What Can You Do With a Biology Degree? Jobs and Careers by Education Level

By Chris Gaglardi
| Last Updated September 2, 2026

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A biology degree can lead to laboratory, environmental, wildlife, education, research, healthcare-adjacent, and scientific-business careers. The catch is that those paths do not all start with the same credential.

Some jobs commonly associated with biology are realistic bachelor's-level options. Others typically require a master's degree, a doctorate, professional school, state licensure, or a separate occupational program. That distinction matters a lot more than another giant list of "biology careers."

It also helps explain why biology graduates take such different paths. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data based on the 2023 American Community Survey, 59 percent of employed workers with a biology degree had an advanced degree. That does not mean every biology major needs graduate school. It does mean you should choose the target occupation first and work backward to the education, experience, and credentials it actually requires.

Biology Careers at a Glance

The table below separates careers by their typical entry pathway. National median wages are from May 2025 BLS data, and projected annual openings cover the 2025-2035 period.

* BLS data cover high school teachers generally, not biology teachers specifically.
** BLS combines clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in the wage/openings data.

These figures are occupational medians, not expected starting salaries for biology graduates. Pay varies by experience, employer, industry, geography, and the exact job you qualify for.

What Jobs Can You Get With an Associate Degree in Biology?

This is where career lists tend to get sloppy.

Many general Associate of Science or Associate in Science for Transfer biology programs are explicitly designed to prepare students for a bachelor's degree. For example, Massasoit Community College publishes a Biology Transfer AS, and California's official Biology AS-T transfer model curriculum is built around lower-division preparation for four-year study.

That makes a general biology associate degree potentially useful, but not necessarily as a stand-alone occupational credential. If your goal is to enter the workforce after roughly two years, check whether the program was designed primarily for transfer or for applied occupational preparation.

Realistic two-year science pathways

Environmental science and protection technician: BLS lists an associate degree as the typical entry credential, usually in environmental science, environmental health, public health, or a related field. The work can include collecting air, soil, or water samples, laboratory analysis, inspections, documentation, and environmental compliance. The May 2025 median wage was $55,090, with about 5,300 openings projected per year.

Agricultural or food science technician: Requirements vary. BLS says some employers require or prefer an associate or bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, agriculture, or a related field, while others may accept a high school diploma plus related experience. The combined occupation had a $51,160 median wage in May 2025 and about 5,900 projected annual openings.

Clinical laboratory technician: This is a more specialized route. BLS says clinical laboratory technicians typically complete an associate program in clinical laboratory science. That is different from assuming a general biology AS automatically provides the clinical training employers want.

The two-year decision that actually matters

The practical rule is simple: if you want a job after two years, program design matters more than the word "science" on the diploma. Ask what graduates actually qualify to do, whether the program is intended for transfer, and which employers hire from it.

For a broader explanation of AA, AS, AAS, and transfer degrees, see What Is an Associate Degree?.

Bachelor of Science in Biology Careers: Jobs You Can Pursue With a Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree is where the direct biology-career map gets considerably wider. Even then, a general degree is strongest when your electives and experience line up with a target field.

1. Biological Technician or Research Assistant

This is one of the cleanest direct-entry paths for a biology graduate. Biological technicians assist scientists with laboratory setup, experiments, samples, data collection, observation, calculations, and reporting.

BLS says the occupation typically requires a bachelor's degree in biology or a related field. The median annual wage was $57,510 in May 2025, and employment is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 9,400 openings per year.

Laboratory experience matters. Coursework with substantial lab time, undergraduate research, internships, or paid lab work can help you demonstrate that you know more than the theory behind an experiment. O*NET also lists tools such as laboratory information management systems (LIMS), database software, spreadsheets, and analytical/scientific software among technologies used in the occupation.

2. Environmental Scientist or Specialist

Environmental scientists investigate problems affecting the environment or human health and may work for consulting firms, engineering companies, government agencies, or other organizations.

BLS lists a bachelor's degree in natural science or a related field as the typical entry credential. Median pay was $82,220 in May 2025, with 6 percent projected growth and about 7,300 openings per year.

Biology can be a strong foundation, especially when paired with relevant environmental coursework and practical skills. O*NET's current profile emphasizes data collection and analysis, regulatory compliance, technical reports, and computer use. In 2025 employer postings linked to the occupation, Excel and GIS/ArcGIS were among the more frequently mentioned software skills.

3. Microbiologist

Microbiologists study microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae, and viruses. They work in settings that can include pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing, research and development, government, universities, and testing laboratories.

A bachelor's degree is the typical entry education. A biology degree can fit well if you build enough microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and laboratory experience into the program. BLS reports a May 2025 median wage of $87,990, 6 percent projected growth, and about 1,500 openings per year.

Some research-heavy positions require graduate education, so look beyond the job title and read the actual requirements.

4. Forensic Science Technician

Forensic science technicians collect or analyze evidence for criminal investigations. BLS says they typically need a bachelor's degree, often in a physical science, biology, or forensic science.

The May 2025 median wage was $72,060. Employment is projected to grow 13 percent through 2035, although this remains a relatively small occupation, with about 20,100 jobs in 2025 and approximately 2,800 openings projected per year.

Depending on the job, the work may be primarily laboratory-based or may involve crime scenes, irregular hours, courtroom testimony, and employer-specific background or training requirements.

5. Zoologist or Wildlife Biologist

If animals, ecosystems, conservation, or field research are the goal, biology can be a viable starting point. BLS says zoologists and wildlife biologists typically need a bachelor's degree for entry-level jobs, may need a master's for higher-level positions, and typically need a Ph.D. to lead research projects.

Median pay was $76,780 in May 2025, with 4 percent projected growth and roughly 1,400 openings per year.

Relevant ecology, zoology, statistics, field experience, and GIS skills can matter. O*NET lists GIS tools as well as R and Python among technologies used in the occupation, but that does not mean every wildlife job requires programming. Match the skill investment to the jobs you actually want.

For a broader look at animal and conservation occupations, see TSNET's Wildlife Jobs guide rather than trying to cram the whole field onto this page.

6. Agricultural or Food Science Technician

This role is unusual because the education route is flexible. BLS says some employers require or prefer an associate or bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, agriculture, or a related field; others may accept relevant work experience with less formal education.

Agricultural and food science technicians had a combined median wage of $51,160 in May 2025, with 5 percent projected growth and about 5,900 annual openings.

For a biology graduate, this can be a practical option if your lab, microbiology, food science, plant science, or quality-control experience matches the employer's work.

7. Technical or Scientific Sales Representative

Not every biology career happens at a lab bench. Companies selling pharmaceuticals, medical instruments, laboratory equipment, agricultural products, and other scientific goods need people who can understand technical products and explain them to customers.

BLS says representatives selling scientific or technical products typically need at least a bachelor's degree, often in a field related to the products sold. The May 2025 median for technical and scientific wholesale/manufacturing sales representatives was $104,920.

That number needs context. Compensation often includes commissions or bonuses, travel can be substantial, and BLS does not publish a separate annual-openings figure for the technical/scientific subgroup. The commonly quoted 123,400 openings figure covers the much broader wholesale and manufacturing sales category.

8. High School Biology Teacher

A biology bachelor's can provide the subject-matter foundation for teaching science, but public-school teaching is not a degree-only career.

BLS says public high school teachers must have state-issued certification or licensure, and many states require an academic background in the subject taught. Alternative certification routes exist for people who already have a bachelor's degree.

High school teachers overall had a median wage of $72,040 in May 2025. Employment is projected to show little or no net change through 2035, but about 63,500 openings per year are expected, largely because workers leave the occupation or retire. Those figures cover all high school teachers, not biology teachers specifically.

What About Clinical Laboratory Jobs With a Biology Bachelor's?

This path needs more nuance than either "yes" or "no."

BLS says clinical laboratory technologists typically need a bachelor's degree in medical technology or a related life-sciences field such as biology or chemistry. Some states require laboratory personnel to be licensed or registered, and employers may prefer certification.

Federal CLIA rules also allow a qualifying bachelor's degree in a biological science as one route for high-complexity testing personnel. But that does not mean every biology graduate is automatically ready for every medical laboratory scientist job.

Clinical training, certification eligibility, state licensing rules, and employer standards can add requirements. For example, ASCP's MLS certification has its own education and experience routes, including accredited medical laboratory science training pathways.

So the useful answer is:

A biology bachelor's may satisfy the academic foundation for some clinical-lab roles, but you must verify the exact state, employer, and certification requirements before treating medical laboratory science as a direct-entry plan.

If clinical diagnostics is your actual goal, compare a general biology degree with dedicated medical laboratory science training before enrolling.

BA vs. BS in Biology: Does the Degree Label Change Your Career Options?

Sometimes, but not in a universal way.

Universities design their BA and BS programs differently. At Duke, for example, the BS requires additional math, organic chemistry, and physics and is recommended for students considering biological or biomedical science careers. Duke describes its BA as the more liberal-arts-oriented option. UConn similarly recommends the BS for students planning a scientific career while noting that its BA still prepares students for many careers and graduate study.

That pattern is common: a BS often includes more chemistry, physics, mathematics, quantitative work, or laboratory science, while a BA often provides more room for interdisciplinary electives or a second major.

But the letters BA and BS are not a national curriculum standard. Boston College is a good reminder: its BA does not by itself satisfy that university's pre-health course plan, while another school's BA may be structured differently.

Choose by curriculum, not mythology

Before picking BA or BS, compare:

1. Chemistry requirements
2. Physics requirements
3. Calculus, statistics, and other quantitative courses
4. Upper-level laboratory opportunities
5. Undergraduate research access
6. The prerequisites for graduate or professional programs you may pursue
7. The actual requirements in job postings for your target career

For medical school specifically, AAMC says there is no required or preferred undergraduate major. What matters is completing the prerequisites and competencies required by the medical schools you plan to apply to.

Biology Careers That Usually Require Graduate School

A bachelor's can start a biology career. It does not automatically qualify you to direct independent research or enter every specialized science occupation.

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury. BLS says at least a master's degree is typically required, commonly an MPH or another related master's. A bachelor's in biology is one possible foundation for graduate study.

The May 2025 median wage was $87,220. Employment is projected to grow 19 percent through 2035, with about 800 openings per year.

Medical Scientist

Medical scientists conduct research intended to improve human health. BLS says they typically need a Ph.D. or medical degree, although some positions may be available to candidates with a master's plus experience.

The May 2025 median wage was $103,410, with 13 percent projected growth and about 10,500 annual openings.

Biochemist or Biophysicist

BLS says a Ph.D. is typically needed for independent research and development positions in biochemistry and biophysics. Bachelor's and master's degree holders can qualify for some entry-level roles.

Median pay was $127,410 in May 2025, employment is projected to grow 12 percent, and about 2,900 openings are projected per year. Many Ph.D. holders begin with postdoctoral research positions, which is another reason not to treat the six-figure occupational median as a bachelor's-level salary promise.

Do You Actually Need Graduate School for a Biology Career?

Not automatically.

Graduate school makes sense when the occupation you want actually requires it or when the specialization provides a clear advantage you have decided is worth the time and cost.

You can pursue bachelor's-level paths such as biological technician, environmental scientist, forensic science technician, some microbiology roles, technical/scientific sales, and certain wildlife or agricultural roles without automatically adding another degree.

Graduate education becomes much more central for epidemiology, independent biomedical research, advanced research leadership, and many academic careers.

The wrong reason to enroll is simply: "I have a biology degree and I don't know what job to apply for." Solve the occupation question first. Then decide whether another credential is actually part of the path.

Professional Careers Biology Can Prepare You For

Biology is also a popular pre-professional major. That is different from being the professional credential.

Medicine

AAMC explicitly says medical schools do not require or prefer a particular undergraduate major. Biology can be convenient because it overlaps with many prerequisite science courses, but students from humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and other majors can apply when they complete the requirements of their target schools.

Do not assume there is one national prerequisite checklist, either. Requirements vary by medical school.

Dentistry

ADEA likewise says no specific undergraduate major is required for dental-school admission. A strong science foundation is required, and dental schools commonly expect biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics coursework, with additional requirements varying by school.

Veterinary Medicine

AAVMC's current VMCAS applicant guidance says major choice is not a factor in veterinary-school admissions and that a bachelor's degree is not required at most U.S. veterinary schools. Applicants must complete each school's prerequisites regardless of major and should build relevant animal and veterinary experience.

Physician Assistant

PA is a master's-level professional path, not a job a biology bachelor's qualifies you to perform. BLS says applicants typically have a bachelor's plus patient-care experience, but individual program requirements vary.

Current PAEA program listings make that variation obvious: some programs specify different minimum amounts of healthcare or direct-patient-care experience, while the requirement status and accepted experience types differ across schools. Check the programs you intend to apply to rather than assuming one national hour requirement.

Pharmacy

Pharmacists typically need a Pharm.D. from an accredited pharmacy program, and every state requires licensure. BLS says admission requirements vary; some Pharm.D. programs require or prefer a bachelor's in biology, a health-related field, or a physical science, while others admit students after prerequisite undergraduate coursework.

The pattern across these professions is the same:

Biology can be excellent preparation, but it is not the license to practice.

That distinction also explains why it is misleading to put physician, dentist, veterinarian, pharmacist, or PA salaries into a list called "jobs you can get with a biology degree."

Skills That Can Make a Biology Degree More Employable

A broad degree becomes more useful when you pair it with evidence that you can do the work required in a particular setting.

For laboratory and biotech work

Prioritize hands-on laboratory experience. BLS specifically notes the value of lab experience for biological technicians, including experience gained through coursework and internships. Depending on the role, useful exposure can include laboratory instruments, experimental documentation, sample handling, data analysis, and laboratory information systems.

Do not collect techniques like Pokemon cards. Learn the methods that repeatedly appear in jobs you actually want.

For environmental work

Environmental careers combine science with documentation, regulations, fieldwork, and data. O*NET's 2026 environmental-scientist profile emphasizes collecting and analyzing environmental data, reviewing regulations, assessing compliance, and preparing technical information.

GIS can be useful here. In O*NET-linked 2025 employer postings for environmental scientists, ArcGIS and GIS systems were among the recurring software requirements, along with Excel.

For wildlife and ecology

Relevant field experience, statistics, GIS, and targeted ecology or zoology coursework can strengthen the path. O*NET lists GIS tools, R, and Python among technologies used by zoologists and wildlife biologists, but the right mix depends heavily on whether you want fieldwork, agency work, modeling, or research.

For quality and regulatory work

Scientific employers need people who can follow procedures, document work, evaluate data, and operate inside quality or regulatory systems. Courses or experience involving technical documentation, quality control, regulatory compliance, or laboratory information systems can help when those skills match the sector.

For computational biology

Statistics, programming, databases, and bioinformatics can open more quantitative paths, but coding is a specialization, not a universal prerequisite for every biology graduate.

If you like biology and data work, that combination may be worth deliberately building through electives, research, or a formal concentration rather than hoping a general biology curriculum covers enough by accident.

Build Your Biology Career Plan Before You Graduate

The easiest time to make a biology degree more career-specific is before you finish it.

1. Pick two or three target occupations. "Something in biology" is not a career plan.
2. Read actual job requirements. Note repeated coursework, software, laboratory methods, field skills, licenses, or experience requirements.
3. Use electives strategically. Build toward the target rather than collecting unrelated advanced courses because they fit your timetable.
4. Get practical experience. Research labs, internships, field projects, co-ops, and relevant part-time work can make your resume much easier for an employer to interpret.
5. Check graduate or professional requirements early. You do not want to discover after graduation that you skipped a prerequisite you could have taken as an elective.
6. Keep an alternative path. If your original plan is medical, dental, veterinary, or graduate school, make sure your bachelor's also leaves you with usable skills if that plan changes.

A biology degree is broad. That is either flexibility or ambiguity, depending on what you do with it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Biology Degree Jobs

What jobs can you get with a bachelor's degree in biology?

Realistic bachelor's-level options include biological technician, environmental scientist, forensic science technician, some microbiologist roles, wildlife biology roles, agricultural or food science work, and technical/scientific sales. Public high school teaching generally requires state certification or licensure in addition to the bachelor's degree. Exact employer requirements vary.

What jobs can you get with an associate degree in biology?

Some technician roles may accept an associate degree or related coursework, but many general biology AS and AS-T programs are designed primarily for transfer. Environmental science and protection technician and agricultural/food science technician are examples of occupations where associate-level preparation can be relevant. If direct employment after two years is the goal, compare a general transfer degree with applied occupational programs.

Is a BA or BS in biology better for jobs?

There is no universal winner. BS programs often require more chemistry, physics, math, quantitative work, or laboratory coursework, while BA programs often provide more elective flexibility. The exact difference varies by university. Compare the curriculum with the requirements of your target jobs or graduate programs.

Can you work in a lab with a bachelor's degree in biology?

Yes. Biological technician is a clear example: BLS lists a bachelor's in biology or a related field as the typical entry education. Other labs, especially clinical laboratories, may have additional certification, state licensing, clinical-training, or employer requirements.

Do most biology careers require graduate school?

No. Several biology-related occupations have a bachelor's as the typical entry education. However, advanced education is common among biology degree holders: BLS/ACS data show that 59 percent of employed workers with a biology degree had an advanced degree in 2023. Master's, doctoral, or professional education is particularly important for fields such as epidemiology, independent research, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy.

Is biology the best major for medical school?

Not necessarily. AAMC says medical schools do not require or prefer a particular undergraduate major. Biology is popular because it overlaps with prerequisite science courses, but applicants can major in other subjects if they complete the requirements for the schools they target.

What are some of the higher-paying biology-related careers?

Among the occupations discussed here, May 2025 BLS medians include $104,920 for technical and scientific wholesale/manufacturing sales representatives, $103,410 for medical scientists, and $127,410 for biochemists and biophysicists. The last two typically require advanced education, and the sales occupation is not specific to biology graduates. Do not compare those figures as though they were equivalent bachelor's-level outcomes.

Data and Source Notes

Career wages use U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. Outlook and annual openings use BLS 2025-2035 projections. Education requirements use current BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook guidance, supplemented where needed by CMS CLIA rules, AAMC, ADEA, AAVMC, PAEA, current university catalogs, and O*NET.

Primary sources used for this guide:

• BLS: Biology field of degree
• BLS: Biological Technicians
• BLS: Environmental Scientists and Specialists
• BLS: Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
• BLS: Agricultural and Food Science Technicians
• BLS: Microbiologists
• BLS: Forensic Science Technicians
• BLS: Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
• BLS: High School Teachers
• BLS: Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives
• BLS: Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
• BLS: Epidemiologists
• BLS: Medical Scientists
• BLS: Biochemists and Biophysicists
• CMS: CLIA testing personnel qualifications
• AAMC: Choosing a Premed Major
• ADEA: College Major
• AAVMC: VMCAS Applicant Guide
• PAEA: Program Directory
• Duke Biology: BA vs. BS FAQ
• UConn: Biological Sciences BA/BS
• Boston College: Biology major and pre-health planning
• Massasoit Community College: Biology Transfer AS
• California Community Colleges: Biology AS-T transfer model curriculum
• ASCP: Medical Laboratory Scientist credential routes
• BLS: Pharmacists
• O*NET: Biological Technicians
• O*NET: Environmental Scientists
• O*NET: Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Match the Training to the Career You Actually Want

Once you know the occupation, compare the education it really requires. A general biology degree, an applied associate program, a graduate degree, and a licensed healthcare program can lead to very different outcomes even when all of them involve biology.

If a separate career-focused credential turns out to be the better route, explore TSNET's healthcare training options or use the school search below to compare programs.