What Can You Do with a Biology Degree?
If you are someone with a scientific mind that enjoys exploring the wonders of the natural world, then a degree in Biology can open the door to a number of prestigious, professional careers! From research scientists to education, working within the field of biology allows you to use your intellect and skillset to make a major impact on the way that we view our natural environment.
To give you a better idea of the jobs available to you after graduating from your Biology degree program, we have put together the following table that shows 40 different career opportunities and their median annual salaries:
| Job Title | Job Summary |
Median Annual Wage |
| Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) | High-level executive who is in charge of managing their company’s scientific, technological, and research operations. |
$140,000 |
| Medical Science Liaison | Clinical research professional who works to interpret logical and therapeutic data for a variety of organizations. |
$141,161 |
| Senior Research Scientist, Biotechnology | Research position that is responsible for participating in research and assessing new technologies and their future applications. |
$104,377 |
| Environmental Engineering Manager | Evaluates facilities for environmental issues and helps companies mitigate risks and stay in compliance with regulations. |
$97,122 |
| Research Scientist | Primarily tasked with gathering knowledge and understanding research in their specific area of expertise. |
$82,895 |
| Associate Professor, Postsecondary | Works to teach students within a higher-education institution and conducts research within their field of study. |
$79,309 |
| Product Development Scientist | Often works in the food industry and is responsible for developing new items for production based on consumer feedback. |
$77,123 |
| Air Quality Engineer | Works for a variety of entities to conduct auditing or testing on air quality and emission standards. |
$77,703 |
| Laboratory Manager | Oversees the day to day operations of a laboratory and ensures that quality standards are met for lab procedures. |
$67,872 |
| Assistant Professor, Postsecondary | Responsible for developing and teaching courses to adult students within their area of expertise. |
$67,629 |
| Environmental Engineer | Technological advisers who assist with the challenges of land use, pollution, resource regulation, and environmental laws. |
$74,913 |
| Oceanographer | Studies topics related to the ocean and examines the animals, microbes, and plants that live there. |
$70,831 |
| Associate Research Scientist | Helps design and implement research projects and conduct appropriate laboratory tests before analyzing the data. |
$71,248 |
| Consultant, Environmental Engineering | Uses results from field work and lab tests to assist clients with regulatory compliance issues and permitting. |
$65,525 |
| Clinical Research Associate (CRA) | Responsible for assisting with the clinical research process and investigating the transmission of diseases or parasites. |
$66,123 |
| Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist | Works in a variety of fields to help a company develop strategies to ensure a standard level of quality across company procedures. |
$63,662 |
| Zoologist | Studies the origin and development of animals and conducts habitat surveys to prepare biological and environmental reports. |
$59,739 |
| Ecologist | Surveys ecosystems and creates assessments based on the diversity, behavior, and population of the organisms within them. |
$50,845 |
| Environmental Geologist | Conducts site assessments, collects samples, and reports back to organizations on remediation efforts and success rates. |
$58,184 |
| Research Associate, Biotechnology | Conducts experiments and analyzes data to test potential biologic compounds’ effectiveness on diseases. |
$62,643 |
| Environmental Consultant | Works to assess the environmental impact of a specific company or process to determine the safety of the situation. |
$62,065 |
| Research Analyst | Examines data and derives useful information from it to assist their employer in a variety of situations. |
$65,666 |
| Marine Biologist | Researches and explores plants and animals that live in the ocean to determine the health of an environment. |
$54,458 |
| Medical/Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Responsible for collecting, testing, and analyzing a variety of human bodily fluids within a laboratory environment. |
$59,925 |
| Biologist | Analyzes living organisms in a variety of settings and determines environmental effects of land and water use. |
$55,695 |
| Botanist | Studies various aspects of plant biology to research the relationship between plants, the environment, and other living organisms. |
$57,000 |
| Agronomist | Helps to select the correct nutrients for crops to be grown and conducts product testing and evaluations. |
$57,143 |
| Research Associate, Molecular Biology | Typically works in a university laboratory to conduct various clinical trial studies and record their research within the field. |
$54,130 |
| Microbiologist | Studies the biology of microorganisms by performing testing, analyzing data, and recording research findings. |
$59,303 |
| Conservation Scientist | Researches natural environments and uses technological tools to collect and analyze data. |
$55,295 |
| Forester | Responsible for maintaining, studying, and gathering information on natural habitats. |
$52,176 |
| Soil Conservationist | Develops and implements conservation plans related to soil, irrigation, and flood control. |
$50,740 |
| High School Teacher, Biology | Provides instruction to students in a public or private high school to help them understand the basics of their specific field of study. |
$60,149 |
| Conservation Officer | Member of law enforcement that manages wildlife areas in order to aid conservation of the region. |
$47,949 |
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | Assists tenured professors or researchers with performing experimental investigations. |
$50,339 |
| Farm Manager | Responsible for optimizing the production of a farm by inspecting facilities and properly utilizing the farm’s resources. |
$48,712 |
| Assistant Research Scientist | Member of a research team who helps formulate hypothesizes, manage laboratory equipment, and conduct testing. |
$58,260 |
| Research Technician | Assists scientists with experiments and research by recording data and monitoring experiments. |
$44,697 |
| Biological Science Laboratory Technician | Performs a variety of tasks in a biological laboratory to ensure that plants being studied are properly managed. |
$41,226 |
| Zookeeper | Helps to maintain the habitats within a zoo setting and care for the wild animals that are housed there. |
$30,514 |
*Data sourced through Payscale.com
What can you do with a Biology Degree?
The field of Biology is extremely diverse, and once you have graduated with your degree you will have the opportunity to work in a wide variety of fields, including healthcare, conservation, research, and education.
The careers associated with the field of Biology have a wide variance in annual salary, as you can see from the information in the table above. While you may make more or less than the average wages shown, your specific specialization and experience within the field plays a large role in landing a top-paying job. .
What is a Biology Degree?
The study of Biology covers a number of different facets of the scientific world, and through the course of your degree program you may have the opportunity to specialize in a specific area of research. In general, a Biology degree gives you the opportunity to develop a foundational skillset pertaining to animals, plants, and microorganisms found in natural environments.
From studying marine life to conservation or disease research, there are a number of exciting disciplines with the broad field of Biology. A few of the courses that you can expect to see throughout the course of your degree program include:
- Virology
- Ecological methods
- Animal care, research, and conservation
- Plant and environmental biology
- Pharmaceuticals
With advancements in technology, many accredited universities are now offering online biology degree programs for students who would like greater flexibility in their studies. By pursuing your Biology degree online, you will have the opportunity to work at your own pace and log into classes at a time that is convenient for your busy schedule.
Biology Career Outlook
With the diversity of careers available to those who have graduated from a Biology degree program, there is a wide variance in the occupational outlook associated with the different jobs. It is always a good idea to research your specific field of interest using sources such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to learn more about what you can expect when entering the work force.
For example, the BLS projects that those working as conservation scientists and foresters will see 5% occupational growth by the year 2029. Additionally, biological technician and zoologists will see a 5% and 4% job increase respectively in the same time frame. While these growth rates slightly faster or on par with the national average across all occupations, it still predicts the addition of new jobs in the field – which is good news for those looking to earn their Biology degree.
For a fast-paced scientific career that lets you make an impact on understanding and protecting our world, a degree in Biology is an excellent choice! Whether you are researching in a laboratory setting, teaching at a university, or working out in the field, there are a number of ways you can turn your Biology degree into a rewarding career opportunity!
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