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Job outlook for resource biologists in the United States
Are resource biologist jobs in demand?
Resource biologist job and salary trends over time
Resource biologist jobs over time
Resource biologist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 207 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 195 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 192 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 192 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 184 | 0.00% |
Average resource biologist salary over time
Resource biologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $55,582 | $26.72 | +4.6% |
| 2024 | $53,151 | $25.55 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $51,795 | $24.90 | +3.5% |
| 2022 | $50,065 | $24.07 | +4.3% |
| 2021 | $48,015 | $23.08 | --0.5% |
Resource biologist jobs by state
Most common states for resource biologists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 83 | 12% |
| 2 | Alaska | 739,795 | 54 | 7% |
| 3 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 40 | 7% |
| 4 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 50 | 5% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 30 | 5% |
| 6 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 32 | 4% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 193 | 3% |
| 8 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 154 | 3% |
| 9 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 87 | 3% |
| 10 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 76 | 3% |
| 11 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 71 | 3% |
| 12 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 61 | 3% |
| 13 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 50 | 3% |
| 14 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 36 | 3% |
| 15 | California | 39,536,653 | 599 | 2% |
| 16 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 63 | 2% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 58 | 2% |
| 18 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 26 | 2% |
| 19 | Delaware | 961,939 | 24 | 2% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 23 | 2% |
Resource Biologist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of resource biologist experts
University of Northern Iowa
Lake Superior State University
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Coastal Carolina University
University of Rhode Island
Stockton University
Macalester College
Cornell University
Norfolk State University
Cleveland State University
American University
Quinnipiac University
Maryville University
Paine College
Arizona Christian University
William & Mary
Alison Hamilton
Assistant Teaching ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to a Resource Biologist?
Alison Hamilton: (As an aside----You do realize that you have asked this question of an academic biologist, right? Someone who spent way too much time in school earning way too many degrees and living on very little money until finally getting a “real” job after 16 years of post-graduate training and education……and still makes less than some of my students do when they graduate…..:) This is clearly something that I know NOTHING about😊)
Again, I think that having some experience will help. If you worked in the industry for 6 months while working on your degree you may be able to start at a higher salary than someone with no previous experience. The same may well be true for having in-demand coding or data analysis skills or even for experience with developing professional looking presentations, websites, or podcasts. Expertise and experience could result in a better offer and they will certainly increase interest in your resume.
What Resource Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alison Hamilton: The co-op advisers at UML work with lots of different employers in this area and they have told me that in addition to laboratory skills (which all of our biology majors have lots of exposure to) they are looking for students with strong written and oral communication skills. Other skills in demand are critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical skills. Given the innovations and new technologies in scientific fields, expertise in a particular technique or methodology may become less essential or be learned on the job, yet strong communication skills and expertise in data analysis will remain sought after by employers across the biological sciences.
Getting hands on experience and exposure to research is a great way to discover what you love, make your resume stand out and build professional relationships and networks that can help you secure a job when you graduate. I know that many of the students in Biological Sciences at UML who participated in a co-op with a local employer went on to work for that company after graduation.
What will help Resource Biologists increase their earning potential?
Alison Hamilton: Be sure to emphasize your strengths—even if they might not seem directly applicable to a position you are interested in. Your resume should include techniques, skills, and approaches with which you have experience, but think about other things you have accomplished, whether paid or volunteer. You don’t know when your language skills, fundraising experience, public speaking, partnership with a local community non-profit, or teenage years helping with the family fishing or farming business may matter. Biology is such a diverse discipline and new career pathways using the skills and education inherent in a biology degree are evolving all the time.
What general advice would you give to a Resource Biologist?
Theresa Spradling: All of the jobs that biologists do help other people, and that brings biologists personal satisfaction with their job.
What general advice would you give to a Resource Biologist?
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 general advice would you give to a Resource Biologist?
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 Resource Biologist 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 Resource Biologists 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 Resource Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Falk Huettmann: FH Some people might dismiss education overall, others do not like to acknowledge, or work on, environmental or biological aspects. But reality remains, we are living beings and surrounded by the living world. We are part of the world's biology; so it's best to be fluent on those matters and well educated.
What general advice would you give to a Resource Biologist?
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 Resource Biologist 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 Resource Biologists 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 Resource Biologists 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 Resource Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Brian Plouffe PhD: The biological sciences are an ever-evolving field, so graduates may be at the forefront of innovation in the fields of drug discovery and development, agriculture, and healthcare. With the new advances in genetic engineering and molecular biology, graduates will be involved in future advances that may change the work of medicine, food insecurity and sustainability, and climate control. The broad education of recent graduates will also give the foundation to find and keep a career in a wide variety of fields and industries.
What general advice would you give to a Resource Biologist?
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.
What Resource Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Elena Tonc: Stay curious and keep learning-the field is constantly evolving with new techniques and building on previous knowledge so it will be important to stay up-to-date. Also, more generally, there is always something new to learn in biology or explore a new subfield. Another thing to keep in mind is building relationships. Reach out to professionals who are on the career path you desire and schedule informational interviews as they are a fantastic way to gain insights, advice, and potentially even mentorship. Learning from others' experiences can help you navigate your career path more effectively and open up opportunities you might not have considered otherwise. The diversity of career trajectories in biology means there's no one-size-fits-all approach, so being proactive in seeking guidance and learning from others' journeys can be immensely valuable.
What will help Resource Biologists increase their earning potential?
Elena Tonc: Having a specialized skillset is one way to increase your compensation potential early in your career as those jobs are high in demand and companies might offer bigger salary incentives as a recruitment tool. Of course, negotiation is a big part too-don't be afraid to ask for higher compensation after researching salary ranges for similar positions in your location.
Professor Marvin Pritts
Professor of HorticultureCornell University
International Agriculture
What general advice would you give to a Resource Biologist?
Professor Marvin Pritts: Everyone has to eat, and as the population grows and resources diminish, there is ever increasing demand for more and better-quality food. Even the animals we eat rely on plant-based food. There will never be a time when plant science becomes obsolete. New pests and climate change require that the genetics of our crops and the ways crops are managed change as well. Preservation of our remaining natural areas is critical for ecosystem functioning and quality of life. When COVID hit, attendance at parks skyrocketed and has not diminished. Participation at pick-your-own farms went way up as people rediscovered a connection with nature and their food. So it's a great time to pursue a profession in plant science.
What Resource Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Marvin Pritts: Some jobs are mostly lab-based while others are field-based. Still others involve education or data management so would occur mostly inside. I think the best type of job is one that involves all three components, and a career in plant science can allow for one to participate in all of these. Lab-based jobs typically involve some sort of research, genetic studies, propagation, or analyses of samples. Field-based jobs typically involve growing or propagating plants, data collection or scouting, pest management, plant breeding, or crop and natural area management. The number of careers that fall under the plant science category is very diverse so there is no typical day. Even within a particular career, what is done in a day varies greatly by season of the year.
What will help Resource Biologists increase their earning potential?
Professor Marvin Pritts: Some jobs are mostly lab-based while others are field-based. Still others involve education or data management so would occur mostly inside. The best type of job involves all three components, and a career in plant science allows for one to participate in all of these. Lab-based jobs typically involve research, genetic studies, propagation, or analyses of samples. Field-based jobs involve growing or propagating plants, data collection or scouting, pest management, plant breeding, or crop and natural area management. The number of careers under plant science is diverse so there is no typical day. Even within a particular career, daily tasks vary greatly by season of the year.
What will help Resource Biologists increase their earning potential?
Kristen Willems PhD: Know your worth. How much are other companies and schools paying someone in this position? What are the different expectations and benefits in these positions as well. There are other things to consider when weight job offers than just salary.
Nazir Barekzi Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorNorfolk State University
Biology
What general advice would you give to a Resource Biologist?
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 Resource Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Anton Komar Ph.D.: Adaptability to a rapidly changing environment and ability to identify emerging opportunities. Ability to be proactive and take a lead in the project. Ability to stay self-motivated and not being afraid of the failure. On a practical level, knowledge of computational biology and related basic programming skills would be a plus and would continue to be in high demand for many years to come.
What Resource Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Meg Bentley: The perfect job does not exist, especially as you are beginning your career. But lots of jobs exist where you can learn from mentors and peers, learn new skills, get exposed to new applications! Don't be a perfectionist early in your career and be thoughtful about what you hope to gain from a particular job experience - then, check in with yourself every few months about whether you are gaining what you want. Also - find and cultivate mentors wherever you end up. These mentors, whether they be peers or bosses or people more junior are your professional network and you should learn as much from them as possible! Also - be nice.
What will help Resource Biologists increase their earning potential?
Meg Bentley: Remember that you are "starting your career" - even the most brilliant and capable people have to start somewhere, so don't attach a starting salary to your self-worth and don't think that a high salary will make up for a miserable job experience. Ask upfront questions about how your employer sets your initial salary and then handles and manages promotions and raises. Remember, that benefits other than salary count toward your overall compensation package (health insurance, retirement, childcare), so include those as well and ask about benefits that are really important to you. Also, do your homework - don't ask for a $90K starting salary when the CEO makes $110K. Once you accept an offer, be willing to listen to feedback on your performance and address it as best you can. Finally - seek out employers/companies where you can have balance, be happy, and do something that you think is important while also identifying ways to grow professionally and increase your salary.
Craig Magie Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology Quinnipiac University Department of Biological SciencesQuinnipiac University
Biology
What general advice would you give to a Resource Biologist?
Craig Magie Ph.D.: Decide what sort of biology you enjoy the most, and pursue a career based on that. For example, some students enjoy laboratory science and would be a good fit for a job in the pharmaceutical industry. Others enjoy being outside in nature and would be better served by a career in the forest service or something similar. The more you enjoy what you do, the more motivated you will be to do it well. Make sure you have marketable skills employers are looking for and play up your critical thinking skills and adaptability. You may not be familiar with the specific technologies used in a particular job, but if you can demonstrate that you are a quick and eager learner you will be a more attractive candidate.
What Resource Biologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Craig Magie Ph.D.: Decide what sort of biology you enjoy the most, and pursue a career based on that. For example, some students enjoy laboratory science and would be a good fit for a job in the pharmaceutical industry. Others enjoy being outside in nature and would be better served by a career in the forest service or something similar. The more you enjoy what you do, the more motivated you will be to do it well. Make sure you have marketable skills employers are looking for and play up your critical thinking skills and adaptability. You may not be familiar with the specific technologies used in a particular job, but if you can demonstrate that you are a quick and eager learner you will be a more attractive candidate.
Stacy Donovan Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology and Forensic ScienceMaryville University
College of Arts and Sciences
What soft skills should all Resource Biologists 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 Resource Biologists 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.
Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of BiologyPaine College
Department Of Mathematics Sciences & Technology
What skills stand out on Resource Biologist resumes?
Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.: Fundamentals of Biology, Principles, Mechanisms, Understanding of Biological Chemistry, and Evolution.
What soft skills should all Resource Biologists 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 hard/technical skills are most important for Resource Biologists?
Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.: I would say knowledge of Biological Techniques, about following the protocols for the ease of use, Experimental plan and design, Research Protocols, Analytical methods, etc.
What skills will help Resource Biologists earn the most?
Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.: Both Hard and Soft skills explained above would earn the most.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Resource Biologists?
Joseph Kezele: Microscope work
What type of skills will young Resource Biologists need?
S. Laurie Sanderson Ph.D.: Young graduates will benefit from problem-solving skills, interpersonal and teamwork skills, quantitative skills, and strong writing abilities.