What Can You Do with a Biology Degree?
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According to Live Science, the term biology involves the study of life. The Greek term “bios” means life, while “logos” refers to finding meaning or studying something. A biologist is a person who studies the distribution, evolution, function, growth, origin, and structure of living things. Considering how broad the term biology is, it’s not surprising that there are many different subtypes of biology.
Biochemistry, for example, focuses on the material substances that make up all living things, while cellular biology deals with the underlying cellular components and functioning. Evolutionary biology examines the origin of life and changes over time. Molecular biology concentrates on the smaller constituent parts of everything that lives. Botany is the study of agriculture and plants, while ecology sits at the interaction between living organisms and their environment. Still other subfields of the discipline include genetics (inherited diseases and genetic patterns), physiology (the investigation of functioning of living organisms), and zoology (the study of animal behavior).
For those interested in a career that studies life, earning a degree in biology can be an ideal entry-level credential. Below are ten potential careers in science to consider. Please note that in order to present the most reliable salary and job growth projections, this list was limited to scientific occupations with detailed data available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2025).
Agricultural and Food Science Technician
In this entry-level role, professionals assist food and agricultural scientists by completing tasks such as analyzing and measuring the quality of agricultural products and food. They work on a farm or ranch or in a greenhouse, laboratory, office, or processing plant. Specific duties include operating farm equipment, ensuring that agricultural production areas meet the requirements for scientific testing, measuring the ingredients of animal feed, and analyzing the chemical properties of food.
People in this position often choose a specialization in fields such as agricultural chemicals, animal health, farm machinery, fertilizers, or processing technology. Most agricultural and food science technicians have an associate degree. According to data from the BLS (May 2024), industries employing agricultural and food science technicians are as follows:
- Food manufacturing: 18 percent
- Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences: 13 percent
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state: 11 percent
- Government: 9 percent
The BLS (May 2024) expects employment opportunities to increase by eight percent between 2023 and 2033, resulting in 2,900 new positions.
Wages vary according to factors such as the cost of living in a particular area, places of employment, or types of specialization. That said, the BLS (May 2024) reports total employment of 33,400 agricultural and food scientists nationwide, with earnings as follows:
- Average annual salary: $88,590
- 10th percentile: $47,050
- 25th percentile: $60,900
- 50th percentile: $78,770
- 75th percentile: $104,170
- 90th percentile: $140,080
The cost of living in each state can be found at the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2025).
Anthropologists and Archaeologists
Anthropologists and archaeologists are responsible for studying the behavior, development, and origin of humans. This involves examining the archeological remains, culture, language, and physical characteristics of people worldwide. Professionals in this field might travel for several months at a time for fieldwork research, but most anthropologists and archeologists work for consulting firms, the government, or a research organization.
This position requires the minimum of a master’s degree and sometimes a doctorate. Specific job duties include planning social research, preparing reports and presenting findings, recording observations from fieldwork, and customizing the collection of data according to the region studied.
As per the BLS (May 2024), the nature of their work means that anthropologists and archeologists are expected to have:
- Analytical skills
- Communication skills
- Critical-thinking skills
- Observational skills
- Physical stamina
The BLS (May 2024) expects 700 new positions to be available from 2023 through 2033. This reflects an eight percent rate of growth, which is double the rate of four percent for all occupations nationwide.
Currently, there are 8,070 anthropologists and archeologists employed, earning the following wages:
- Average annual salary: $71,070
- 10th percentile: $44,510
- 25th percentile: $51,240
- 50th percentile: $64,910
- 75th percentile: $83,080
- 90th percentile: $104,510
The cost of living in each state can be found at the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2025).
Atmospheric Scientists and Meteorologists
Although not strictly related to biology, the strong scientific background imparted by a degree in the biological sciences could be an entry-level degree in understanding the macro-forces which impact life on earth.
This career involves studying the climate and weather to better understand how they affect the earth as well as human activity. The general public depends on atmospheric scientists and meteorologists to prepare them for weather emergencies such as hurricanes, floods, and blizzards. Atmospheric scientists and meteorologists occasionally complete outdoor fieldwork. One of the primary duties of this job is to measure the atmospheric pressure, dew point, humidity, temperature, wind speed, and other atmospheric properties.
A bachelor’s degree is the typical entry-level requirement for this role, although a master’s or doctorate is usually needed for research-based positions. Atmospheric scientists and meteorologists (or space scientists) use computer models to analyze data, conduct research to better understand weather patterns, and generate current weather reports, among many other duties.
The BLS (2025) predicts a 6 percent increase in the demand for atmospheric and space scientists between 2023 and 2033. This equates to 600 new employment opportunities.
Various factors affect salaries, including duties, environmental working conditions, and specialities, among others. Nationwide, BLS (May 2024) reports the following:
- Number employed: 8,780
- Average annual salary: $103,980
- 10th percentile: $49,990
- 25th percentile: $69,440
- 50th percentile: $97,450
- 75th percentile: $128,940
- 90th percentile: $160,710
One of the factors affecting salaries is the cost of living in different areas. Basic information for each state can be found at the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2025).
Biochemists and Biophysicists
Biochemists and biophysicists study physical and chemical principles of living things as well as biological processes. This includes cell development, disease, growth, and hereditary aspects. Most people in this position work in a laboratory or office.
For some positions, bachelor or master’s degrees may qualify, however, a doctoral degree is expected for most positions, especially independent research and development. Some of the many duties of a biochemist or biophysicist include planning and conducting complex research projects, managing a team of laboratory technicians, writing grant applications to secure funding, and analyzing, isolating, and synthesizing DNA, fats, proteins, and other types of molecules.
Individuals interested in biochemistry or biophysics will find that it’s a reasonably fast-growing profession. The BLS (2025) expects 3,200 new positions to become available between 2023 and 2033. That’s a growth rate of nine percent, which is more than double the rate of four percent for all occupations. Approximately 60 percent are employed in scientific research and development services.
The 34,520 Biochemists and biophysicists employed in the United States earn the following salaries, as per the BLS (May 2024):
- Average annual salary: $115,570
- 10th percentile: $64,890
- 25th percentile: $78,730
- 50th percentile: $103,650
- 75th percentile: $134,460
- 90th percentile: $168,900
Earnings vary among states and areas, depending on factors such as specializations, environment, and experience. A big factor is the cost of living. Details of the cost of housing, utilities, and transportation in each state may be found at the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2025).
Chemical Technicians
A chemical technician helps chemical engineers and chemists develop, produce, research, and test chemical processes and products. Most work is conducted in a laboratory or manufacturing facility. Chemical technicians will conduct experiments if they work in a laboratory or monitor the process of production if they work in a manufacturing facility.
The position of a chemical technician is entry-level and requires a minimum of an associate degree. The specific duties of chemical technicians are setting up laboratory equipment and keeping it in good repair, preparing chemical solutions, determining the problem with malfunctioning equipment, and conducting and interpreting results of physical and chemical experiments.
Contemporary interest in environmental issues is expected to contribute to an increased demand for chemical technicians. Pollution control, clean energy, and sustainability are all concerns that affect job demand. The BLS (MAY 2024) expects growth of five percent between 2023 and 2033, which is 3,200 new employment opportunities that decade.
As with most professions, salaries vary due to a multitude of factors, such as level of education, experience, locale, and industry. Cost of living can have a major impact. Currently, the BLS (May 2024) reports the following earnings data of the 55,640 individuals working as chemical technicians nationwide:
- Average annual salary: $61,300
- 10th percentile: $39,030
- 25th percentile: $46,680
- 50th percentile: $57,790
- 75th percentile: $72,940
- 90th percentile: $90,990
The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2025) compiles cost of living data for each state.
Conservation Scientists and Foresters
Professionals in this position are responsible for managing the quality of natural resources, including rangelands, forests, and parks. Most people in this occupation work for social advocacy organizations, private landowners, or for city, state, or federal government.
Most positions require a bachelor’s degree. Specifically, conservation scientists and foresters negotiate land use contracts, establish plans to manage the resources of forest lands, and oversee conservation efforts. These duties are only a small representation of what is expected.
Although much of their data is combined, the BLS (May 2024) does report some statistics separately, as shown below.
Projected growth between 2023 and 2033:
- Conservation scientists and foresters: five percent, resulting in 1,900 new positions
- Conservation scientists: six percent, for 1,400 new job openings
- Foresters: three percent: creating 500 more employment opportunities
The BLS (May 2024) also separated the wage data as follows:
| Conservations Scientists and Foresters | Conservation Scientists | Foresters | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 35,250 | 25,590 | 9,650 |
| Average annual salary | $74,410 | $74,310 | $74,670 |
| 10th percentile | $45,880 | $45,260 | $49,240 |
| 25th percentile | $55,500 | $53,190 | $58,810 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $69,060 | $67,950 | $70,660 |
| 75th percentile | $87,050 | $87,980 | $85,450 |
| 90th percentile | $106,660 | $107,720 | $103,220 |
The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2025) compiles cost of living statistics for each state.
Epidemiologists
Epidemiologists are public health officials who determine the causes and patterns of diseases and injuries affecting humans. Their goal is to reduce negative health outcomes through community education, health policy, and research. They typically work in a laboratory, in an office for a local or state government health department, in a hospital, or at a university or college.
Epidemiologists usually have a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in public health. Some of their duties include planning and directing research studies of public health issues, managing public health programs, and communicating their research findings to the public, policymakers, and healthcare practitioners.
The field of epidemiology is growing at a rapid rate. According to the BLS (May 2024), 2,100 new positions are expected to be available between 2023 and 2023. That reflects a growth rate of 19 percent, which is nearly five times the four percent rate for all occupations.
As of May 2024, the BLS reports the following employment data:
- Number employed: 11,460
- Average annual salary: $94,160
- 10th percentile: $56,950
- 25th percentile: $68,040
- 50th percentile: $83,980
- 75th percentile: $106,040
- 90th percentile: $134,860
Salaries can vary according to level of education, duties, and experience, among other factors. Skills and specialties also affect pay. For example, PayScale (June 2025), which relies on self-reported data lists ten of the most popular skills. The following five have the greatest beneficial effect on average pay:
- Clinical Research: $119,143
- Proposal Writing: $90,000
- Program Management: $88,652
- SPSS: $85,000
- Project Management: $81,721
Of course, pay levels also depend on the cost of living. The Payscale data shows the cost of living in the major metropolitan areas. The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2025) compiles cost-of-living statistics for each state. The BLS has pay rates for each state.
Medical Scientists
The primary mission of medical scientists is to improve human health. They are frequently involved in clinical trials and other types of investigation methods. Medical scientists typically work in an office or laboratory.
Medical scientists are generally employed by (BLS):
- Research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences: 34 percent
- Hospitals: state, local, and private: 22 percent
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state: 13 percent
- Medical and diagnostic laboratories: 6 percent
- Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing: 4 percent
It is common for them to have a doctoral degree in biology or another type of life science, but they have the option of earning a medical degree in place of or in addition to a doctorate in biology. Common examples of duties include designing and carrying out research studies on human diseases and methods of prevention, creating and testing medical devices, helping the public to avoid contamination from contagious disease, and writing research grant proposals.
As of May 2024, the BLS reports the following employment data:
- Number employed: 167,760
- Average annual salary: $111,430
- 10th percentile: $61,770
- 25th percentile: $76,820
- 50th percentile: $99,770
- 75th percentile: $132,900
- 90th percentile: $167,600
The cost of living in each state is available from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2025).
Microbiologists
The role of a microbiologist is to study algae, bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses, and other bacteria to gain an understanding of how these tiny organisms grow and interact within their natural environment. Most microbiologists work in an office or laboratory, where they spend most of their time conducting scientific experiments.
While the entry-level requirement is a bachelor’s degree, microbiologists should expect to earn their doctorate if they are interested in pursuing independent research at a college or university. Some of their specific job duties include isolating bacteria cultures, supervising biological technicians in their duties, and classifying microorganisms taken from animals, humans, and plants.
Microbiologists have a positive job outlook, according to the BLS (2025). Their profession is predicted to grow at a rate of seven percent between 2023 and 2033, almost twice as fast as the four percent expected for all occupations. That equals 1,600 new employment opportunities by the end of the decade.
Additional data compiled by the BLS (May 2024) shows the following wages for the 19,760 microbiologists:
- Average annual salary: $95,200
- 10th percentile: $51,220
- 25th percentile: $63,920
- 50th percentile: $87,330
- 75th percentile: $120,750
- 90th percentile: $150,650
The five highest-paying states are:
- Massachusetts: Number of employees 2,100; average salary $119,850
- California: 2,510; $115,910
- Maryland: 2,040; $108,870
- Georgia: 990; $103,880
- Montana: 110; $100,700
The states with the greatest number of employees are:
- California: Number of employees 2,510; average salary $115,910
- Massachusetts: 2,110; $119,850
- Maryland: 2,040; $108,870
- North Carolina: 1,320; $92,260
- New York: 1,090; $94,660
The cost of living in each state is available from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2025).
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
The main function of zoologists and wildlife biologists is to study animals and wildlife to understand how they interact with their environment. They study animal behavior, their physical characteristics, and the impact of human actions on natural and wildlife habitats. They likely work outdoors, as well as in an office and laboratory.
A bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational credential for these positions. However, zoologists and wildlife biologists should earn a master’s degree for scientific or higher-level investigative work or a doctorate to conduct independent research. Typical duties include collecting specimens and biological data for analysis, developing and conducting animal studies, and implementing programs to reduce the impact of human behavior on animals.
The job outlook for zoologists and wildlife biologists has remained stable, echoing the four percent growth (BLS 2025) for all occupations expected between 2023 and 2033. Approximately 67 percent of these 16,920 professionals are employed by government entities.
Their annual pay rates are as follows, according to the BLS (May 2024):
- Average annual salary: $77,920
- 10th percentile: $48,240
- 25th percentile: $58,360
- 50th percentile: $72,860
- 75th percentile: $90,590
- 90th percentile: $113,350
Cost-of-living information is available from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2025).
CareerOneStop is another source of information nationwide and by state. Their searchable databases include wages and employment for specialties, licensing requirements, and job search tips. They also include resources for job seekers grouped into categories such as new graduates, disabled individuals, and 55+, among others.
