How To Become A Professor Of Biology: What It Is and Career Path

What is a professor of biology and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Estella Atekwana Ph.D.

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a professor of biology. For example, did you know that they make an average of $38.6 an hour? That's $80,294 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 12% and produce 159,400 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a professor of biology?

Estella Atekwana Ph.D.

Dean, University of Delaware

There's no question entering the job market this year has been challenging. The effects of the pandemic have been felt in every industry, and some of the fields in which geoscientists make a living, like the energy market, are subject to uncertainty for both economic and political reasons. But in one sense, geoscientists are in a better position than many because of the relevance of the geosciences to society. The education we provide students -a knowledge of geoscience across disciplinary boundaries-and the development of soft skills such as team work, working collaboratively, problem solving, critical thinking, communication and more-are what industry employers are seeking, and they help students navigate the rapidly changing job landscape.

ScoreProfessor Of BiologyUS Average

Salary

6.3

Avg. Salary $80,294

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.2

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.28%

Asian 11.76%

Black or African American 7.25%

Hispanic or Latino 10.32%

Unknown 4.95%

White 65.44%

Gender

female 42.37%

male 57.63%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress level

5.2

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

10.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.7

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a professor of biology

Explore professor of biology education requirements

Most common professor of biology degrees

Bachelor's

46.5 %

Master's

25.7 %

Doctorate

21.9 %

Start to develop specific professor of biology skills

Skills	Percentages
General Biology	8.38%
Molecular Biology	7.54%
Research Projects	7.53%
Genetics	6.84%
Anatomy	6.74%

Research professor of biology duties and responsibilities

Manage externally fund genome sequencing projects as a principal investigator.
Serve as a guest lecturer for both genetics and evolution in a variety of courses.
Develop microprocessor, computer architecture and embed lecture/lab courses that cover 6800/68332/Hc11, Intel and PIC microprocessors and microcontrollers.
Review and provide input on the design of epidemiologic study of relationship between the prevalence of hypertension and dietary factors.

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