Biology
Biological & Biomedical Sciences · federal classification: Biology, General
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate's Degree | $45,555 | $38,036 to $49,641 | 48 | 85% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $56,508 | $49,401 to $63,223 | 936 | 93% |
| Master's Degree | $63,010 | $46,480 to $74,370 | 88 | 88% |
| Doctoral Degree | $105,042 | $86,946 to $150,264 | 17 | 100% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +4% (2024 to 2034), about 113,000 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $64,580 | -1.6% | 66,200 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $100,590 | +8.7% | 9,600 |
| Biological Technicians | $52,000 | +3.5% | 9,100 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $161,180 | +3.7% | 8,500 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $83,460 | +7.3% | 5,400 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $93,330 | +1.2% | 4,800 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, and the same occupations serve many majors, so these are the jobs this major commonly leads to, not positions reserved for its graduates; the openings should not be added up across majors.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.