry, technology, and pharmacy, a degree in biomedical science might be the right path for you.

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In Denmark, you can study Biomedical Science at:

University of Southern Denmark (SDU) – offering both Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in Biomedical Science.
University of Copenhagen (KU) – offering Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in Molecular Biomedicine.

The programmes differ in focus and language, so it’s a good idea to explore the curriculum and course offerings. A Bachelor’s degree can also lead to other Master’s programmes, giving you the flexibility to tailor your academic direction.

Career prospects for biomedical scientists are generally strong. You can find employment in both the public and private sectors – for example, in hospitals, universities, the pharmaceutical industry, and biotech companies. There are also opportunities for further education and specialisation, such as Master’s or diploma programmes, which can enhance your career options even further.

Our career advice can help you

Our professional career advisors are always ready to help you with any questions you may have about your transition into life as a recent graduate.

If you’re lucky enough to have landed a job, it’s a good idea to have your contract reviewed. That’s exactly what we, as your union, are here to help you with.

Personal career advice Contract help