Bachelor’s degrees in biology and the other sciences are a great gateway to various careers, but what jobs can you get with a masters in biology? The truth is that your career options increase exponentially when you have a masters in biology or another science. From laboratory research to environmental services, here’s an inside look at all the jobs you could pursue with a masters degree in biology.
With a master’s degree in biology, you can pursue a number of different careers.
Some people with this degree choose to go into the field of research, which is an area that has been growing rapidly over the past few years. As scientists try to find cures for diseases, discover new ways to solve problems and develop other technologies, there will be more jobs available for people who have advanced degrees in science.
Other people with a master’s in biology choose to teach at universities or other schools that offer classes on this subject.
There are also opportunities for you to work in government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or Department of Agriculture (USDA). These organizations need professionals who can help them monitor pollution levels and ensure that food products are safe for consumption.
What jobs can you get with a masters in biology
Introduction
What jobs can you get with a master’s degree in biology? What salary can you expect to earn? The answers to these questions depend on many factors, including your work experience and educational background. When deciding what path to take after earning a degree, it’s useful to know about potential careers and salaries for graduates of master’s in biology programs.
Below are some examples of potential jobs and salaries for master’s degree in biology graduates.
Below are some examples of potential jobs and salaries for master’s degree in biology graduates.
- Biologist: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), biologists earned a median salary of $57,740 in 2017. However, some areas of specialization pay more than others; for example, environmental scientists made an average salary of $65,230 per year and those who worked as microbiologists made $79,810 annually on average.
- Research assistant: Most research assistants work on campus at a university but can also find labs at hospitals or private companies that do research and development (R&D). The BLS reported a mean annual wage of $51,370 for all college-level assistants in 2016; however, since this position often requires a master’s degree or PhD and/or lab experience with animals or plants (in addition to good communication skills), most entry-level researchers earned upward of $70K annually after five years on the job!
Senior biological technician
A biological technician is a health care worker who performs laboratory tests and procedures to help physicians diagnose and treat patients. A biological technician’s job duties may include preparing samples for testing, isolating and growing cultures from samples, performing chemical analyses on body fluids, collecting tissue samples for biopsy and examining specimens under the microscope.
A four-year bachelor’s degree in biology or microbiology is typically required for this position. Advanced degrees are available at some schools but aren’t necessary for most technicians’ jobs.
Agriculture and food scientist
Agriculture and food scientists work in a variety of settings, including for food companies, research institutions, government agencies or universities. They study how to grow crops and animals; how to process and preserve foods; and how to improve the quality of food products.
A master’s degree in biology can lead to many positions in this field. You could work with farmers who are trying to grow more crops on their land or who want help with environmentally friendly practices that will best benefit their crops. You might conduct experiments at a university or government agency where you would study diseases that affect plants or animals used for food production. In research labs at private companies such as Kraft Foods or Nestle USA Inc., you would determine ways of improving ingredients used in popular brands like Cheetos cheese curls snacks made with cornmeal dough instead of wheat flour flakes that are cooked until they form puffy balls before being fried until golden brown (the process takes about 15 seconds per batch).
Zooplankton biologist
- What does a zooplankton biologist do?
- How much does a zooplankton biologist make?
A zooplankton biologist studies the tiny organisms that live in the water, known as zooplankton. If you’ve ever seen a drop of water under a microscope and been amazed by how many organisms are swimming around in there, you’ll understand why zoologist jobs exist. Zooplankton are extremely important to both ecosystems and economies—they’re food for fish, which become food for larger fish, which become food for humans who eat seafood. Zoologists work with all levels of zooplankton: from microorganisms like protozoans (single-celled animals) to krill (small crustaceans) to fish larvae and eggs.
Molecular biologist
Molecular biologists are responsible for the study of DNA and proteins. They are at the forefront of genetic research, where they look at how organisms develop and what causes them to mutate or become diseased. Molecular biologists need a master’s degree or PhD in biology to work in this field, which is a great choice if you’re interested in genetics and want to do something more hands-on than just studying it from afar!
Some people think that it would be fun to work with living organisms instead of just studying them from books—and if you’re one of those people then becoming a molecular biologist might be right up your alley! You can find jobs working for government laboratories as well as private labs (often pharmaceutical companies), universities and hospitals
Limnologist
Limnologists are scientists who study lakes, rivers and streams. They study how water quality and quantity affect the environment, as well as how animals adapt to those conditions.
Job outlook: The BLS projects job opportunities in this field will grow by 4% between 2016 and 2026.
Salary: The BLS reports that the median annual wage for limnologists was $80,590 in 2016, with the top 10 percent making $120,490 or more per year.
Education needed: A master’s degree is typically required for this position; however some employers may accept applicants with a related bachelor’s degree if experience is sufficient. If you plan to work for the government or one of its contractors then you’ll need a Ph.D., according to the U.S Department of Labor (USDOL). Skills needed: You should possess strong analytical skills so that you can identify solutions to complex problems through research or experimentation
Wildlife biologist
Wildlife biologists are people who study animals, both in the wild and in captivity. They conduct research on a variety of topics, including animal behavior and reproduction, habitat conservation, and disease transmission.
To become a wildlife biologist, you’ll need to have an advanced degree in biology (BS or MS) with multiple classes focused on the subject. You should also be good at communicating your findings through written reports and presentations for colleagues.
Wildlife biologists can earn anywhere between $45k-$120k per year depending on their experience level within the field; however this number will likely increase as time goes on due to technological advancements allowing them to conduct research remotely from their offices instead of having to travel long distances every day like they used to do back when dinosaurs roamed Earth!
Microbiologist
You can work as a microbiologist in many different settings, including academic research or government agencies. You may also find career opportunities working in the pharmaceutical industry.
As a microbiologist, you will be required to work in a laboratory setting and study the structure, growth, and development of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. This can include genetic engineering techniques that involve modifying the DNA sequences of microorganisms to make them more useful for medical purposes. Microbiologists often use their knowledge of chemistry and biology to create substances that prevent infections from spreading through populations or to kill harmful bacteria on contact (e.g., antibiotics).
Toxicologist
The scope of a toxicologist’s work is broad, and it can include a variety of disciplines. Toxicologists in the government and private sectors are responsible for protecting the health of humans and ecosystems from harmful chemicals. If you’re interested in this field, you’ll likely work directly with scientists to study the effects of substances like lead paint or mercury pollution on human health. Some may also spend their days performing tests on animals to see how chemicals affect them, though others will focus solely on studying data collected by their peers or conducting epidemiological studies (studies that analyze disease patterns).
This career path requires an advanced degree in biology or chemistry, but if you have those credentials already under your belt then there’s no time like the present! You might consider attending graduate school at one of these universities:* University of Maryland – College Park (UMD)* University of Michigan – Ann Arbor* University at Buffalo – SUNY
Biophysicist or biochemist
Biophysicists and biochemists study the structure and function of living organisms and their components. Biophysicists research the physical and chemical properties of living things, while biochemists study the chemical processes that occur in living things.
Both types of scientists work with cells, tissues, organs, organisms, or populations to understand how they work and why they function as they do. They also try to identify new ways to improve these functions for medical purposes or for improving agricultural products. Biologists who specialize in either field may conduct experiments in laboratories or use computer programs and other technology in order to analyze data that has already been collected by others
You can find a job in your field or branch out into new areas with a master’s degree.
With the right credentials, you can find a job in your field or branch out into new areas with a master’s degree. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that employment will grow by over 18% between 2014 and 2024 for biologists and life scientists. There are many jobs available within this broad category, from food science to forensics and everything in between.[2]
The BLS breaks down some of these categories:
- Biomedical engineers design medical devices and equipment used in hospitals, clinics and homes.[3] For example, biomedical engineers may design prosthetics that allow people with physical disabilities to regain their independence or create diagnostic equipment used to screen newborns for genetic disorders before they’re born.[4]
- Environmental science specialists study how humans affect the environment through pollution or other activities such as building dams or roads through wildlife habitats.[5] Another type of environmental scientist focuses on helping businesses improve energy efficiency in their operations; these professionals may work directly with manufacturing plants or advise clients on how best to invest in renewable energy sources like solar panels.[6]
Conclusion
As you can see, the possibilities for master’s degree in biology graduates are vast. With so many different career paths available, you have virtually unlimited opportunities to explore your interests and find a role that fits your needs. Plus, now that you know more about the job market, salary ranges and potential career paths available to you with this degree, it’s time to get started on making your dreams come true!