Career Focus Kit: Biology-Related Careers

Career Focus Kits are curated packets of information on career fields derived from secondary content areas. Each focus kid provides concise, vital information about each profiled career. Check out this Career Focus Kit highlighting biology-related careers!

To navigate to specific careers in this kit, click the buttons to the right or scroll through to access each component sequentially.

Table of Contents:

Biology-Intensive Careers

  • Biologist
  • Biological Technician
  • Marine Biologist
  • Molecular Biologist
  • Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist

Healthcare Careers

Earth Science and Natural Resource Careers

Biologist

Job Responsibilities

Job responsibilities may include:

  • Conducting both basic and applied research to increase and apply our knowledge of living organisms for various purposes such as the improvement of natural resource management, developing or improving medical and agricultural processes and products, environmental conservation and developing nanotechnology.
  • Taking inventory and identifying various organisms, such as plants, animal or communities thereof.
  • Designing, organizing and executing field studies.
  • Studying such things as the population dynamics, genetics, ecosystem or habitat of various organisms.
  • Collecting samples of various organisms.
  • Designing and conducting laboratory testing for the purpose of understanding how organisms function.
  • Analyzing and interpreting data from testing and providing detailed reports on findings/conclusions.
Reported Job Titles

This is a sample of reported job titles:

Aquatic Biologist, Aquatic Scientist, Biological Scientist, Biologist, Botanist, Horticulturist, Marine Biologist, Research Biologist, Research Scientist, Scientist

Education Level

This is a breakdown of the level of education needed for biologist careers:

57% – Master’s degree

32% – Bachelor’s degree

10% – Post-baccalaureate certificate

1%   – Other (unspecified)

Projections

Average Wages (2020): $41.00 hourly, $85,290 annual

Projected growth (2020-2030): Slower than average (1% to 5%)

Projected job openings (2020-2030): 4,200

Learn More

Want to learn more about biologist careers? Check out these additional resources:

  • Click here for a video
  • O-NET Code: 19-1029.04 (link here)
  • Holland Interest Code: IR (Investigative, Realistic)

Biological Technician

Job Responsibilities

Job responsibilities may include:

  • Performing analysis and technical duties in laboratory and field settings.
  • Providing technical assistance for scientists working in such fields as environmental science, resource management, plant and animal biology, biochemistry, health sciences and agriculture.
  • Setting up, maintaining and cleaning laboratory instruments and equipment such as microscopes, scales, pipets, and test tubes.
  • Gathering and preparing biological samples, such as blood, food, and bacteria cultures, for laboratory analysis.
Reported Job Titles

This is a sample of reported job titles:

Biological Science Laboratory Technician, Biological Science Technician, Biological Technician, Laboratory Technician, Marine Fisheries Technician, Research Assistant, Research Associate, Research Specialist, Research Technician, Wildlife Biology Technician

Education Level

This is a breakdown of the level of education needed for biologist careers:

49% – Bachelor’s degree

29% – Master’s degree

14% – Post-baccalaureate certificate

8%  – Other (unspecified)

Projections

Average Wages (2020): $22.28 hourly, $46,340 annual

Projected growth (2020-2030): Average (5% to 10%)

Projected job openings (2020-2030): 11,800

Learn More

Want to learn more about biologist careers? Check out these additional resources:

  • Click here for a video
  • O-Net Code: 19-4021.00 (link here)
  • Holland Interest Code: RIC (Realistic, Investigative, Conventional)

Marine Biologist

Job Responsibilities

Job responsibilities may include:

  • Demonstrating an understanding of marine life by studying the distribution, abundance and life histories of animals and plants in the sea, and how these aspects are governed by environmental factors.
  • Conducting research for the purpose of understanding the various forms of life that dwell within the sea.
  • Conducting laboratory and field experiments and observing how certain factors work within that environment.
  • Analyzing and interpreting data from testing and providing detailed reports on findings/conclusions.
  • Identify and classify forms of marine life.
Reported Job Titles

This is a sample of reported job titles:

Aquatic Biologist, Aquatic Scientist, Biological Scientist, Biologist, Botanist, Horticulturist, Marine Biologist, Research Biologist, Research Scientist, Scientist

Education Level

This is a breakdown of the level of education needed for biologist careers:

57% – Master’s degree

32% – Bachelor’s degree

10% – Post-baccalaureate certificate

1%  – Other (unspecified)

Projections

Average Wages (2020): $41.00 hourly, $85,290 annual

Projected growth (2020-2030): Slower than average (1% to 5%)

Projected job openings (2020-2030): 4,200

Learn More

Want to learn more about biologist careers? Check out these additional resources:

  • Click here for a video
  • O-Net Code: 19-1029.04 (link here)
  • Holland Interest Code: IR (Investigative, Realistic)

Molecular Biologist

Job Responsibilities

Job responsibilities may include:

  • Examining the source of a person’s or animal’s genetics, variation in genes and genetic expressions.
  • Determining how biological traits are carried from one generation to another, and/or analyzing viruses and bacteria.
  • Assisting with the diagnosis and treatment of infections found in humans, plants and animals.
  • Meticulously following laboratory health and safety procedure to avoid having health adversely affected by chemicals and harmful biological substances.
  • Preparing and submitting research grants to government agencies, private sponsors and other funding sources.
  • Preparing detailed reports of research findings, and communicating findings with other professionals, as they are crucial for doctors and scientists to have an accurate source of information.
Reported Job Titles

This is a sample of reported job titles:

Molecular Biology Director, Molecular Biology Professor

Education Level

This is a breakdown of the level of education needed for biologist careers:

35% – Bachelor’s degree

35% – Post-doctoral training

23% – Doctoral degree

7% – Other (unspecified)

Projections

Average Wages (2020): $41.00 hourly, $85,290 annual

Projected growth (2020-2030): Slower than average (1% to 5%)

Projected job openings (2020-2030): 4,200

Learn More

Want to learn more about biologist careers? Check out these additional resources:

  • Click here for a video
  • O-Net Code: 19-1029.02 (link here)
  • Holland Interest Code: IRA (Investigative, Realistic, Artistic)

Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist

Job Responsibilities

Job responsibilities may include:

  • Studying the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife.
  • Collecting and analyzing biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats.
  • Recommending management systems and planning for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.
  • Providing Inventory or estimating plant and wildlife populations.
  • Disseminating information by writing reports and scientific papers or journal articles, and by making presentations.
  • Checking for and ensuring compliance with environmental laws and notifying law enforcement when violations are identified.
  • Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.
Reported Job Titles

This is a sample of reported job titles:

Aquatic Biologist, Conservation Resources Management Biologist, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Fisheries Biologist, Fisheries Management Biologist, Habitat Biologist, Migratory Game Bird Biologist, Wildlife Biologist, Wildlife Manager, Zoologist

Education Level

This is a breakdown of the level of education needed for biologist careers:

42% – Bachelor’s degree

35% – Master’s degree

13% – Doctoral degree

10% – Other (unspecified)

Projections

Average Wages (2020): $31.90 hourly, $66,350 annual

Projected growth (2020-2030): Average (5% to 10%)

Projected job openings (2020-2030): 1,700

Learn More

Want to learn more about biologist careers? Check out these additional resources:

  • Click here for a video
  • O-Net Code: 19-1023.00 (link here)
  • Holland Interest Code: IR (Investigative, Realistic)