Career Overview
Research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions.
Also Known As
- Biologist
- Botanist
- Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist
- Scientist
Alternate Job Titles
- Aquatic Biologist
- Aquatic Scientist
- Bioanalytical Scientist
- Biological Operations Scientist (Biological Ops Scientist)
- Biological Scientist
- Biologist
- Biology Scientist
- Botanist
- Cell Biologist
- Cell Culture Scientist
- Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist)
- Clinical Researcher
- Computational Biologist
- Computational Scientist
- Dolphin Researcher
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Inventory and order lab supplies.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Biology
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Mathematics
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Science
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
- Category Flexibility
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Speech Clarity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Attention to Detail
- Innovation
- Dependability
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Recognition
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Master's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Photoshop
- C++
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Linux
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Agar plates
- Automated microscopes
- Automatic pipetters
- Benchtop centrifuges
- Benchtop lyophilizers
- Bioreactors
- Biosafety cabinets
- Bunsen burners
- Carbolite ovens
- Centrifugal evaporators
- Conductivity meters
- Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA sequencers
- Desktop computers
- Digestion units
- Digital cameras
Work Environment
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Biological Scientists, All Other occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Biologists.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $54,500 |
| Median | $93,330 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $159,780 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 59,710
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $93,330
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $72,860
Geneticists
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: $93,330
Biological Technicians
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $52,000
Microbiologists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $87,330
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.