Biologist Careers

Biologist Careers Information

Biologists study life in all its forms. They use their advanced training to study how organisms large and small reproduce, live, and transform their environments. With their help, new medicines and treatments have been developed that aid in the recovery of sick individuals, endangered species have been brought back from the brink, and better practices for caring for our environment have been established.

Biologist Careers & Degrees

Biologists may conduct basic research, which is meant simply to increase knowledge, or applied research, which has a specific goal technical or financial goal in mind. In either case, biologists rely on grants or company dollars in order to fund their work.

Biologist careers generally specialize in a particular subfield:

Microbiologists study tiny lifeforms like bacteria and fungi; they have been responsible for discovering the sources of many of our diseases.

Zoologists and wildlife biologists study animals in their natural habitat while botanists study plants; both are closely involved in the maintenance of zoos.

Biochemists study the molecular and chemical processes that make life possible and also key players in the search for new medicines.

Biophysicists apply physics, such as electrical and mechanical energy, to understanding living things.

Ecologists study entire ecosystems and are responsible for the knowledge that helps us be better stewards of our planet.

Biologist Careers Path

Most biologist positions require a Ph.D., especially those in academia or that involve research. This means graduate school for 5-6 years beyond an undergraduate degree. Most biologists take courses in related fields such as mathematics or computer science and specialize in a subfield, such as microbiology or genetics. There are some positions available, however, in applied research or management for those with only a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.

Biologist Careers Compatible Personality Traits

Inquisitive, love of learning, excellent communication skills, enjoys outdoors, self-motivated, highly organized, works well with others, patient, project-oriented, long-term goal oriented.

Biologist Careers Salary Expectations

Average earnings for biologists are often broken down by specialty:

Microbiologists $64,350
Biochemists $83,840
Biophysicists $83,840
Zoologists $55,290
Wildlife Biologists $55,290

Those with a Bachelor’s in biology average a beginning salary of $33,524 a year. Biologists in all positions working for the federal government average $97,000 a year. With more experience, biologists may be able to move into higher academic or managerial positions, depending on industry, in order to make more money.

Biologist Careers Job Outlook

The job outlook for biologists is very strong. Even with the gains that have been made in biotechnology, further research is needed. Biologists will be called upon to continue their work so that we can improve medicines as well as find new ones, preserve wildlife, and generally be better to our home planet.

Positions in academia, however, especially those in popular subfields such as marine biology, will remain few and those looking to fill them will face stiff competition. Those biologists with a Ph.D. and who have strong connections to technology in their research are the most likely to find positions and receive funding.

Slightly off the Footpath

Source: bls.gov/oco/ocos047.htm