Top Biology Degree Jobs
Biology degree jobs are almost as plentiful and varied as the organisms inhabiting the planet. For many people, a biology degree is a step on the way to medical school or another health care specialty. But there are plenty of biology major jobs that don’t involve going anywhere near a stethoscope or drawing up patient charts, including lab-based research, direct involvement in policy, or even the sale of new prescription drugs.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 3 million people are employed in biology careers. Of those workers, 69% hold jobs that require at least a bachelor's degree and 58% have an advanced degree.
Using data from the BLS and Monster, we put together a list of jobs that answers the question, "What can you do with a biology degree?"
Popular Biology Degree Jobs
- Biologist
- Biomedical engineer
- Environmental scientist
- Food scientist
- Forensic scientist
- Geographer
- Hydrologist
- Industrial hygienist
- Microbiologist
- Pharmaceutical Sales
- Zoologist
1. Biologist
What you’d do: As far as biology degree jobs go, file this one under "very obvious." The job description for a biologist depends on your specialty. Most biologists spend their days studying organisms and conducting research and experiments. Most work occurs within the lab, but not always. For example, plant biologists and environmental biologists are often in the field, observing their subjects in their native habitats.
What you'd need: Your bachelor’s degree can get you in the door, but to earn a big-time salary, you’ll want to pursue a master’s or a Ph.D.
What you’d make: The median salary for a biologist is $73,279 per year.
Find biologist jobs on Monster.
2. Biomedical Engineer
What you’d do: Biomedical engineers design and create the equipment used by health care professionals and researchers. Although “biomedical” comes first in the name, the emphasis is on engineering in this role, with the goal of developing devices and software that are specialized for medical and biological work.
What you'd need: Enhance your biology degree with appropriate electives from the engineering department. To enjoy better job prospects, you can also pursue a graduate degree in biomedical engineering.
What you’d make: The median salary for a biomedical engineer is $72,106 per year.
Find biomedical engineer jobs on Monster.
3. Environmental Scientist
What you’d do: A good deal of biology major jobs seek to lessen humanity’s negative impact on the planet, and environmental scientists are the ultimate guardians of good. Environmental scientists are involved in pollution cleanup and they also advise government and business officials on how to reduce waste and avoid harmful missteps.
What you'd need: Your bachelor’s degree qualifies you for entry-level work. Graduate-level work in your specialty will help your career progress more quickly.
What you’d make: The median salary for an environmental scientist is $72,892 per year.
Find environmental scientist jobs on Monster.
4. Food Scientist
What you’d do: The kitchen is a food scientist’s primary laboratory. Food scientists have various areas of specialty, including research (working on better food additives or storage methods to make food safe and usable for longer periods) and quality assurance (working with regulatory agencies or overseeing food production for a business).
What you'd need: A bachelor’s degree in biology, microbiology, or a related field qualifies you for entry level, but advanced degrees are expected for mid-career and senior jobs.
What you’d make: The median salary for a food scientist is $54,332 per year.
Find food scientist jobs on Monster.
5. Forensic Scientist
What you’d do: Of all biology degree jobs, this one has arguably the most notoriety thanks to TV shows. Forensic scientists aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence. As a forensic scientist, you would typically specialize either in crime scene investigation or laboratory analysis.
What you’d need: In addition to a bachelor’s degree, on-the-job training is generally required if you want to investigate crimes or work in a lab.
What you’d make: The median salary for a forensic scientist is $53,526 per year.
Find forensic scientist jobs on Monster.
6. Geographer
What you’d do: Geographers study the Earth’s natural environment and its human and animal inhabitants. The occupation is broken into two categories: physical geographers, who study the physical aspects of the Earth like glaciers and mountains, and human geographers, who study cultures and their political and economic characteristics.
What you’d need: Your bachelor’s degree is good for federal government and entry-level positions, but advanced degrees in geography or geographic information systems (GIS) will advance your career.
What you’d make: The median salary for a geographer is $88,900 per year.
Find geographer jobs on Monster.
7. Hydrologist
What you’d do: Using their expertise of water quality and availability, hydrologists study water movement. Their time is generally split between working in the field, where they may find themselves wading into lakes and streams to collect samples or read monitoring equipment, and an office, where they use computers to analyze data and model their findings.
What you’d need: While your bachelor’s degree qualifies you for entry-level work, some workers begin their careers with a master’s degree.
What you’d make: The median salary for a hydrologist is $78,476 per year.
Find hydrologist jobs on Monster.
8. Industrial Hygienist
What you’d do: An industrial hygienist kind of takes care of buildings and physical structures the way doctors take care of human bodies. These workers anticipate and identify workplace hazards to improve the health and safety of the people in and around the structures. For example they are on the lookout for asbestos and radiation, proper air quality, hazardous waste management, and the like.
What you’d need: A bachelor’s degree in engineering, chemistry, physics, or other related physical science, plus three years of experience in the field.
What you’d make: The median salary for an industrial hygiene specialist is $70,091 per year.
Find industrial hygienist jobs on Monster.
9. Microbiologist
What you’d do: Microbiologists conduct scientific experiments and analyze results, studying how microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi and parasites, live, grow and interact with their environments.
What you’d need: Your bachelor’s degree will help you to break into the field, but a Ph.D. is required to carry out independent research or to work at a university.
What you’d make: The median salary for a microbiologist is $72,897 per year.
Find microbiologist jobs on Monster.
10. Pharmaceutical Sales
What you’d do: Jobs for biology majors don’t always have a primary focus on the sciences. Pharmaceutical sales reps promote new drugs to doctors and other medical professionals for them to prescribe to patients. Communication and persuasion skills are crucial in this role, but so are knowledge of pharmacology and chemistry, and an interest in the business side of medicine.
What you'd need: Your bachelor’s degree meets the entry-level requirements; a minor in sales, marketing and advertising will make you a stronger candidate.
What you’d make: The median salary for a pharmaceutical sales representative is $87,713 per year.
Find pharmaceutical sales jobs on Monster.
11. Zoologist
What you’d do: Zoologists and wildlife biologists study animals—either in the wild or in captivity—and their behavior to see how they interact with their natural habitats.
What you’d need: A bachelor’s degree is needed for entry-level positions, but for high-level investigative or scientific work, you’ll need an advanced degree to lead independent research or obtain a university research position.
What you’d make: The median salary for a wildlife biologist is $53,533 per year.
Find zoologist jobs and wildlife biologist jobs on Monster.
Find more jobs and salaries for biology majors on Monster. We can show you what's possible, whether you have a microbiology degree, environmental biology degree, or another related career path.
Start Pursuing Biology Careers
Biology degree jobs can lead to an exciting and lucrative career in the sciences. Need some help getting your foot in the door? Make a free profile on Monster and we can connect you to recruiters, send you job recommendations, help you with your resume, and much more.