Top 10 Jobs for Biology Majors

Biology is the study of living things. Given the sheer number of living organisms on the planet, there are a lot of jobs for biology majors across a plethora of sectors. Some biology majors become researchers and run labs, while others become dentists or doctors. The options are almost endless.

And because there are so many options for those studying biology, you may not be sure where to start your career planning. Below is a list of 10 jobs for biology majors to help you figure it out!

10 Jobs for Biology Majors

One of the largest employer of biology majors is the U.S. government. You can work for various agencies, like the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Agriculture, or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, biologists can find work in the private sector as well. Many of the jobs on this list require an advanced degree, but there are some you can do with a bachelor’s degree.

Before we give you the details, here are some common job titles for biology majors and the estimated median pay for people with zero to one years of experience.

1. Researcher

Many jobs for biology majors are research-based. Interestingly, a lot of the work may take place outside of the lab. A biology researcher gathers samples for testing and analysis or interviews people about the side effects they’re experiencing from medications. While you can be hired as a researcher, most people start as a technician, then move up to the researcher role.

2. Medical Writer

Medical writers combine art and science to communicate valuable medical information. They can work for a medical publisher, producing content about specific ailments, the latest research findings, or new treatments. Pharmaceutical and medical device makers often employ medical writers to create reports about the company’s products and clinical testing. Sometimes the medical writer designs ads for the company’s products or writes regulatory documents for the government.

3. Agricultural Technician

Often an entry-level role, agricultural technicians assist agricultural scientists with experiments and research. The specifics vary as agricultural scientists have a focus area like trying to improve crop yield and quality or increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease and insects. The agricultural technician may collect samples from crops or animals and often maintains the lab. 

4. Science Teacher

Biology majors can, of course, teach biology. With a bachelor’s degree and a teaching certificate, you can teach high school biology or middle school science. If you want to teach at the college level, you’ll likely need a Ph.D. Depending on your interests, you can also teach more than a general biology course and focus on microbiology, zoology, botany, anatomy, or ecology.

5. Health Communications

Health communications and medical writing are similar in that you’re communicating health or medical information. However, health communications is different in that it focuses specifically on promoting the health and well-being of people instead of reporting on data and outcomes. This includes things like creating public awareness campaigns about managing disabilities or getting vaccinated, but it can also be working in a hospital’s public relations department.

6. Health Educator

Health educators also communicate health information, but their focus is on teaching people how to improve and maintain their health. They may work in a health care setting or a public health department and are responsible for organizing health and wellness events (like teaching a seminar on heart health or installing a car seat properly). 

7. Physician Assistant

A physician assistant (PA) is qualified to examine, diagnose, and treat patients. While they work independently and sometimes act as a primary care physician, PAs also work under a physician’s supervision. PAs work in hospitals and private practices in nearly all specialties.

8. Pharmaceutical Sales

Pharmaceutical sales representatives market and sell their company’s products to doctors and hospitals. Though a large portion of the job is sales and marketing, a pharmaceutical rep needs a solid scientific background. You’ll have to explain how the product works, what the potential side effects are, and warn about possible interactions.

9. Geneticist

Geneticists study genetic materials to understand how genes evolve and interact. A major component of the work is learning more about how genes pass information from one generation to the next. Some geneticists focus on how genetic information is transferred, while others work on treating genetically inherited illnesses and conditions.

10. Biomedical Engineer

Though you can pursue a degree in biomedical engineering, it’s possible to become a biomedical engineer with a biology degree.

Biomedical engineers design medical equipment and devices. This spans a broad range of tasks, including designing computer software to run medical devices, developing new drug treatments and therapies, or designing artificial body parts (like knees).

Top Skills for Biology Majors

No mater which biology job you pursue, these skills will come in handy.

• Research skills: to help you identify problems and figure out a course of action
• Analytical skills: so you can design experiments and interpret the results
• Attention to detail: to make sure you don’t miss anything
• Communication skills: biologist have to present their findings verbally and in writing
• Logical thinking: to predict outcomes and plan the next steps
• Collaboration: you’ll work with other biologists, teams, and stakeholders to get the job done

Not sure if this is the right career path for you? Check out other career possibilities.

Image credit: Canva

Written by

Rachel Pelta →

Head Writer

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Rachel Pelta is the Head Writer at Forage. Previously, she was a Content Specialist at FlexJobs, writing articles for job seekers and employers. Her work has been featured in Fast Company, The Ladders, MSN, and Money Talks News.