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Job outlook for molecular biology professors in the United States
Are molecular biology professor jobs in demand?
Molecular biology professor job and salary trends over time
Molecular biology professor jobs over time
Molecular biology professor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 949 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 840 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 808 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 860 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 758 | 0.00% |
Average molecular biology professor salary over time
Molecular biology professor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $75,849 | $36.47 | +3.7% |
| 2024 | $73,119 | $35.15 | +3.3% |
| 2023 | $70,780 | $34.03 | +3.8% |
| 2022 | $68,201 | $32.79 | +2.5% |
| 2021 | $66,512 | $31.98 | --0.5% |
Molecular biology professor jobs by state
Most common states for molecular biology professors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 77 | 11% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 53 | 8% |
| 3 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 105 | 6% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 421 | 5% |
| 5 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 300 | 5% |
| 6 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 221 | 5% |
| 7 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 92 | 5% |
| 8 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 47 | 5% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 40 | 5% |
| 10 | New York | 19,849,399 | 819 | 4% |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 471 | 4% |
| 12 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 243 | 4% |
| 13 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 165 | 4% |
| 14 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 136 | 4% |
| 15 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 121 | 4% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 39 | 4% |
| 17 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 280 | 3% |
| 18 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 190 | 3% |
| 19 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 107 | 3% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 43 | 3% |
Most common cities for molecular biology professors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami | 1 | 0% | $71,343 |
Molecular Biology Professor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of molecular biology professor experts
Oklahoma State University
Lake Superior State University
North Carolina State University
Coastal Carolina University
Stockton University
Norfolk State University
Carthage College
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Maryville University
University of New Hampshire- Manchester
Paine College
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Texas A&M University
Drexel University
University of Arizona
William & Mary
University of San Francisco
What general advice would you give to a Molecular Biology Professor?
Vicki Singer Ph.D.: The biggest difference in what one would do on a daily basis as a bioscientist is between someone entering professional life with an undergraduate versus a graduate degree rather than on the specific discipline one chooses to study.
What Molecular Biology Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Riley Messman PhD: In the next few years, skills related to data analysis and technology will be used in animal science. Within the next few years, electronic identification systems, precision agriculture, and software applications are likely to become increasingly crucial. Communication skills for engaging with diverse stakeholders and navigating regulatory changes could also gain importance.
What general advice would you give to a Molecular Biology Professor?
Dr. Kevin Kapuscinski Ph.D.: Traditional fisheries skills such as setting and lifting nets, and collecting biological data from fish will continue to be important. Managing, analyzing, and interpreting data using spreadsheets and statistical software are also essential in fisheries. Other skills such as acoustic telemetry (deploying & maintaining receivers, implanting fish with transmitters), analyzing spatial data or other 'big data' sets, and laboratory skills (e.g., eDNA, water quality, emerging contaminants) are likely to increase in demand as technologies continue to develop.
What Molecular Biology Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Justin Whitehill Ph.D.: In the area of genetics and genomics, the identification of areas of the genome that can be CRISPR’d and used to add an immediate benefit is going to be very important as every cropping system races to make genome editing a reality. AI will likely play a huge role in predicting genes/regions of the genome that will provide the biggest benefits.
What general advice would you give to a Molecular Biology Professor?
Jennifer Slate PhD: Because there are so many types of jobs in biology, there is a job to suit everyone! Jobs may be people-oriented, focus primarily on labwork, or even allow one to spend time outdoors. Many (but not all) jobs in biology require further education after finishing the bachelor’s degree. Biology graduates often go on to health professional programs, to obtain teaching certification, or to obtain a master’s or PhD degree.
What Molecular Biology Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jennifer Slate PhD: There is currently a huge demand for workers in biology and other STEM professions. Healthcare workers are especially needed in nursing, medicine, and physical therapy. There is a shortage of teachers, particularly those who can teach biology or other sciences. The huge amount of biological data that is available, such as in genetics and environmental biology, means that scientists with analytical skills have great job opportunities.
What will help Molecular Biology Professors increase their earning potential?
Jennifer Slate PhD: There are so many different types of jobs in biology, to suit people of different interests. Biologists work in health care, in research labs, in environmental protection, and in teaching- just to name a few fields. Responsibilities on a day-to-day basis will depend upon the particular job field. Common skills required on a daily basis include use of computer software, ability to make and record detailed observations, and teamwork/communication skills.
What general advice would you give to a Molecular Biology Professor?
Danielle Silvia: There are many emerging trends and changes in the natural world making biology a fascinating career to embark on. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of biology is predicted to see a 5% increase in job growth through 2032, as biologists are in high demand across areas such as healthcare, environmental science, sustainability, biotechnology, and more. Due to pressing issues like climate change, the disappearance of species and nature, public health crises, drug development, and genetic engineering, becoming a biologist today will provide career advancement tomorrow. You’ll have the opportunity to make a difference in important areas of society while pursuing an intellectually stimulating career for the long-term.
What Molecular Biology Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Danielle Silvia: A day in the life of a biologist typically involves researching various forms of life, such as bacteria, animals, plants, how they impact the world around them, and vice versa. Biologists may run experiments to work towards answering these questions, using some of the latest and greatest scientific tools and techniques in a laboratory setting. The job scope also includes collecting and reviewing data from research and experiments, and creating reports based on findings to solve important problems. Biologists work at all levels on organisms from the molecular to the whole organism to populations.
What will help Molecular Biology Professors increase their earning potential?
Danielle Silvia: Working in the field of biology offers a variety of distinct occupations, and the likes and dislikes may vary from person to person. However, if you’re somebody who enjoys thinking analytically, asking big questions then testing them, and exploring natural environments, this career path may be the right fit for you.
Derek Crane Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorCoastal Carolina University
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, And Population Biology
What will help Molecular Biology Professors increase their earning potential?
Derek Crane Ph.D.: Some of our greatest challenges as a global society, such as food security under a changing climate, predicting, preventing, and handling of future pandemics, and rapid loss of biodiversity are based in biology. We need smart, energetic, and motivated people to address these issues.
What general advice would you give to a Molecular Biology Professor?
Dr. Adam Aguiar Ph.D.: Biology offers a variety of career opportunities in labs, industry, journalism, environmental organizations, policy-making, teaching, etc. The field is essential for addressing societal challenges and is stable in society.
Nazir Barekzi Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorNorfolk State University
Biology
What general advice would you give to a Molecular Biology Professor?
Nazir Barekzi Ph.D.: In order to maximize the salary potential in the field of Biology, stay focused to the fundamental basics and use your skillset to problem solve obstacles and overcome them with confidence. You are no longer in the classroom, so it's time to show off all that you know. In addition, leverage your skills learned in hands-on labs to maximize your salary potential.
What Molecular Biology Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dana Garrigan Ph.D.: All of biology continues to be shaped by emerging technologies. A key skill for a successful scientist is the ability to creatively use new tools. Understanding biotechnology, an ability to make sense of increasingly large data sets, and the potential use of AI to solve problems are going to be significant to all biologists moving forward.
Professor Susan Bergeson
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Biotechnology
What Molecular Biology Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Susan Bergeson: A joint MBA along with an MS in Biotechnology is usually helpful.
Stacy Donovan Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology and Forensic ScienceMaryville University
College of Arts and Sciences
What soft skills should all Molecular Biology Professors possess?
Stacy Donovan Ph.D.: -Ability to work independently
-Ability to work collaboratively
-Ability to communicate effectively to a wide variety of stakeholders
-Ability to ask questions
What skills will help Molecular Biology Professors earn the most?
Stacy Donovan Ph.D.: When examining job ads for an entry-level position, as I often see that pay is dependent upon experience. I encourage students to apply for internships to obtain skills outside of research and university laboratory courses. If an internship is not possible, then I encourage students to take as many courses with laboratories as they can to increase their skill level and marketability. Students should look for upper-level biology and chemistry laboratory courses that have tangible skills like biochemistry, quantitative analysis, molecular biology, microbiology, or instrumental analysis. Coding courses are also beneficial for students wanting to apply for jobs involving genomic analysis.
Kristen Johnson Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of BiotechnologyUniversity of New Hampshire- Manchester
Biotechnology Department
What soft skills should all Molecular Biology Professors possess?
Kristen Johnson Ph.D.: Communication, Team work, problem-solving.
What skills will help Molecular Biology Professors earn the most?
Kristen Johnson Ph.D.: Again, this is really dependent upon the job. In many cases, some of the highest-earning jobs in the biotech industry are those that may fall in the business side rather than R&D. So, complementing one's lab skills with business acumen and full knowledge of the business of biotech can be very helpful.
Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of BiologyPaine College
Department Of Mathematics Sciences & Technology
What soft skills should all Molecular Biology Professors possess?
Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.: Flexibility, Communication, Leadership, Team work, thorough understanding of underlying concepts for biological principles, etc., are required for Biology students.
What skills will help Molecular Biology Professors earn the most?
Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.: Both Hard and Soft skills explained above would earn the most.
Kyle DiVito Ph.D.
Associate Director of Biotechnology, Assistant ProfessorGeorgetown University School of Medicine
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology
What hard/technical skills are most important for Molecular Biology Professors?
Kyle DiVito Ph.D.: From my perspective, the technical skills that are frequently noticed are individuals with training in specific techniques such as gene editing (think CRISPR), vaccine development, tissue engineering, fermentation/bioprocessing skills, and broad knowledge of immunology. While these are a list of varied topics, the biotechnology sector itself is broad and varied, and therefore students or employees seeking to enter the discipline should consider taking courses in these areas or seeking professional advancement in one of the many opportunities that are available within this sector.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Molecular Biology Professor job market given the pandemic?
G. Cliff Lamb: Technology in agricultural systems are being adopted in animal agriculture at an increasing rate. This technology ranges from technology in production agriculture (such as genetic technologies and applied reproductive technologies), to sustainability of our natural resources in animal production systems (such as sensor technology and machine learning/artificial intelligence), to the allied industry supporting animal agriculture (such as research and development of products for improved herd health and production. Therefore, the job market for animal scientists will be diverse, but for a modernized agricultural system.
Roy Carriker Ph.D.
Visiting ProfessorDrexel University
The Charles D Close School of Entrepreneurship
What general advice would you give to a Molecular Biology Professor?
Roy Carriker Ph.D.: The best advice I can give a graduate at the beginning of their career is to keep looking ahead and assessing the path forward. Just because you started your career as a chemist or in supply chain management doesn't necessarily mean you have to stick with that path the rest of your life.
In fact, the pace of change in the world suggests you may have several careers in your lifetime. I have practiced what I preach - starting life as a physicist, pivoting to an entrepreneurial endeavor, pivoting again to a global corporate career, pivoting again to venture capital, and finally giving back through education. Each of these steps grew me as a person and were exciting, as well as rewarding. Remember in pivoting, you don't lose what you have learned and experienced; you have it to build on.
Anne Wertheimer Ph.D.
Assistant Research Professor, Assistant Professor, Applied BioSciences - GIDP, Director, Viper InstituteUniversity of Arizona
Department of Immunobiology, Department of Medicine
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Molecular Biology Professor job market given the pandemic?
Anne Wertheimer Ph.D.: More need for employees with strong bioinformatics and computational skills in general.
What type of skills will young Molecular Biology Professors need?
S. Laurie Sanderson Ph.D.: Young graduates will benefit from problem-solving skills, interpersonal and teamwork skills, quantitative skills, and strong writing abilities.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Molecular Biology Professors in the next 5 years?
Cary Lai Ph.D.: We expect to see the demand for new biotechnology employees continue to increase over the next five years. Companies will be interested in hiring students with Masters degrees in particular, and students with lab research experience.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Molecular Biology Professors to find work opportunities?
Cary Lai Ph.D.: The biotechnology industry is very localized in the United States. Most jobs are in the three major biotechnology hubs - Boston, San Francisco, and San Diego. Seattle and the North Carolina 'research triangle' area may be emerging new biotechnology hubs as well.