For those who want to learn more about living things, earning a biology degree may be a terrific educational option. Some biology graduates choose to enroll in medical or pharmaceutical school to become doctors or pharmacists, while others seek other fulfilling professions. This post explores 30 biology careers that you can pursue with a biology degree (without enrolling in a medical or pharmacy program).
30 occupations in biology careers that you may obtain without attending medical school
You can become qualified for a variety of jobs by taking biology courses at an approved college or university and receiving a degree in the subject. Your work possibilities can increase even further if you pursue additional education such as graduate school or specialized career courses. With an undergraduate degree in biology, you could start the following careers:
1. A lab technician
National average yearly pay: $51,248
Primary responsibilities: Conducting experiments and keeping a laboratory atmosphere are two of a laboratory technician’s key responsibilities in a biology career. They carry out investigations, compile information, check equipment, collect samples, and sterilize workspaces. Typically, lab technicians work under the direction of a scientist or researcher.
Given that hiring managers often prefer individuals with at minimum a high school graduation, this can be a terrific entry-level position. Candidates having an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in biology, lab science, or a similar discipline are preferred by the majority of employers.
2. Professor of Biology
National average yearly pay: $55,074
Primary responsibilities: Biology professors in a biology career teach college or university students about the subject of biology. They organize and deliver lessons, give out homework, conduct, and grade exams. They must provide students with clear, succinct explanations of complex material as well as respond to their inquiries. Candidates for a career as a biology professor typically pursue a doctorate or Ph.D. in biology because companies normally need college-level lecturers to hold at least a master’s degree in the discipline. The research project of their graduation thesis usually informs their area of expertise as an instructor.
3. A forensic expert
National average yearly pay: $61,214
Primary responsibilities: A forensic scientist in a biology career examines physical evidence collected at a crime scene to discover hints about the specifics of an incident. They accomplish this by carrying out scientific, chemical, and other procedures in a lab setting. They collaborate in an investigation and crime resolution with detectives, police officers, and other experts. A bachelor’s degree in a natural discipline, such as biology or chemistry, is typically required for this position. Naturally, the greatest option to be a strong contender for this position is too major in forensic science.
4. An environmental scientist
National average yearly salary: $62,577
Primary responsibilities: An environmental scientist in a biology career performs environmental science research to safeguard natural resources, promote human health, and address environmental problems. They might try to lessen or end issues like deforestation, pollution, and climate change. Most people who want to become environmental scientists earn bachelor’s degrees in biology, environmental science, or a closely related subject. These students investigate topics like ecology, geology, and biology as part of their academic study to comprehend environmental challenges.
5. Microbiologist
National average yearly salary: $67,798
Primary responsibilities: A microbiologist in a biology career studies the features and roles of microbes in environments. They might research bacteria, algae, fungi, viruses, or parasites in addition to plant pests and illnesses. Typically, they aim to comprehend the origin, development, life cycle, interactions with other species, and regeneration of microbes. Advancements in the sciences of the environment, agriculture, and health can all be facilitated by this understanding. A bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, biology, microbiology or a strongly related discipline is typically required for applicants in this field.
6. A medical writer
National average yearly salary: $72,466
Primary responsibilities: The main responsibilities of a medical writer in a biology career are to produce articles on subjects relating to medicine, science, and other types of research to increase public awareness and impart knowledge. They might write content for websites, articles, magazine manuscripts, and abstracts. For instance, a medical writer might provide an informative piece on a certain ailment, its symptoms, and possible treatments. Medical writing job recruiters frequently search for applicants having educational credentials in a scientific discipline like chemistry or biology. Additionally, having medical and healthcare experience can assist you in standing out as a candidate for this position.
7. A physician’s assistant
National average yearly salary: $73,509
Primary responsibilities: A physician assistant in a biology career assists a doctor in diagnosing and treating patients in a variety of medical specialties, including primary care, emergency treatment, and psychiatry. They carry out activities that include conducting exams, making diagnoses, directing laboratory tests, writing prescriptions, and helping with procedures. Candidates for jobs as physician assistants often need a master’s degree in a medical or scientific subject and expertise in patient care. Obtaining proper educational training in biology helps prepare you to perform various tasks associated with a physician assistant’s profession, such as helping with lab work and giving medical care.
8. Bioprocess engineer
National average yearly salary: $75,453
Primary responsibilities: A bioprocess engineer in a biology career creates biological systems and products that use live things or plant molecules. These might be foods, agricultural goods, biofuels, medicines, and water filtering techniques. People in this position often have deep knowledge of how materials connect as well as skills in chemical and biological processes. Students in this field typically obtain chemistry or biology bachelor’s degrees. Additionally, many people obtain master’s degrees in bioprocess engineering.
9. Licensed nurse
National average yearly salary: $79,202
Primary responsibilities: A registered nurse in a biology career is a qualified health care provider who gives patients with various ailments medical care and health education. People in this position typically work in medical settings such as clinics, hospitals, care homes, and other care institutions. They might do tasks like taking vital signs, documenting medical history, identifying patient health issues, delivering medication, and giving directions for at-home care. A nursing associate degree is required at the very least for candidates looking to become registered nurses. A passing grade on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) is among the qualifications for this profession.
10. A nurse practitioner
National average yearly salary: $80,775
Primary responsibilities: A nurse practitioner (NP) in a biology career is primarily responsible for evaluating, diagnosing, and treating patients with particular health issues. They usually focus on a particular field, such as obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, gerontology, cardiovascular care, orthopedic medicine, or newborn care. Those who wish to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner often obtain a Bachelor of Science in nursing, register as nurses, and then finish a graduate-level program leading to a Master’s or Doctoral degree in nursing. Additionally, they must succeed on the national NP board certification exam.
11. A biologist
National average yearly salary: $80,829
Primary responsibilities: The main responsibilities of a biologist in a biology career are to investigate the life cycles, interactions, and surroundings of people, animals, plants, microorganisms, and other species. This assists in educating people about the earth, preserving the well-being of all living things, and resolving environmental problems. Candidates must finish at least a biology bachelor’s degree to be eligible for entry-level positions in the field. Choosing a specialization in a particular field, including genetic and cellular biology, ecology, or biochemistry, can be beneficial. For more advanced research and managerial positions, candidates may also obtain a master’s or Ph.D. degree.
12. Biomedical Engineer
National average yearly salary: $81,028
Primary responsibilities: A biomedical engineer in a biology career creates and manufactures biomedical tools like artificial organs, prosthetic limbs, and diagnostic equipment. To ensure that the equipment is still usable, they install, manage, and repair it. To comprehend problems in the healthcare sector and develop solutions, those in this industry frequently carry out in-depth research and work with medical specialists. To become biomedical engineers, students typically acquire a bachelor’s degree in biology, bioengineering, or a related discipline.
13. A physical therapist
National average yearly salary: $81,327
Primary responsibilities: A physical therapist in a biology career treats and rehabilitates patients who have had injuries or who have musculoskeletal problems. These professionals assist in healing, mobility restoration, and pain management for patients. Employers sometimes look for applicants with an approved associate’s or bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy, physiology, biology, anatomy, nursing, or a similar field when recruiting for physical therapist positions. To develop their practical abilities and expertise in the field, some students can decide to pursue biology in the classroom while also finishing a distinct physical therapy degree.
14. Research scientist
National average yearly salary: $87,838
Primary responsibilities: A research scientist in a biology career conducts studies to collect and analyze data and come to practical findings about problems in the scientific field. These studies could be conducted in the form of trials and testing in the laboratory, tests in the field, interviews, or surveys. They must adhere to specific scientific procedures and standards to present their research to others and discuss their findings. They might be employed in the medical industry, biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, or political science. People in this field typically hold a bachelor’s degree in a research-related discipline, however many also hold master’s or doctoral degrees.
15. Manager of regulatory affairs
National average yearly salary: $96,215
Primary responsibilities: A regulatory affairs manager in a biology career must make sure that a firm’s products comply with government requirements. They might deal with things like submitting applications, scheduling meetings with officials, inspecting buildings, and creating and implementing rules. When hiring for this position, employers frequently look for applicants with a bachelor’s degree in business management or a closely related discipline as well as in-depth familiarity with legal and regulatory requirements. You can be ready to carry out the responsibilities of a regulatory relations manager for biological goods by earning a double major in business administration and biology.
16. Consultant in life sciences
National average yearly salary: $101,641
Primary responsibilities: A life sciences consultant in a biology career offers qualified counsel and recommendations on how biotech, pharmaceutical, healthcare, and medical organizations might enhance patients’ health. These consultants assist companies in making decisions and offer medical care that lengthens and enhances the life quality of individuals. A Doctorate in life sciences, biology, or a related field is normally necessary to work as a consultant in this field. However, if you get a bachelor’s degree, you can start working as a technician or assistant and enter the profession.
17. Biotech advisor
National average yearly salary: $134,335
Primary responsibilities: A biotech consultant in a biology career provides organizations or people with professional guidance regarding biotech products and services. People in this position frequently have extensive knowledge of how biotechnology might improve a company’s efficiency or aid a doctor in treating a patient’s condition. Biotech consultants frequently have an extensive understanding of cutting-edge treatments and medical solutions. Most people who want to work as biotech consultants have degrees in biology, biotechnology, or another area of the biological sciences or business.
18. A science instructor
National average yearly salary: $63,683
Primary responsibilities: Science teachers in a biology career are in charge of developing and implementing teaching materials for the subjects they teach. They also put a lot of effort into keeping student information and evaluating assignments. To ensure student achievement, they may also work with other instructors and members of the school staff to give one-on-one support to students. All-grade-level science educators occasionally need more training, so they might obtain a master’s degree in a particular field like biology.
19. Health advocate
National average yearly salary: $41,225
Primary responsibilities: Health advocates in a biology career are experts who assist individuals in properly participating in their medical care. They might help patients in completing paperwork and deciphering challenging diagnoses. They might also follow patients to sessions and provide them with emotional support. A small medical facility or a larger medical institution may employ health advocates.
20. A nutritionist
National average yearly salary: $41,657
Primary responsibilities: A nutritionist’s primary responsibilities in a biology career include developing individualized dietary programs for patients, aiding patients in achieving their health objectives naturally or by supplementation, and providing patient education for sickness prevention and encouraging a healthy lifestyle. These professions may meet particular qualification requirements based on the state in which they reside. Work environments for nutritionists frequently include clinics, hospitals, and private practices.
21. Research associate
National average yearly salary: $40,425
Primary responsibilities: An academic institution’s lab in a biology career may host a research assistant’s workplace. The main duties of these experts include supervising and assisting active research initiatives. They may also be responsible for carrying out statistical models, finishing research projects on a range of biologically related subjects, and assembling reports for scholarly publications.
22. Copywriter
National average yearly salary: $52,486
Primary responsibilities: Copywriters in a biology career are experts who organize and produce content for a company. They might have areas of expertise, like health care. Healthcare copywriters usually concentrate on generating content about healthcare for marketing goals, helping an organization build a marketing plan, and fact-checking and revising the work of other writers who write about health. A biology degree can be beneficial to health copywriters since it equips them with the foundational information they need to produce accurate, interesting writing about biology and universal healthcare.
23. A forensic scientist
National average yearly salary: $60,553
Primary responsibilities: Forensic scientists in a biology career gather biological evidence from crime scenes in collaboration with policemen and other law enforcement officers. Additionally, they might examine and evaluate these samples, then record and present their scientific results. They also have other responsibilities including general crime scene assistance and case assistance, which includes giving testimony in court on the samples they examined.
24. A pharmaceutical salesperson
National average yearly salary: $69,748
Primary responsibilities: The presentation and sale of medical technology fall within the purview of pharmaceutical sales representatives in a biology career. They might collaborate with private practices, clinics, or hospitals. They might also create marketing materials for speeches and other consumer outreach initiatives. They frequently exhibit new products at marketing-related events. These experts frequently gather and save client data for use in a CRM system or another medium in the future.
25. Nonprofit work
National average yearly salary: £31,787
Primary responsibilities: Those with a biology degree may also find wonderful employment in nonprofits. There are numerous alternatives for those interested in leveraging their biology expertise in the nonprofit sector for biology careers, ranging from the Innocence Project, an advocacy organization that employs DNA evidence to exonerate the unfairly imprisoned, to Scientista, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting and assisting women interested in STEM. Idealist.org is a wonderful tool for looking at nonprofits because the search feature allows you to choose your area of expertise.
26. Genetic Adviser
National average yearly salary: £31,365 to £37,890
Primary responsibilities: Genetic counselors in a biology career analyze clients’ medical and family histories to provide risk information regarding diseases and genetic abnormalities. They are frequently consulted before conception to predict the health of the offspring depending on the genetic makeup of the parents. Genetic counselors need to have a firm grasp of biology, particularly genetics, to comprehend how genes contribute to diseases and disorders.
27. Communications specialist in health
National average yearly salary: £35,033
Primary responsibilities: Health communications in a biology career might be a suitable middle ground for somebody divided between a career in biology and public relations. The responsibility of a health communications professional is to educate the public about health-related topics. Although it is not necessary, having a biology background might be useful in teaching audiences about the consequences of health issues like communicable illnesses.
28. Lawyer
National average yearly salary: £30,000
Primary responsibilities: Attorneys with a background in biology are sought after in many different legal fields. There is the field of patent law, where lawyers represent clients trying to get patents. This field frequently requires that lawyers have a bachelor’s degree in a specialized field, like biology. Understanding the effects of pollution and development projects on the environment and human health can help with environmental law (such as dams, buildings, etc.). An additional career path is that of a medical malpractice attorney, who uses biological expertise and data to accuse medical personnel of unethical behavior or negligence.
29. Park Ranger
National average yearly salary: £23950
Primary responsibilities: Utilize your biological knowledge in nature! Park grounds must be safeguarded and preserved at the municipal, state, and federal levels by park rangers in a biology career. The public’s education regarding the background and ecology of parks is another duty of park rangers. Thus, it is encouraged to have a foundation in biology, particularly ecology.
30. Medical Technician in Emergency
National average yearly salary: £26563
Primary responsibilities: EMTs in a biology career, also referred to as emergency medical technicians, offer emergency medical assistance to people in need. Despite not needing to attend medical school, becoming an EMT requires official training and certification. As one might anticipate from a vocation that deals with people directly, a strong background in human physiology, anatomy, and biology is necessary.
Professional experience
It’s essential to gain experience in the field of biology that interests you. In a market where jobs are competitive, meaningful experience demonstrates your dedication to the field, improves your practical abilities, and gives you the chance to network with other professionals.
Professional experience might provide you with a helpful understanding of the work if you’re undecided about the field of biology you would like to pursue.
Some biology degree programs include an annual industrial placement, and you might be qualified for a grant or bursary to help pay for it. Some additionally provide both domestic and international work placements. At your institution, it might also be feasible to finish an undergraduate research internship.
Relevant volunteer or part-time employment is also beneficial, in addition to internships and professional experiences. Look for employment chances with companies like:
- Facilities for environmental protection
- Science or natural history museums
- Pharmaceutical businesses
- Clinical and research laboratories
- Schools
- Zoos or animal hospitals.
An excellent resource for finding businesses and organizations that provide summer and sandwich year placements is the Royal Society of Biology – Studentships & Placements.
Common employers
- Among the companies hiring recent graduates for positions in biology careers are:
- Colleges and hospitals that conduct clinical research
- Firms in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals
- Private hospitals and NHS trusts
- Health, environmental, and conservation charities at the national and international levels
- Local government
- Public health and government labs
- Consultancies for science and technology
- Colleges and universities
- The water sector
- Outreach organizations like science centers, museums, and broadcasting corporations.
Numerous graduates of biology seek careers in fields including business, finance, government service, marketing, and sales in addition to those in the research, teaching, and health fields.
Conclusion
You can work in the biological sciences in a wide range of positions after receiving a degree in biology. Some firms prefer candidates with graduate degrees, while others may hire those with undergraduate degrees. Your employment search can be honed and you can gain valuable time by finding out which occupations you can seek with a biology undergraduate degree and without attending graduate school.
Frequently Asked Questions about biology careers
- Can I use my biology degree to work at a hospital?
Registered nurses, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine techs, and physician assistants are among the hospital positions that can be obtained with a biology bachelor’s degree. These positions can also be found in hospitals, clinics, physician offices, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, governmental organizations, the military, and more.
- What kinds of BSC are there for non-medical fields?
A student can choose from a variety of non-medical courses, such as a bachelor’s degree in physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, computer science, etc.
- Is BSC without a medical degree challenging?
How challenging is the Non-Medical stream? Yes and no, I suppose. A lot of students have given the non-medical stream negative evaluations, describing it as challenging and tough to handle. This has caused many students to become hesitant even before making their final decision.
Elizabeth is a seasoned content writer with multiple years of experience writing on different topics under the general terms of scholarship, academics, business management, and human resource management and development.
She has a degree in Mass Communication and other relevant certifications.