Those that enjoy math and science may find a job in the biology realm challenging and rewarding.
Most of these careers require a degree, but in most cases, the pay is high enough to offset the investment in college classes.
1. Biochemist
Why Become a Biochemist?
Biochemists are biological scientists that specialize in the chemical composition of organic materials.
Job Responsibilities:
- Manage laboratory teams
- Plan and conduct research projects
- Analyzing molecules
- Prepare technical reports
Career Outlook:
The median salary for a biochemist is around $93,000, though it can go up to $178,000 depending on job and education.
According to BLS, the job market is expected to grow by 11.4% until at least 2026, this is faster than the national average.
| Biochemist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $113,460 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $54.55 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 11.4% |
2. Environmental Scientist
Why Become an Environmental Scientist?
Environmental Scientists use their knowledge in a wide variety of ways including in the study of oceanography, geophysics, meteorology, and information sciences.
Job Responsibilities:
- Provide scientific proof for new laws and regulations
- Research environmentally hazardous accidents
- Data collection
- Assess effects of developing projects
Career Outlook:
An environmental scientist can make around $51,000 per year.
Those just starting their career may make around $39,000 those on the top of the scale make around $77,000 annually.
Between 2012 and 2022, the environmental scientist job market is expected to grow by 15%, which is faster than the national average.
| Environmental Scientist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $81,240 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $39.06 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 15% |
3. Forensic Scientist
Why Become a Forensic Scientist?
Forensic scientists play an important role in law enforcement.
Those that like science and medicine often pair the two together and become forensic scientists.
Job Responsibilities:
- Collecting samples from crime and murders scenes
- Analyzing blood splatter or gun residue
- Analyzing samples in a lab
- Preparing reports
- Communicating with law enforcement officers
- Communicating with coworkers
Career Outlook:
A forensic scientist generally makes around $50,000.
Those starting out can earn around $40,000, others that have been on the job for a long period may reach about $80,000.
The job outlook looks to grow by 14% through 2028.
| Forensic Scientist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $66,850 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $32.14 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 14% |
4. Biologist
Why Become a Biologist?
Biologist spends their time observing and researching organisms and wildlife.
Job Responsibilities:
- Have a keen understanding of animals and plants in their natural environment
- Research industries like environmental preservation conservation, and medicine
- Understand how living organisms live and interact with their surroundings
- Study samples under the microscope
Career Outlook:
According to BLS, the median salary for a biologist is around $63,350.
The job outlook is expected to increase by around 5%, which is lower than the employment average.
| Biologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $93,970 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $45.18 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 9% |
5. Ecologist
Why Become an Ecologist?
An ecologist studies the relationship between ecosystems, nature and applies these findings to a variety of applications.
Job Responsibilities:
- Collect and analyze data
- Maintain and calibrate instruments
- Examine ecological processes
Career Outlook:
Ecologists have a median salary of $51,000 per year, with a high of around$78,00 for those with considerable experience.
The job outlook expects to increase by 11% until at least 2026.
| Ecologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $81,240 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $39.06 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 11% |
6. Geographer
Why Become a Geographer?
Geographers use their knowledge to study our planet, the land, and its’ inhabitants.
Job Responsibilities:
- Use quantitative methods to help with research
- Gather geographic data
- Analyze the geographic distribution of physical/cultural characteristics
- Write reports on findings
Career Outlook:
The median salary for a geographer is around $80,000 per year.
This is 13.3% more growth than most jobs. This is expected to remain at this level until around 2026.
| Geographer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $86,740 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $41.70 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 13.3% |
7. Genetic Counselor
Why Become a Genetic Counselor?
Genetic counseling is a growing career, they study the likelihood of whether a family’s genetic risks can be passed down to future generations.
Job Responsibilities:
- Study possible inherited diseases
- Help patients determine if certain health issues are genetic
- Provide information and emotional support to patients
- Provide advice for prenatal and pediatric outlooks
- Works with cancer patients and neurological diseases
Career Outlook:
The median salary for a genetic counselor was $85,700 in 2020.
According to BLS, the need for genetic counselors is anticipated to grow 26% until 2030. This is much faster than average.
| Genetic Counselor Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $86,640 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $41.65 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 27% |
8. Physical Therapist
Why Become a Physical Therapist?
Physical therapists work with clients that have issues with movement due to age, illness, or injury.
Job Responsibilities:
- Meet with clients
- Review medical records and x-rays
- Perform tests on movement and strength
- Develop treatment plans
Career Outlook:
Physical therapists earn a median wage of $72,000 per year; this is 22% higher than average.
| Physical Therapist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $92,920 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $44.67 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 22% |
9. Nurse Practitioner
Why Become a Nurse Practitioner?
A nurse practitioner works with patients to assess and diagnose different types of illnesses.
Job Responsibilities:
- Works with physicians on patient care
- Provides primary care and urgent care services
- May order, review and assess tests and report to physicians
- May suggest dietary and other lifestyle changes to improve health
Career Outlook:
There is a great need for nurse practitioners as our population gets older.
Today, the median salary for a nurse practitioner is around $117,670.
The projected increase in jobs is 45% higher than most careers through 2030.
| Nurse Practitioner Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $118,040 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $56.75 |
| Education | 1-2 Years |
| Outlook | 26% |
10. Biomedical Engineer
Why Become a Biomedical Engineer?
Biomedical engineers combine math and science to improve patient care when receiving health care services.
Job Responsibilities:
- Designing instruments and devices to improve healthcare
- Delivering technical support for biomedical devices
- They create new technologies in the medical industry
- They will train clinicians and other healthcare personnel on how to use equipment
Job Outlook:
According to BLS, the median wage for a biomedical engineer is around $92,620.
It is expected to grow about 6% until 2030, this is about average.
| Biomedical Engineer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $101,020 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $48.57 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 4% |
11. Bioinformatics Engineer
Why Become a Bioinformatics Engineer?
Going into this field will need to learn a wealth of information about engineering, information technology, biology, and computer science.
Job Responsibilities:
- The development of bioinformatics methods and algorithms for genomic data generation and analysis
- Incorporate bioinformatics tools to aid in the delivery of efficient and automated pipelines for analysis
- Create and track the quality metrics for sequencing and variant detection
- Assist with the development of projects and plans
Career Outlook:
On average a bioinformatics engineer can expect to make about $97,090.
The outlook for this is career is 16% growth over average.
| Bioinformatics Engineer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $101,020 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $48.57 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 16% |
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