If you’re a student who loves science, is intrigued by the study of living things, and doesn’t mind investing in graduate school, a biology degree might be the perfect choice to launch you on your career path. Are you wondering what some of the career options are for a biology major? Read this list of common career choices for biology majors—plus, a description of the skills you’ll gain during your studies. Technicians must carry out studies that yield accurate results. They document results and perform calculations just as they have done when compiling reports as a biology major. Many new graduates who choose not to go on to graduate school or want to postpone graduate study find technician positions with researchers at medical schools, government agencies, non-profit research centers, or pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms. Salary and Job Outlook: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that biological technicians earned a median annual salary of $48,140 in May 2021. The top 10% earned more than $78,090 and the bottom 10% earned less than $31,170. The BLS projected that employment in this field will grow by 7% between 2020 and 2030, as fast as the average for all occupations. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology helps biochemists to understand the impact of drugs and biotechnology solutions on the human body. Presentation and writing skills cultivated as a biology major help them to present proposals and findings to colleagues and potential funding sources. Most jobs in this field will require an advanced degree. Salary and Job Outlook: The BLS estimates that biochemists earned a median annual salary of $102,270 in May 2021. The top 10% earned more than $167,210 and the bottom 10% earned less than $61,090. The BLS projected that employment in this field will grow by 5% between 2020 and 2030, slower than the average for all occupations. They must have an advanced aptitude in biology to complete the required master’s degree in the discipline. Like a biology major, they must be able to think quantitatively to assess the likelihood of various outcomes based on the genetic predisposition of the patients. Genetic counselors must have advanced knowledge of the scientific method to evaluate the usefulness of a rapidly growing body of research about the human genome. Salary and Job Outlook: The BLS estimates that genetic counselors earned a median annual salary of $80,150 in May 2021. The top 10% earned more than $121,070 and the bottom 10% earned less than $49,120. The BLS projected that employment in this field will grow by 26% between 2020 and 2030, much faster than average for all occupations. Often employed by hospitals or other healthcare companies, health communications specialists may also coordinate the institution’s public relations campaigns, marketing strategies, and community involvement. This career requires strong writing and interpersonal skills, as health communications specialists are responsible for discussing topics related to human health and disease to a wide audience. A biology major provides a strong foundation and may offer an edge over other individuals who lack a background in hard science. Salary: According to Payscale, health communications specialists earn an average annual salary of $63,335. The top 10% earned $84,000 or more and the bottom 10% earned $50,000 or less. Health educators need a solid understanding of human biology as well as verbal communication skills to convey scientific information in a language that their clients can easily comprehend. Health educators write about scientific topics like nutrition, safe sex, substance abuse, and stress reduction. Therefore, they need strong written communication skills. Salary and Job Outlook: The BLS estimates that health educators earned a median annual salary of $48,860 in May 2021. The top 10% earned more than $70,720 and the bottom 10% earned less than $30,440. The BLS projected that employment in this field will grow by 17% between 2020 and 2030, much faster than average for all occupations. These workers need to have the technological knowledge to explain how a product works. They also need the scientific knowledge to be able to explain how this product will benefit both doctor and patient. Pharmaceutical sales representatives must have a strong knowledge of chemistry, anatomy, and physiology so that they can explain to doctors how a new drug will affect their patients. Pharmaceutical or medical product sales representatives also need strong communication and interpersonal skills. A bachelor’s degree is often enough education to get started in this occupation. Salary and Job Outlook: The BLS estimates that sales representatives of technical and scientific products earned a median annual salary of $94,840 in May 2021. The top 10% earned more than $168,320 and the bottom 10% earned less than $44,460. The BLS projected that employment in this field will grow by 6% between 2020 and 2030, slower than average for all occupations. Physician assistants and nurse practitioners must have a sound understanding of human biological systems, anatomy, and physiology to diagnose medical problems. They also need a biology major’s advanced knowledge of the scientific method to interpret emerging research about various treatment options and medications. Salary and Job Outlook: The BLS estimates that physician assistants earned a median annual salary of $121,530 in May 2021. The top 10% earned more than $164,620 and the bottom 10% earned less than $77,940. The BLS projected employment in this field to grow by 31% between 2020 and 2030, much faster than average for all occupations. Nurse practitioners earned a median annual salary of $123,780 in May 2021. The top 10% earned more than $200,540 and the bottom 10% earned less than $79,870. The BLS projected that employment in this field will grow by 45% between 2020 and 2030, much faster than average for all occupations. They must be able to interpret scientific regulations related to medical services and modify programs accordingly. Medical and health services managers often hire, supervise, and evaluate health professionals and researchers. They must be able to understand the nuances of their credentials and performance as they assess candidates and employees. Salary and Job Outlook: The BLS estimates that medical and health services managers earned a median annual salary of $101,340 in May 2021. The top 10% earned more than $205,620 while the bottom 10% earned less than $60,780. The BLS projected that employment in this field will grow by 32% between 2020 and 2030, much faster than average for all occupations. Environmental attorneys support and contest environmental projects and policies based on an understanding of how they will impact the ecosystem. Medical malpractice lawyers must have the scientific knowledge required to analyze medical interventions and judge whether health professionals have acted ethically and correctly. Add to that the technical nature of physical evidence such as DNA samples, and it is easy to see why many biology majors decide to go on to law school. Salary and Job Outlook: The BLS estimates that lawyers earned a median annual salary of $127,990 in May 2021. The top 10% earned more than $208,000 while the bottom 10% earned less than $61,400. The BLS projected that employment in this field will grow by 9% between 2020 and 2030, about as fast as average for all occupations. Most analysts focus on specific industries, and biology majors are particularly well suited for working as analysts in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical products, health services, and environmental companies. Financial analysts, like biology majors, use computer-based resources to gather and analyze data to draw conclusions. They must have the writing skills to generate reports summarizing their findings. A bachelor’s degree is often enough to get started in a career as a financial analyst. Salary and Job Outlook: The BLS estimates that financial analysts earned a median annual salary of $81,410 in May 2021. The top 10% earned more than $163,640 while the bottom 10% earned less than $48,740. The BLS projected that employment in this field will grow by 6% between 2020 and 2030, about as fast as average for all occupations.
