What can you do with a biology degree? Jobs and salaries for 2026

Biology jobs span labs, hospitals, conservation, public health, teaching and medicine. Workers whose bachelor's degree is in biology earned a median of $80,000 a year in 2024, compared with $73,000 across all fields, according to BLS field-of-degree data. Many of the best-paid routes need a further degree: 60% of employed biology degree holders also have an advanced degree, compared with 39% for all fields. This guide shows what 12 biology jobs pay, what they require and how to get your first one.

How much do biology degree holders earn?

The $80,000 median covers everyone with a biology bachelor's, including the many who went on to become doctors, dentists and pharmacists. That pulls the figure up. Physicians are the single largest group in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) list, employing 14% of biology degree holders.

Here is where biology graduates work, by broad job group, in 2024:

Source: BLS, Biology field of degree (2024 data from the U.S. Census Bureau). Last checked: November 13, 2026.

Biology graduates are also more likely than average to work in jobs that need a degree. BLS reports that 69% work in occupations typically requiring at least a bachelor's, compared with 61% across all fields.

A new graduate in a technician role will usually start below the overall median. The table in the next section shows what individual jobs pay.

Biology jobs table: pay, degree and growth

Almost every figure below comes from the same BLS release: median pay for May 2025 and projected change in employment from 2025 to 2035. Physicians' pay is from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, which uses the same May 2025 data. That makes the rows directly comparable. For context, the median for all US occupations is $50,980, with projected growth of 3.5%.

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035 and BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (physicians' pay). Median pay is for May 2025. "Doctoral" means doctoral or professional degree. Last checked: November 13, 2026.

"Entry degree" is the typical entry-level education BLS says most people need to get started. For research jobs where you lead your own projects, employers usually look for a PhD, even in fields listed as bachelor's level.

Biology jobs you can get with a bachelor's degree

A bachelor's degree is enough to start in six of the jobs above. Each one uses a different side of your degree.

• Biological technicians run experiments, prepare samples and record results under a lead scientist. It's the most common first job in a research lab.
• Clinical laboratory technologists test blood, tissue and other samples that doctors use to diagnose patients. Some states require a license, and many employers look for professional certification.
• Forensic science technicians collect and analyze evidence. At 13.3%, this is the fastest-growing bachelor's-level job in the table.
• Zoologists and wildlife biologists study animals in the field and the lab, often for state and federal agencies.
• Environmental scientists monitor pollution, water and land use, and often work for consultancies or government.
• Microbiologists study bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms in healthcare, food safety and drug development.

A few other routes start with a bachelor's too. High school teachers earn a median of $72,040 and need a state teaching license alongside the degree. Food scientists and technologists earn $88,720. Natural sciences managers, who run labs and research teams, earn $167,220, though this is a role people usually reach after years of working as scientists.

Biology jobs that need a master's, MD, DVM or PhD

Most of the highest-paying jobs need more study after your bachelor's.

At master's level, physician assistants have the strongest projected growth in the table, at 21.1%, and a median of $135,880. Genetic counselors help patients understand inherited conditions and test results. Epidemiologists track how diseases spread, and many hold a Master of Public Health.

At doctoral level, the main routes are:

1. Medicine (MD or DO): physicians and surgeons, median $275,930.
2. Dentistry (DDS or DMD): dentists, median $176,110.
3. Pharmacy (PharmD): pharmacists, median $140,910.
4. Veterinary medicine (DVM): veterinarians, median $130,100.
5. Research (PhD): biochemists and biophysicists earn a median of $127,410, and medical scientists $103,410.

If medicine is your goal, you don't need a specific major. Medical schools set their own course requirements, usually a core of biology, chemistry and physics, and the AAMC publishes each school's premed course requirements. A biology major covers most of these courses, whether it's a BA or a BS. Check the list for each school you plan to apply to against your college's course catalog.

How to get your first lab or field job with a biology degree

Employers hiring for entry-level lab and field roles want to see that you've done the work before. You can build that experience during college.

1. Join a research lab on campus. Read about faculty projects, then email two or three professors whose work interests you. Many labs take undergraduates for course credit, work-study or pay.
2. Apply for summer research. The National Science Foundation funds biology REU sites, paid summer programs where undergraduates do research and get mentoring. You apply to each site directly, so start looking in the fall.
3. Look for seasonal field work. State wildlife agencies, parks and conservation groups hire field technicians for surveys and monitoring. Federal openings are posted on USAJOBS.
4. Learn the skills job ads ask for. Lab postings often list techniques such as PCR, cell culture and microscopy. Field and environmental roles often want GIS. Statistics and some data analysis in R or Python help in almost every role.
5. Use a technician job as a stepping stone. A year or two as a biological or clinical lab technician gives you references, skills and a clearer idea of whether graduate school is right for you.

Keep a simple record of every technique you've used and every project you've worked on. It makes résumés and graduate applications much easier to write.

Preparing for a biology major in high school

If you're still in high school, AP Biology and AP Chemistry are a good early test of whether you enjoy the material. They also build the foundations your first college courses will expect.

Medly AI covers AP courses and the SAT, with practice questions that are marked and explained, and an AI tutor you can ask when a topic won't click. You can read more about how Medly works and its plans here.

Frequently asked questions

Is a biology degree worth it?

For many people, yes. BLS reports a median of $80,000 for biology degree holders in 2024, compared with $73,000 for all fields. Much of that advantage comes from graduates who go on to advanced degrees, so plan for further study if you're aiming for the highest-paying roles.

What are the highest-paying biology jobs?

Physicians and surgeons top the list, with a median of $275,930 in May 2025. Dentists ($176,110), pharmacists ($140,910), physician assistants ($135,880) and veterinarians ($130,100) follow. All of these need a graduate or professional degree.

What jobs can you get with just a bachelor's in biology?

Biological technician, clinical laboratory technologist, forensic science technician, wildlife biologist, environmental scientist and microbiologist all typically start with a bachelor's. High school teaching is another option once you have a state license.

Can you become a doctor with a BA in biology?

Yes. Medical schools don't require a particular major or a BS over a BA. They look at whether you've completed their required courses, along with your grades, MCAT score and experience.

Do you need a PhD to be a biologist?

No. Many biologists start with a bachelor's as technicians, field biologists or microbiologists. A PhD is usually needed to lead independent research or work as a medical scientist or biochemist.

Which biology jobs are growing fastest?

In the BLS projections for 2025 to 2035, physician assistants (21.1%), epidemiologists (18.7%) and forensic science technicians (13.3%) are among the fastest-growing jobs that biology graduates go into. All three are well above the 3.5% average for all occupations.

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