When I finished my biology degree, I remember staring at my diploma with two competing thoughts: I loved the science… and I had no idea what to do next. If you’re asking “what jobs can I get with a biology degree,” you’re not alone. The good news? Biology is a launchpad, not a lane. From labs to conservation to product roles at biotech startups, there are more paths than most of us were ever shown in intro bio. Here’s how your degree translates into real jobs, and how to pick a direction that actually fits you.
Key Takeaways
- Your biology degree equips you with scientific method, lab, data, and communication skills; add one applied skill (GxP, GIS, or Python) to unlock more roles fast.
- If you’re asking what jobs can I get with a biology degree, start with clinical research, diagnostics, and patient-facing roles that have clear training pathways and tangible patient impact.
- Biotech and pharma offer R&D, lab technician, and bioinformatics paths with strong growth and internal mobility when you build Python/R and assay skills.
- Environmental consulting, EHS, and wildlife ecology are viable options for field-inclined grads, and GIS or HAZWOPER can make you competitive.
- Teaching, science writing, and life-science sales or product roles reward your ability to translate biology for people and can offer fast earnings growth.
- Break in faster by earning a 4-8 week certificate, stacking real experience, tailoring your resume with quantified results, building a small portfolio, and using warm introductions to land interviews.
How A Biology Degree Translates To Jobs
Biology isn’t just facts about cells: it’s a toolkit employers recognize.
Here’s what I’ve seen matter most:
- Scientific method mindset: framing questions, designing experiments, troubleshooting.
- Lab techniques: pipetting, PCR/qPCR, sterile technique, cell culture, microscopy, basic spectroscopy.
- Data chops: Excel, stats, R or Python (even beginner-level helps), graphing, documenting results.
- Communication: writing clear summaries, posters, and translating jargon for non-scientists.
- Compliance and ethics: you’ve probably followed SOPs, IRB/IACUC rules, or safety protocols.
Those translate into roles that value precision, pattern-spotting, and reliability. Add one or two applied skills, like GxP (good practice) basics, GIS, or data visualization, and your options expand fast.
Clinical And Healthcare Paths
Clinical Research And Lab Roles
If you like structured science and teamwork, clinical and diagnostic settings can be a great fit.
Roles to explore:
- Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC): run trials, manage participants, handle data and IRB docs. Entry roles often start around $50–65k (varies by city/therapeutic area).
- Research Assistant/Associate: support experiments at hospitals or universities: $45–60k+.
- Medical Laboratory Technologist/Scientist: perform diagnostic tests in hospital labs. Some states want an MLS degree or ASCP certification: $55–75k.
- Histology, Microbiology, or Molecular Tech: specialized bench work: $50–70k.
- Phlebotomist or Lab Assistant: fast entry, great for gaining experience: $35–45k.
Why it’s compelling: you get clear training pathways (GCP, CLIA, ASCP), predictable hours in many labs, and a direct impact on patient care.
Patient-Facing Roles And Advanced Practice Tracks
If you love biology but want more human contact:
- Medical Assistant, Patient Care Tech, or Scribe: solid entry points to understand clinics, build hours, and earn references.
- Genetic Counseling (MS required): blend patient empathy with genetics: typically $85–110k.
- Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, MD/DO, Dentistry, Optometry, PT/OT: your bio degree covers many prereqs: you’ll need entrance exams and clinical hours.
- Public Health/Epidemiology (MPH optional): outbreak investigation, health data analysis, program design: $65–95k+ for many roles.
Tip: if you’re considering advanced practice, stack shadowing, volunteer hours, or certifications (EMT, CNA) early so applications feel natural instead of rushed.
Biotech, Pharma, And Research
R&D, Lab Technician, And Data Roles
Curious, hands-on, and okay with a little failure (the good kind)? Bench science or data roles might be your thing.
- R&D Research Associate/Lab Technician: cell culture, CRISPR edits, ELISAs, assay development. BS-level roles often pay $55–80k depending on tech and location.
- Bioinformatics/Data Analyst: analyze omics data, build pipelines, support scientists. If you pick up Python/R and basic statistics, you’ll stand out: $70–100k+ is common as skills deepen.
- Clinical Data Manager: structure trial data, manage EDC systems, ensure data integrity.
- Core Facility Tech: run sequencers, flow cytometers, or imaging systems for multiple labs.
Why it’s compelling: cutting-edge projects, clear technical growth, and strong internal mobility (from RA to Scientist or into product-facing roles).
Quality, Regulatory, And Manufacturing Operations
If you like order, checklists, and making sure things work exactly as intended, this ecosystem is underrated gold.
- Quality Assurance/Control (QA/QC): write and follow SOPs, run release tests, handle deviations: $60–90k.
- GMP Manufacturing Associate: make cell/gene therapies or biologics in cleanrooms: $60–85k, often with shift differentials.
- Validation/Process Development Tech: stress-test equipment, scale processes from lab to plant.
- Regulatory Affairs Associate: help companies meet FDA/EMA expectations, write submissions: $80–120k with growth.
- Tech Transfer/Supply Chain for biologics: translate R&D into scalable production.
These roles value precision and documentation, exactly what biology labs train you to do.
Environment, Conservation, And Public Health
Environmental Consulting And Compliance
If your happy place is a field notebook and a pair of boots, consider:
- Environmental Scientist/Consultant: sampling soil/water, writing reports, permitting. Many employers love HAZWOPER 40-hr: $60–85k in many markets.
- EHS Specialist (Environment, Health & Safety): audits, training, spill response.
- Water Quality/Air Quality Analyst: labs and municipal agencies need consistent testing.
- GIS Technician: maps, spatial analysis: learn ArcGIS or QGIS to unlock roles.
Expect a mix of field days and report writing, and yes, some travel.
Wildlife, Ecology, And Natural Resources
- Wildlife or Fisheries Technician/Biologist: surveys, tagging, population studies: $45–70k, often seasonal at first.
- Conservation/Restoration Ecology: invasive species control, habitat recovery, native planting.
- Park Ranger/Interpretive Naturalist: education plus resource protection.
- Agencies to watch: USFWS, USGS, NOAA, USFS, state DNRs, land trusts. Many hire seasonals who convert to full-time.
Fieldwork can be competitive, so stack skills like GPS, boating, chainsaw certification, or SCUBA (for marine work).
Education, Communication, And Business
Teaching, Writing, And Outreach
If you’re the explainer in your friend group, these paths feel natural:
- K–12 Science Teacher: requires a state credential: stipends for coaching or clubs can add up.
- Adjunct Lab Instructor or TA: gain teaching experience while working elsewhere.
- Museum/Science Center Educator: programs, camps, live demos.
- Medical/Scientific Writer: turn studies into articles, regulatory docs, or patient education. A clear portfolio matters more than perfect credentials.
- Community Outreach/Public Engagement: translate complex topics and build trust.
Sales, Marketing, And Product Specialist Roles
Biology grads do well in roles that blend science with people skills:
- Medical Device or Biotech Sales: base + commission: OTE can land $120–180k when established.
- Pharma Sales Rep: territory-based, relationships + compliance.
- Field Application Specialist: train customers on instruments or assays (often needs deep hands-on experience).
- Product Marketing or Customer Success at life-science companies: you’ll speak both “lab” and “business.”
If you enjoy demos, storytelling, and problem-solving on the fly, this lane can be surprisingly fun.
How To Choose And Break In
Certifications And Short Courses
Small add-ons can unlock job postings and higher pay. Pick 1–2 aligned with your target role:
- Clinical: GCP training, ICH E6 basics: ACRP or SOCRA (after experience). HIPAA for patient-facing roles.
- Labs/Diagnostics: ASCP (MLS/MLT), phlebotomy, CAP/CLIA basics.
- Biotech/Manufacturing: cGMP, cleanroom practices, ISO 13485, validation fundamentals: Six Sigma Yellow/Green Belt.
- Regulatory/Quality: RAPS basics, document control, CAPA training.
- Data/Bioinformatics: Intro R/Python, statistics, SQL, data viz (Tableau/Power BI), basic command line.
- Environmental: HAZWOPER 40-hr, OSHA 10/30, first aid/WFA, boating safety: GIS (ArcGIS/QGIS).
- Communication/Writing: AMWA courses, plain-language training, portfolio workshop.
I’d choose one certificate you can finish in 4–8 weeks to build momentum.
Experience, Networking, And Application Tips
A few moves that make a big difference:
- Get real experience fast: campus research, hospital volunteering, seasonal field tech gigs, or part-time lab assistant work. Even 8–10 hours/week adds up.
- Tailor your resume to the posting: mirror keywords from the job description: quantify impact (Processed 120+ samples/week with 98% on-time delivery).
- Build a mini-portfolio: GitHub notebooks for data, a one-page case study for a lab project, or two writing samples for communication roles.
- Warm introductions beat cold applications: reach out to alumni on LinkedIn with a 3-sentence note, ask for a 15-minute chat, and come ready with two questions.
- Join communities: ACRP, AWIS, ESA, TWS, ASBMB, RAPS, plus local meetups. Say yes to panels and poster sessions.
- Think T-shaped: go broad across biology, then pick one depth area (e.g., PCR + qPCR + assay validation, or GIS + spatial stats).
- Apply in batches and iterate: 5–7 targeted apps per week, refine based on the interviews you land.
Tiny script that works: “Hi [Name], I’m a biology grad exploring [X role]. I noticed your path from [Y] to [Z]. What skills helped you stand out for your first role? Happy to keep it to 15 minutes.”
Conclusion
Your biology degree is more versatile than it looks on paper. If you love the bench, there’s room in R&D and diagnostics. If people energize you, patient care, outreach, and sales are wide open. If you crave impact at scale, try public health, regulatory, or manufacturing. Start with one small bet, an entry job, a short certification, a conversation with someone doing work you admire, and let that momentum carry you forward. The question isn’t only “what jobs can I get with a biology degree,” but “which version of science do I want to live in every day?” That’s where the right job tends to show up.
Frequently Asked Questions: What Jobs Can I Get With a Biology Degree?
What jobs can I get with a biology degree?
Examples include clinical research coordinator, research assistant, medical laboratory scientist, histology or molecular technologist, R&D research associate, bioinformatics analyst, QA/QC specialist, GMP manufacturing associate, environmental consultant, wildlife technician, science teacher or medical writer, and biotech sales. These “what jobs can I get with a biology degree” paths span labs, fieldwork, and business.
Which certifications help me get hired with a biology degree?
Hiring managers value targeted add-ons: GCP/ICH for clinical roles; ASCP or phlebotomy for diagnostics; cGMP, cleanroom, ISO 13485, or Six Sigma for manufacturing/quality; RAPS or CAPA/document control for regulatory; HAZWOPER and OSHA for environmental; plus Python/R, SQL, or Tableau for data—and HIPAA for patient-facing work.
What entry-level biology jobs pay well?
If you’re asking “what jobs can I get with a biology degree” that pay well, consider R&D research associate ($55–80k), bioinformatics/data analyst ($70–100k+ with skills), QA/QC specialist ($60–90k), GMP manufacturing associate ($60–85k), or clinical research coordinator ($50–65k). Pay varies by city, sector, and shift.
How to choose between clinical, biotech, and environmental biology careers?
Match your preferences: clinical favors structured teamwork and patient impact; biotech suits curiosity, experiments, and data; environmental emphasizes fieldwork and reporting. Add one depth skill—GxP basics, coding (R/Python), or GIS—to test fit. Shadow, volunteer, or take seasonal gigs, then iterate your applications based on interviews.
Do I need a master’s to get a good job with a biology degree?
No. Many roles hire BS grads—research associate, clinical research coordinator, QA/QC, manufacturing, environmental consulting, and sales. Advanced practice (PA, NP, MD/DO), genetic counseling (MS), or some lab specialties may require more. You can access many “what jobs can I get with a biology degree” options without grad school.
How long does it take to land a biology job after graduation, and how can I speed it up?
Timelines vary, but 2–6 months is common. Accelerate by stacking 4–8 week certifications, tailoring resumes to job keywords, building a small portfolio (GitHub, case studies, writing samples), and using warm introductions to alumni. Apply in weekly batches (5–7), track responses, and refine after each interview.