Find a Job You Really Want In
Gaining a master’s in biology is a prestigious degree that opens a variety of doors to fulfilling, lucrative, and exciting careers. Depending on your interest and concentration, you may be qualified to work in fields spanning from medicine to agricultural science. This broad area of study will develop both your practical skills and knowledge that many employers look for.
Once you graduate with a master’s in biology, you’ll have the opportunity to explore careers in different industries, including biotechnology, medicine, agriculture, zoology, teaching, and more. Below are some of the careers to consider once you graduate with a master’s in biology.
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Postsecondary Biological Science Teacher
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Agricultural Technician
Key Takeaways:
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If you’re interested in graduating from a doctoral or health professions program, getting a master’s in biology can also be an extremely helpful foundation to pursue this dream.
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Those graduating with a master’s in biology can work in industries like academia, business, medicine, government agencies, and more.
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It’s important to have an existing interest and healthy curiosity about biological science or the many different career opportunities that exist once you obtain your degree.
8 Best-Paying Jobs for People With a Master’s in Biology
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Average Yearly Salary: $89,000
A biology research scientist studies living organisms and their relationship to our environment. They perform research with the intention of better understanding fundamental life processes and work to apply their understanding to developing new products or processes.
Biology research scientists are tasked with planning and conducting laboratory research in their specialized area of biology. This means you’ll spend a large portion of your workday performing research and overseeing research experiments and a broader staff while analyzing and reporting on your research results.
The broadest skill used in this career is research, followed by good communication skills. You should enjoy spending most of your day in research mode but also be comfortable analyzing, charting, and reporting on your findings in a public setting. You should also be comfortable working with or managing a broader team.
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Average Yearly Salary: $79,000
A biomedical engineer is someone who analyzes and designs solutions to issues that exist in biology and medicine. Their primary goal is to improve the effectiveness of patient care in the medical field. They may design systems and products, interact with biomedical equipment, and evaluate the safety of said equipment.
Biomedical engineers work closely with scientists, chemists, and medical scientists and may even be tasked with training clinicians on the proper use of biomedical equipment. A large portion of their time is dedicated to researching engineering aspects within the biological systems of humans and animals.
Biomedical engineers typically work in manufacturing research facilities. The demand for biomedical engineers is projected to grow 10% from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for most occupations in this field. This means around 1,200 job openings will be posted each year during this time, on average.
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Average Yearly Salary: $73,000
Experts in molecular biology use their time deciphering complex functions within cells and determining the biological laws that govern cell operation. They work to understand biological structures in laboratory settings with advanced technology so they can understand and explore complex molecular structures.
A molecular biologist researches and studies cellular molecules and organelles to understand how cell functions are organized. They may be tasked with designing laboratory experiments, maintaining data, conducting research, preparing presentations, developing assays, and coordinating with other teams.
If you’re an individual interested in developing new methods to diagnose and treat diseases, discovering genetic variations, understanding the effectiveness of certain pharmaceutical drugs, or just the overall relationship between plants, animals, and human genetics, then a career in molecular biology could be right for you.
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Postsecondary Biological Science Teacher
Average Yearly Salary: $55,000
Postsecondary biological science teachers teach students the subject of biological science. This may include teachers who primarily teach or those who split their time between teaching and researching. This type of career typically requires a master’s degree or higher as they are teaching students pursuing similar degrees.
These types of teachers are tasked with evaluating and grading student work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers as well as delivering lectures to students on topics in molecular biology and related fields. Other tasks may include developing an appropriate curriculum, course content, and materials.
The job outlook for this career is bright, with new job opportunities very likely in the future. If you’re interested in helping others, teaching, and presenting to others, you may do well in this type of career. Be sure you are a good communicator and enjoy problem-solving, and are prepared to learn and use new technologies in this field.
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Average Yearly Salary: $101,000
Pharmacologists are individuals who conduct research to develop or observe chemical compounds and substances used in medications. These highly trained health professionals study the effects of drugs to ensure both effectiveness and safety, contributing heavily to patient safety and satisfaction.
Pharmacologists work in labs testing medications by studying tissue and cell samples. This means they can work in a variety of situations, including clinical trials, performing tests on voluntary patients, working in toxicology research, or advising pharmaceutical companies on safe labeling and handling of medications.
It should be noted that to become a pharmacologist; you typically must get an M.D., Ph.D., or Pharm.D from a medical school on top of your masters in biology. States have different requirements for pharmacology licensure. You must also obtain a passing score on an exam from the American Board of Clinical Pharmacologists (ABCP).
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Average Yearly Salary: $54,000
Marine biologists are scientists who study the organisms and ecosystems of the ocean and other saltwater environments. These specialists spend time learning and researching the interactions of marine plants and animals with coastal areas and the atmosphere.
This career includes a variety of different specialties, including a fish biologist, microbiologist, or marine mammalogist, catering to a number of different interests. You will most often find marine biologists at universities or out in the field as well as working as consultants, coastal authorities, charities, or museums.
If you are a skilled problem solver and enjoy exploring ocean life, marine biology may be right for you. You’ll want to be sure you have meticulous attention to detail and can work in a team environment. Many marine biologists also need practical skills such as boat handling, scuba diving, and basic first aid knowledge.
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Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Average Yearly Salary: $68,000
Pharmaceutical sales representatives work for pharmaceutical companies to inform and educate healthcare providers about drugs and medical devices in the pharmaceutical industry. This is, first and foremost, a sales job, so it’s important you have interpersonal skills as well as in-depth knowledge of the products to sell them.
Pharmaceutical sales representatives are not just mouthpieces for pharma companies, however. They must understand pharmacology, the science of medications, and their effects on the human body. They should be able to describe the drug chemistry, side effects, and interactions with other drugs and be able to answer physician questions.
Working as a pharmaceutical sales representative may require you to work out of a home-based office or a company vehicle, occasionally checking in at a local or regional office. Sales representatives travel frequently and may also be required to give presentations, train, or coordinate with other teams in the company.
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Average Yearly Salary: $89,000
Senior research scientists are research professionals working across a variety of industries, most commonly academics or pharmaceuticals. They are in charge of supervising research projects and assigning tasks to the other scientists or assistants working on the project.
These individuals typically work in laboratory environments and must have excellent communication skills in order to communicate ideas and findings to important stakeholders to receive feedback and support. They may also conduct experiments, focus groups, and surveys and analyze data using computer programs.
Because senior research scientists spend such a large amount of time researching and experimenting, it’s important you enjoy those things. You should also have good communication skills, the ability to interpret data and draw conclusions and be able to employ critical thinking and problem-solving.
7 Entry-Level Jobs for People With a Master’s in Biology
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Average Yearly Salary: $60,000
Environmental scientists are tasked with protecting the environment from risks and protecting humans from environmental hazards. They typically focus on their surrounding environment, including land, air, and water, and work to protect natural resources along with human health.
This job, like many others in this field, is focused on research. However, environmental scientists may also collect data, collect samples, develop plans to manage environmental hazards like pollution, and translate findings for non-science stakeholders to better understand.
Environmental scientists can also specialize in a number of different areas, including environmental health and safety, environmental restoration planning, climate change analysis and mitigation, environmental management, environmental policy and regulation, and geographic information systems.
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Average Yearly Salary: $52,000
High school biology teachers do exactly what it sounds like — teach high school biology. They set and teach an age-appropriate science curriculum for high school students, typically overseeing lab experiments, teaching, and participating in other school activities.
High school biology teachers must create homework for their classes, mentor students who may be having trouble, and attend meetings with parents and faculty. They are tasked with teaching grades 9 through 12, which means the curriculum may change throughout the day depending on the age group.
High school biology teachers should, of course, enjoy the art of teaching and be able to fulfill all teaching responsibilities. They should have excellent communication skills, observation skills, and the ability to enforce strict safety regulations while conducting experiments in biology class.
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Average Yearly Salary: $42,000
Research assistants are typically employed by research institutions to assist with private or academic research. They are tasked with supporting research fellows or research teams by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting the data relevant to one or a variety of projects.
Research assistants typically handle a number of different responsibilities like planning projects, coordinating tasks, preparing surveys, scheduling interviews, and more. They may analyze data, prepare written discussions of findings, and help to produce reports or presentations.
Research assistants should be able to think and plan strategically, be highly organized, and be open to working with broad teams. They must be familiar with science and various methods used within, as well as bring existing lab and research experience to the table. They should be highly analytical and intuitive as well.
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Average Yearly Salary: $47,000
Agricultural technicians work very closely with agricultural scientists in the plant, fiber, and animal research and may assist in things like animal breeding or nutrition. These technicians may use laboratory equipment to collect samples, prepare specimens, and record data to help scientists in life science experiments.
Agricultural technicians can also work to improve the yield and quality of crops for farmers by conducting tests or experiments or using their knowledge to increase plant and animal resistance to disease or insects.
To work as an agricultural technician, you will be most successful if you have skills including practical, hands-on problem-solving. You’ll want to be sure you have great attention to detail, operate with integrity, are dependable, and have a concern for others. You also should have an interest in working with plants or animals.
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Average Yearly Salary: $69,000
A senior microbiologist is an individual who conducts studies and research that focus on microorganisms. They are typically tasked with overseeing research projects, gathering and analyzing samples, and performing experiments and assessments while maintaining records of their findings.
Because these microbiologists are considered senior, they are also responsible for leading and mentoring their team in an effort to reach their goals. Senior microbiologists most typically work for government agencies, laboratories, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, food and beverage companies, or universities.
Due to the need for their mentoring, senior microbiologists should have good communication skills, great attention to detail, problem-solving skills, research skills, and leadership skills. You should also be passionate about helping others and mentoring junior microbiologists.
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Average Yearly Salary: $54,000
A biotechnologist is someone who uses biological processes to manipulate organisms or components of a biological system in order to create new products or processes. They study the physical, genetic, and chemical characteristics of tissues and cells and work in industries like agriculture, medicine, waste treatment, and food production.
Most biotechnologists work in laboratories and assist scientists or physicians with different types of research. They may be responsible for maintaining lab equipment, synthesizing chemicals, and assisting in experiments. Some biotechnologists may also go into the field to collect data in non-clinical environments.
In the biotechnology field, a healthy growth rate is projected. Biotechnologists also enjoy a higher annual median salary than most workers, and with more experience and graduate studies, many can achieve even higher salaries. Biotechnologists can go on to work as epidemiologists, medical scientists, biochemists, or biophysicists.
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Average Yearly Salary: $50,000
Foresters work in the science, management, and protection of forests. Due to global pollution, foresters typically work to ensure carbon sequestration and air quality and maintain biodiversity in our current environment. They may also perform ecological restoration, harvest timber, and manage protected areas on a daily basis.
Foresters manage everything from the creation of Timber Harvest Plans (THPs) to the overall protection of natural resources and enforcement of forestry laws. They may be experts in a specific area, like timber foresting or conservation. Many foresters work for timber companies or government agencies.
Many foresters tend to be investigative individuals with a healthy curiosity about the forests around them. Many times, these professionals work in remote outdoor locations, so it’s important to be comfortable with all kinds of weather conditions and be ready to perform a physically demanding job.
What to Know About a Master’s in Biology
Completing a master’s degree in biology will arm you with expertise in biological science. If you’re interested in exploring the world and working to understand it better, pursuing this field may be a perfect fit. It’s a fulfilling industry that allows you to contribute to research, share knowledge through teaching, or apply it in public service or private industry.
If you’re interested in graduating from a doctoral or health professions program, getting a master’s in biology can also be an extremely helpful foundation to pursue this dream. However, as listed above, there are a number of other job opportunities that open when obtaining a master’s in biology.
Pursuing a master’s in biology is no easy feat. It is highly detailed, and your success depends on your ability to study and apply yourself to the subject matter. To this end, it’s important to have an existing interest and healthy curiosity about biological science or the many different career opportunities that exist once you obtain your degree.
Those graduating with a master’s in biology can work in industries like academia, business, medicine, government agencies, and more. Because this field is so widely dispersed, it’s a good idea to understand what career you’d like to pursue before you start taking classes so that if a specialty is required, you can get a leg up and study it before pursuing a career.
Why Get a Master’s in Biology?
Biology impacts almost every aspect of our lives and is more than just a research job. There are a variety of reasons why you should consider getting a master’s degree in biology.
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You enjoy helping others. A lot of the science surrounding biology includes improving existing environments or products to help the greater good. If you’d like to contribute to improving things like patient care or helping to preserve the environment, a master’s in biology can be right for you.
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You love to research. So much of science-related careers include research, and biology is no different. In a variety of different fields, research is an incredibly important component, if not the most important component, to be successful at the job. If you enjoy conducting research, this job may be perfect for your potential career.
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You want a lucrative career. If you’re pursuing a career in the sciences, a biology master’s degree isn’t just worth it but is typically necessary to land a lucrative job. Many of the best-paying areas of specialization require, at the very least, a master’s degree.
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You’re looking to pursue a medical career. Getting a master’s degree is an essential stepping stone on your way to a career in the medical field. For careers like medical science, biochemistry, biophysics, or pharmacy, you’ll need to have your master’s in biology first.
Master’s in Biology Jobs FAQ
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What can you do with a master’s degree in Biology?
You can pursue many different careers with a master’s degree in biology, including teaching, research science, medicine, or certain government jobs.
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What skills do you need for Biology jobs?
The skills needed in biology jobs are great attention to detail, science and math knowledge, analytical thinking skills, communication skills, problem-solving skills, the ability to work with a team, and the ability to use initiative.
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Do employees with a master’s in Biology get paid more?
Yes, employees with a master’s in biology get paid more on average than in other careers.
Author
Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.
