Biologist

What does a biologist do?

• Plan and carry out experiments in laboratories or in the field.
• Collect and analyse samples of cells, tissues, plants, animals or microorganisms.
• Use statistics and software to analyse data and test ideas.
• Monitor wildlife, habitats and biodiversity for conservation projects.
• Write research papers, reports and funding applications.
• Present results to colleagues, clients, policymakers or the public.
• Follow strict safety and ethics rules when working with living organisms.

Where do they work?

Biologists work in universities, research institutes, hospitals, government agencies, environmental consultancies, zoos, museums, conservation charities, and biotechnology, pharmaceutical, food and agricultural companies. Laboratory biologists work indoors with specialist equipment, while ecologists and field biologists spend time outdoors, sometimes in remote places and in all weather. Research posts are often on fixed-term contracts linked to funding. Some biologists combine research with university teaching.

What skills do you need?

• Laboratory techniques
• Experimental design
• Statistics and data analysis
• Field survey methods
• Scientific writing
• Programming in R or Python
• Attention to detail
• Critical thinking

Official skills profile (ESCO)

Essential skills listed for this occupation in ESCO, the European Commission's multilingual classification of skills and occupations.

• send biological samples to laboratory
• gather experimental data
• apply scientific methods
• conduct research on fauna
• collect biological data
• perform scientific research
• conduct research on flora

Essential knowledge: scientific research methodology · botany · molecular biology · microbiology-bacteriology · biology · virology · laboratory techniques

How do you become a biologist?

Start with a bachelor's degree in biology or a specialised subject such as microbiology, zoology, marine biology, genetics or ecology. A bachelor's can lead to jobs as a laboratory technician, field assistant or research assistant. Most jobs with the title biologist, and almost all independent research roles, need a master's or PhD. Practical experience matters: summer research projects, volunteering with conservation groups and laboratory placements all help. Graduates in related subjects such as biomedical science, agriculture or environmental science can move into biology through a relevant master's.

1. Degree and research. A bachelor's in biology or a specialist area, followed by a master's and often a PhD, is the standard route into research. A PhD usually takes three to five years, depending on the country. Many researchers then work in short-term postdoctoral posts before they find a permanent position, which is competitive.
2. Industry and applied roles. Graduates with a bachelor's or master's can work in quality control, laboratory analysis, clinical trials, biotechnology or environmental consultancy. Employers value laboratory skills, data analysis and knowledge of quality and safety standards. You can build a career in industry without a PhD, although it helps for leadership roles in research and development.
3. Technician route. Some people start as laboratory or field technicians after vocational training or an apprenticeship, then study part-time for a degree. This route builds strong practical skills and can lead to scientist roles, but moving into independent research usually still needs a master's or PhD.

Degrees that lead to this career

• Biology

  A biology degree teaches how living things work, from molecules and cells to whole organisms and ecosystems.

  6 linked careers

• Biomedical science

  A biomedical science degree teaches the biology of human health and disease, and how laboratory tests help doctors diagnose and treat patients.

  6 linked careers

• Environmental science

  An environmental science degree studies how the natural world works and how human activity affects air, water, soil, wildlife and climate.

  6 linked careers

• Agriculture

  An agriculture degree teaches the science and business of producing food and other products from crops and animals, from soil and plant science to farm management and sustainability.

  5 linked careers

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Do you need a licence to work as a biologist?

Biology is not a regulated profession in most countries, so you do not need a licence to work as a biologist. However, some tasks need permits or approval, such as research on animals, handling protected species or working with dangerous microorganisms. Voluntary professional recognition exists in some countries, for example Chartered Biologist status in the UK. Biologists who work in hospital laboratories may need to register as biomedical or clinical scientists.

How much does a biologist earn?

Pay in the United States

• $98,920Median annual wage, May 2025
• $60,430–$168,010Range from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%
• 55.9KPeople employed in the US

US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 19-1029, May 2025. National estimates across all industries; excludes the self-employed.

Earnings of Professionals around the world

Most countries do not publish pay for single job titles. The International Labour Organization collects median monthly earnings for broad occupation groups instead. This career belongs to ISCO-08 major group 2, "Professionals". The table covers the whole group, which includes biologist and many other occupations.

Source: ILOSTAT, median monthly earnings of employees, latest year available. PPP$ adjusts for price differences between countries so figures can be compared. "vs all employees" compares the group's median with the median for all occupations in the same country.

Career progression

1. Laboratory technician or research assistant
2. Biologist or postdoctoral researcher
3. Senior scientist
4. Principal scientist or research group leader
5. Head of research or professor

Job outlook

Biology underpins growing areas such as biotechnology, genomics, medicine, food security and conservation, so biological skills are widely needed. However, in many countries there are more biology graduates than research posts, and academic careers are very competitive. Public research depends on government funding, which can change. Biologists with strong skills in data analysis, programming, bioinformatics or laboratory automation tend to have more options, both in science and in related fields.

Questions about becoming a biologist

What jobs can you get with a biology degree?

Common jobs include laboratory technician, research scientist, ecologist, microbiologist, biotechnologist, quality control analyst and science teacher. Biology graduates also work in environmental consultancy, clinical research, science communication, patents and healthcare. Many jobs with the title biologist need further study, but a biology degree also leads to careers in business, policy and data analysis.

Do you need a PhD to be a biologist?

Not always, but it helps a lot for research. A bachelor's can lead to technician and assistant roles, and a master's opens many jobs in industry and consultancy. To lead your own research, work as a university academic or become a senior scientist in research and development, you will usually need a PhD.

Is biology a good career?

It can be satisfying if you are curious about life and enjoy careful practical work. Biology skills are used in health, food, farming and the environment. However, competition for graduate jobs is strong, starting pay in research and conservation can be modest, and research jobs are often on short contracts. Adding skills in statistics, programming or a specialist technique makes you more employable.

What is the difference between a biologist and a biomedical scientist?

Biologists study all living things, including plants, animals, microorganisms and ecosystems, in many different settings. Biomedical scientists focus on human health and disease, and in many countries they work in hospital laboratories testing patient samples. Biomedical scientists in hospitals are often regulated, while biology as a whole usually is not.

Related careers

• Biomedical scientist

  Biomedical scientists test samples of blood, tissue and body fluids in laboratories to help doctors diagnose and monitor disease, and they check that blood for transfusion is safe.

  Degree usually needed

• Environmental scientist

  Environmental scientists study the natural world and how human activity affects it.

  Degree required

• Epidemiologist

  Epidemiologists study how diseases and other health problems spread, who they affect and why, and use this evidence to prevent and control them.

  Degree required

• Agronomist

  Agronomists are scientists who help farmers grow crops more productively and sustainably.

  Degree required

• University lecturer

  University lecturers teach students in higher education, carry out research in their subject and publish their findings.

  Degree required

Sources

1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — SOC 19-1029, national estimates, May 2025
2. ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — ISCO-08 major groups, latest year per country
3. European Commission — ESCO occupation profile — ESCO code 2131.4

How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). How to become a biologist: degrees, skills and salary. https://coursetojob.com/careers/biologist/ (accessed September 26, 2026)

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