Biologists
Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed
Research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions.
Median pay: $98,920/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +1.2% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.
About 4,800 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data.
• Prepare technical and research reports, such as environmental impact reports, and communicate the results to individuals in industry, government, or the general public.
• Supervise biological technicians and technologists and other scientists.
• Develop and maintain liaisons and effective working relations with groups and individuals, agencies, and the public to encourage cooperative management strategies or to develop information and interpret findings.
• Identify, classify, and study structure, behavior, ecology, physiology, nutrition, culture, and distribution of plant and animal species.
• Study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and function.
• Collect and analyze biological data about relationships among and between organisms and their environment.
• Review reports and proposals, such as those relating to land use classifications and recreational development, for accuracy, adequacy, or adherence to policies, regulations, or scientific standards.
What's the median pay for Biologists?
The median pay for Biologists is $98,920 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Biologists?
Employment for Biologists is projected to change +1.2% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.
What education is typically required for Biologists?
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
How many job openings are there each year for Biologists?
About 4,800 openings per year, on average, over the decade.