Biologist
Biologists study living things, from molecules and cells to plants, animals and whole ecosystems, and apply what they learn in health, farming, conservation and industry.
What can you do with a biology degree?
Also called: Biological sciences · Life sciences · Biosciences
Updated How we use data
Quick answer
A biology degree teaches how living things work, from molecules and cells to whole organisms and ecosystems. Graduates become biologists, laboratory scientists, environmental scientists and teachers, and many use the degree as a step towards medicine, research or other health careers. The analytical and data skills it builds are also valued in business, government and science communication.
Careers with a biology degree
Biology graduates work in research, health, the environment and education. Many start as laboratory or research assistants and later become biologists, biomedical scientists or environmental scientists. Others teach biology in secondary schools after teacher training. With a master's degree or further professional training, graduates can become epidemiologists or dietitians. Less obvious options include science writing, patent work, clinical trials, pharmaceutical sales, conservation and data analysis. Many research jobs need a postgraduate degree, so plan for further study if you want to lead research.
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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.
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Environmental scientist
Environmental scientists study the natural world and how human activity affects it.
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Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists study how diseases and other health problems spread, who they affect and why, and use this evidence to prevent and control them.
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Secondary school teacher
Secondary school teachers teach one or two subjects to students aged about eleven or twelve to eighteen and prepare them for national exams.
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Dietitian
Dietitians use the science of nutrition to assess and treat diet-related health problems and help people eat well.
Other roles graduates go into: Laboratory technician · Clinical research associate · Ecologist · Conservation officer · Science writer · Patent examiner
What you study and the skills you gain
Typical topics
- Cell and molecular biology
- Genetics and evolution
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology and immunology
- Ecology and conservation
- Plant and animal physiology
- Laboratory and fieldwork methods
- Statistics and data analysis for biologists
Skills you gain
- Planning experiments and recording results accurately
- Using laboratory equipment and following safety procedures
- Analysing data with statistics and software
- Reading and evaluating scientific research
- Writing reports and presenting findings
- Working carefully in teams in the laboratory and the field
How the degree differs around the world
In the UK and much of Europe, a bachelor's degree usually takes three years, and many students add a master's, which is often expected for scientist roles. In the United States, Canada and many Asian countries it is typically a four-year programme with broad general education. Because medicine is a graduate-entry degree in the United States and Canada, many biology students there plan to apply to medical school. Entry usually requires biology and chemistry. Some programmes are accredited by professional biology societies, which can help but is rarely required.
How do biology graduates do?
Earnings and employment by country
The OECD compares graduates by field of study. This subject falls under “Natural sciences, mathematics and statistics”. The first column compares the median earnings of tertiary-educated adults in this field with all tertiary-educated adults (100 = average).
| Country | Earnings index (all graduates = 100) | Employment rate, this field | Employment rate, all graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica | 138 (2023) | 77.1% (2024) | 79.2% |
| Chile | 125 (2023) | 84.3% (2022) | 85.7% |
| United States | 117 (2023) | 84.8% (2017) | 84.3% |
| Norway | 111 (2023) | 86.5% (2024) | 89.3% |
| Denmark | 111 (2023) | 82.4% (2021) | 87.8% |
| Mexico | 109 (2023) | 78.3% (2024) | 81.5% |
| Slovenia | 108 (2020) | 93.2% (2024) | 90.8% |
| South Korea | 106 (2023) | — | — |
| Estonia | 105 (2023) | 89.2% (2024) | 89.2% |
| Canada | 105 (2020) | 80.1% (2021) | 80.4% |
| Switzerland | 104 (2023) | 87.7% (2024) | 89.5% |
| Finland | 103 (2022) | 88.4% (2024) | 88.8% |
| Australia | 103 (2020) | 86.2% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Austria | 102 (2023) | 82.6% (2024) | 86.4% |
| Portugal | 101 (2020) | 86.1% (2024) | 90.7% |
| Sweden | 100 (2023) | 85.3% (2024) | 89.6% |
| Germany | 97 (2020) | 86.1% (2024) | 88.7% |
| Romania | 96 (2023) | 92.4% (2024) | 91.5% |
| Luxembourg | 94 (2023) | 79.5% (2024) | 85.7% |
| Latvia | 93 (2023) | 89.3% (2024) | 87.7% |
| United Kingdom | 92 (2020) | 83.2% (2021) | 84.6% |
| Iceland | — | 92.0% (2016) | 93.6% |
| Poland | — | 91.5% (2024) | 91.6% |
| France | — | 91.1% (2024) | 87.3% |
| Lithuania | — | 90.6% (2024) | 90.4% |
| Czechia | — | 90.0% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Netherlands | — | 89.0% (2024) | 90.6% |
| Ireland | — | 87.2% (2021) | 86.9% |
| Slovakia | — | 86.7% (2024) | 90.5% |
| Croatia | — | 86.1% (2024) | 89.7% |
| Spain | — | 84.5% (2024) | 83.9% |
| Belgium | — | 83.9% (2024) | 88.5% |
| Greece | — | 82.9% (2024) | 82.3% |
| Italy | — | 82.9% (2024) | 84.7% |
| Peru | — | 80.5% (2024) | 81.7% |
| Türkiye | — | 72.6% (2016) | 72.9% |
Source: OECD, Education at a Glance. Adults aged 25–64 with tertiary education; latest year available, full-time earners where published. Values are for the whole field of study, not this subject alone.
Graduate earnings in the UK
The UK government links tax records to university records to measure what graduates earn. These figures are for “Biology (non-specific)” first-degree graduates who were employed in the 2023–24 tax year.
| Time since graduating | Median | Lower quartile | Upper quartile | In work or study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| After 1 year | £23,800 | £19,000 | £27,800 | 89.1% |
| After 3 years | £29,600 | £24,500 | £35,900 | 90.5% |
| After 5 years | £34,000 | £27,400 | £42,500 | 89.3% |
| After 10 years | £40,300 | £29,300 | £54,500 | 87.0% |
Source: UK Department for Education, Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO), tax year 2023–24. Earnings are annual and include only graduates in sustained employment. More UK detail on CourseToJob.co.uk
Is a biology degree right for you?
It may suit you if
- You are curious about how living things work, from cells to ecosystems.
- You enjoy practical work in the laboratory or outdoors.
- You are happy to use chemistry, statistics and data as tools.
Think twice if
- You expect the degree alone to lead straight to a research career, which usually needs further study.
- You dislike laboratory work, precise methods and writing up results.
- You want to avoid chemistry and statistics, which are part of most programmes.
Further study
Further study is common in biology. A master's degree helps for specialist roles in areas such as conservation, genetics, biotechnology or public health, and a PhD is usually needed to lead research. Many graduates take teacher training or a conversion course in fields such as dietetics or data science. In some countries, biology is a common first step before graduate-entry medicine, dentistry or veterinary science.
Questions about studying biology
What jobs can you get with a biology degree?
Common jobs include biologist, laboratory technician, biomedical scientist, environmental scientist, ecologist and biology teacher. With further study, graduates become epidemiologists, dietitians, research scientists or doctors. Others work in clinical trials, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, conservation, science writing, patent work and data analysis. The research and data skills from the degree are also useful in business and government.
Is a biology degree useful if I want to study medicine?
It can be. In the United States and Canada, medicine is studied after a bachelor's degree, and biology is a popular choice. In many other countries, medicine is a first degree, so you apply straight from school, although some offer graduate-entry routes with limited places. Check the entry rules of the medical schools where you plan to apply.
Is biology a hard degree?
Biology is demanding because there is a lot of content to learn, and it uses chemistry, statistics and laboratory skills. It usually involves less advanced mathematics than physics or engineering. Students who like detail, stay organised and practise data analysis regularly usually do well, and fieldwork and practical classes help make the theory easier to remember.
Is a biology degree worth it?
It depends on your plans. Biology gives you a broad science education and many options, but the most competitive research and health careers usually need further study or training. The official data on this page shows how biology graduates do in the UK. Getting laboratory, fieldwork or research experience during your degree makes a big difference.
Related subjects
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Biomedical science
A biomedical science degree teaches the biology of human health and disease, and how laboratory tests help doctors diagnose and treat patients.
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Chemistry
A chemistry degree teaches how substances are built, how they react and how to make and analyse new materials, through theory and a lot of laboratory work.
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Environmental science
An environmental science degree studies how the natural world works and how human activity affects air, water, soil, wildlife and climate.
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Medicine
A medicine degree trains you to diagnose, treat and prevent illness, combining medical science with supervised clinical work in hospitals and communities.
Sources
- OECD — Education at a Glance, labour-market outcomes — Earnings and employment by field of study, adults 25–64
- UK Department for Education — Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO) — CAH CAH03-01-02 — Biology (non-specific)
- UNESCO — ISCED-F 2013 — ISCED-F 0511
How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). What can you do with a biology degree? Jobs and salaries. https://coursetojob.com/subjects/biology/ (accessed September 26, 2026)