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Job outlook for directors of cell biology in the United States
Are director of cell biology jobs in demand?
Director of cell biology job and salary trends over time
Director of cell biology jobs over time
Director of cell biology job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 133 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 155 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 156 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 148 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 137 | 0.00% |
Average director of cell biology salary over time
Director of cell biology salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $79,225 | $38.09 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $76,871 | $36.96 | +4.7% |
| 2023 | $73,425 | $35.30 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | $71,070 | $34.17 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $69,719 | $33.52 | --2.1% |
Director of cell biology jobs by state
Most common states for directors of cell biology
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 570 | 18% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,153 | 17% |
| 3 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 511 | 17% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 99 | 14% |
| 5 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 561 | 12% |
| 6 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 472 | 12% |
| 7 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 553 | 11% |
| 8 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 329 | 11% |
| 9 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 651 | 7% |
| 10 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,121 | 6% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 439 | 6% |
| 12 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 64 | 5% |
| 13 | Delaware | 961,939 | 49 | 5% |
| 14 | California | 39,536,653 | 1,693 | 4% |
| 15 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 259 | 4% |
| 16 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 232 | 4% |
| 17 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 166 | 4% |
| 18 | Vermont | 623,657 | 22 | 4% |
| 19 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 212 | 3% |
| 20 | Alaska | 739,795 | 23 | 3% |
Most common cities for directors of cell biology
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waltham | 2 | 3% | $93,512 |
| 2 | North Chicago | 1 | 3% | $67,228 |
| 3 | Cambridge | 2 | 2% | $93,587 |
| 4 | Carlsbad | 1 | 1% | $88,439 |
| 5 | Frederick | 1 | 1% | $73,006 |
| 6 | Gaithersburg | 1 | 1% | $72,832 |
| 7 | South San Francisco | 1 | 1% | $100,139 |
| 8 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $66,133 |
| 9 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $73,506 |
| 10 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $93,625 |
| 11 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $87,360 |
| 12 | San Diego | 1 | 0% | $87,915 |
Director Of Cell Biology job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of director of cell biology experts
Pepperdine University
University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Dallas
University of San Diego
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Washington State University
University of Pittsburgh
University of Nebraska - Omaha
Houston Baptist University
Murray State University
Brenau University
University of Southern California
What will help Directors Of Cell Biology increase their earning potential?
Rachel Tan Ph.D.: Listen and be curious: ask questions (the why and how?), ask for opportunities, do extra readings outside of work. Aim for excellence: treat each assigned task as priority–go above and beyond. Connect: talk to colleagues, your boss, staff–be excited to learn from others. Be grateful: constantly reflect on the small details that led you to this point, for gratitude gives you foundation for joy during your career.
What will help Directors Of Cell Biology increase their earning potential?
Qing Li: Follow your heart and do what you enjoy and enjoy what you do. Research direction is as important as scientific questions if it is not more important.
What Director Of Cell Biology skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nicole Danos PhD: In the next 3-5 years techniques in Biotech will constantly improve. Which will mean three things:
a) there will be much more data to sort through! It will be important to let the questions being asked direct data analyses.
b) workers will need to be nimble to improve their lab skills. The same principles of good practices will apply!
c) AI tools will be in the workplace. Workers will need to understand these tools and know whether or not they are appropriate for what they are trying to use, and not trust them blindly.
Luz Garcini PhD, MPH
Assistant ProfessorWhat will help Directors Of Cell Biology increase their earning potential?
Luz Garcini PhD, MPH: Build a unique niche and new skills (another language), disseminate your work via high impact networks/avenues, get mentoring in negotiation.
What general advice would you give to a Director Of Cell Biology?
Jacob Nordman: Salary potential in my field of neuroscience almost always involves publications, awards, and technical acumen. Therefore, as I mentioned, it is important to start early looking for opportunities that can strengthen these areas. Another important aspect of getting high-profile, and thus high-paying, positions, is being able to tell a story with your research and career. Employers want to see that you have thought deeply and strategically about your career and where it’s going. This will allow them to believe you are a safe bet and worthy of their investment.
What will help Directors Of Cell Biology increase their earning potential?
Lindsey du Toit: Take every opportunity you can to learn, network, and build an effective team of people that bring a greater breadth and depth of skills and expertise to the work on which you will be focusing. Cultivate a life-long sense of intellectual curiosity and learning. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Treat ignorance as an opportunity to learn. Questions demonstrate you want to understand the situation/problem effectively and that you are paying attention. Always demonstrate integrity in your work. It is one of the most valuable traits you can bring to your career. Be kind and supportive of your colleagues.
What will help Directors Of Cell Biology increase their earning potential?
Arjumand Ghazi Ph. D: Having an advanced degree such as a PhD and even a few years postdoc is a good way to start at a higher level. It often allows one to make up for the reduced earnings during the training periods while increasing long-term earnings.
Andrew Riquier Ph.D.
InstructorUniversity of Nebraska - Omaha
Neurobiology And Neurosciences
What general advice would you give to a Director Of Cell Biology?
Andrew Riquier Ph.D.: Apply for the positions you want, even if you feel underqualified. I know plenty of people who have applied for jobs they didn't quite meet the requirements for, and got hired for other reasons. In my experience, many recent graduates choose to take time to strengthen their resumes by retaking classes, working jobs they don't particularly want to get experience, etc. There is some value in that, particularly if you have been unsuccessful attaining the position you want, or if you want to see if you even enjoy that type of work. But if you are confident in what you want to do, go for it; in the worst-case scenario, you are in the same position you would be if you hadn't applied, but now you have experience applying and have potentially gained a contact in the field.
Meredith O'Hara Ph.D.
Associate Dean at College of Science and EngineeringHouston Baptist University
Biology Department
What type of skills will young Directors Of Cell Biology need?
Meredith O'Hara Ph.D.: Regardless of principal or career interest, computer literacy is undoubtedly an imperative skill in today's workforce, and likely this won't change, even after Zoom and other virtual platforms are no longer a necessity for our safety. Even biologists need to be computer savvy to search online databases for protocols and previous research articles, analyze experimental data, and present data in a concise, accurate, and visually-pleasing ways. Another skill biologists will always need is the ability to think independently and collaboratively. This may sound contradictory, but as much as scientists and doctors work independently, their ability and willingness to collaborate is just as important. This becomes even more crucial during times like this when we are facing so many unknowns.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Directors Of Cell Biology to find work opportunities?
Meredith O'Hara Ph.D.: Houston, TX, is a fantastic place for graduates with a biology degree because of the expansive Texas Medical Center. World-renowned scientific researchers and top-notch doctors seek out the Medical Center as a workplace because of its resources and ability to collaborate with others. Graduates with a biology degree can work as lab technicians, research assistants, or even in sales for one of the many biotechs, pharmaceutical, or medical device companies located in Houston.
Dr. Howard Whiteman
Professor of Biological Sciences, Director of the Watershed Studies InstituteMurray State University
Department of Biological Sciences
How would you rate the starting salaries for Directors Of Cell Biology, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Howard Whiteman: Poor. Right now, people in these fields are not in it for the money; they do it because they have a passion for conservation, or science, or both. I do not see that changing shortly, but hope springs eternal.
Nicole Browning Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology, Biology CoordinatorBrenau University
Math and Science Department in the college of Health Sciences
What experience really stands out on Director Of Cell Biology resumes?
Nicole Browning Ph.D.: Biology is a broad field, but the one thing that stands out on a resume, across the board, is research experience. If a graduate has experience in lab-based and field-based research, it will put them ahead of competing peers that haven't had this experience before. The research need not be directly related to the position they are hoping to secure either. Any research involvement will show a potential employer that you have experience with experimental design, sample collection and processing, data analysis, and problem-solving skills; if you can be listed as an author on published research papers, even better!
What type of skills will young Directors Of Cell Biology need?
Dr. Douglas Capone Ph.D.: In addition to the essential skill set of an oceanographic discipline (biological, chemical, physical or geological fields) - being adaptable, having a breadth of knowledge and ability to cross disciplinary boundaries and communication skills e.g., the ability to talk to regulators, policymakers, and the general public will all help.