Earning a biology degree may lead you to careers in the life sciences, such as biological technician, forensic science technician or food science technician. Alternatively, you might pursue a biology degree that leads to initial teacher licensure and launch a teaching career. There are many career pathways with a biology degree, and specific options can depend on your choice of major within the biology field. 

When you study biology, you learn about living organisms and the biological processes that can affect many different living systems. Knowing about these biological systems and how they impact living organisms in the world around us can lead to a variety of great careers.

Many students who earn a biology degree go on to earn an advanced degree in a specialized field, such as medicine or pharmacology. Others may go into research or work in a classroom.

Regardless of your ambitions, earning a biology degree opens up many career pathways. Let’s take a deeper look at just a few of the options to find your own answer to the question, What can you do with a biology degree?

What can you do with a biology degree? Explore some of your options in healthcare, scientific research and education.

Students interested in healthcare may begin by studying biology as undergraduates. The curriculum can provide a strong foundation in topics such as cell biology, genetics, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology and chemistry while helping students develop scientific reasoning and laboratory skills. This background may support entry into healthcare-related careers or prepare students for graduate or professional study.¹

Clinical Laboratory and Research Roles

Graduates with a biology degree may explore careers that support patient care, medical research and healthcare operations. For example, some may work as medical and clinical laboratory technologists or technicians, analyzing patient samples and helping healthcare teams identify diseases and monitor treatment effectiveness. 

Others may choose to pursue roles as clinical research coordinators or clinical research associates, assisting with the planning and management of clinical studies that evaluate new treatments and medical technologies.

Public Health Roles

Students interested in public health may also consider careers in community health, health education or public health program support, where they help promote wellness initiatives, analyze health data or assist with community outreach efforts. These roles can contribute to improving health outcomes through education, prevention and program implementation.

Non-Direct Patient Care Roles

A biology degree may also provide opportunities to work in healthcare organizations outside of direct patient care. Graduates may pursue positions in medical laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology organizations or healthcare quality and regulatory departments, where they help support research, product development, quality assurance or compliance with healthcare standards.

If you’d rather not work directly with patients, there are many roles to consider in research institutes and laboratories.

Microbiology

Consider a career in microbiology, for example. Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, archaea, fungi and protozoa — collectively known as ‘microbes.' Microbiology includes fundamental research on the biochemistry, physiology, cell biology, ecology, evolution and clinical aspects of microorganisms, including the host response to these agents.

Microbiologists study microbes and try to understand how they interact with their environments. This knowledge gives microbiologists the ability to develop new pharmaceutical products, vaccines, medicines and compounds.

Biochemistry

Another role lies in biochemistry. Biochemists explore the chemical processes within living organisms. By using chemical knowledge and techniques, biochemists can understand and find solutions to biological problems.

Biochemistry focuses on processes happening at a molecular level. It focuses on what is happening inside cells by studying components like proteins, lipids and organelles. It also looks at how cells communicate with each other. Biochemists seek to understand how the structure of a molecule relates to its function, allowing them to predict how molecules will interact. In addition to conducting research to gain a better understanding of how life works, biochemists also study ecology, support research in health and disease and work alongside other science professionals.

Molecular Biologist

Another option to consider is molecular biology. Molecular biologists study the structures and functions of cells on a molecular level. Molecular biology involves the study of interactions between the various systems of a cell. Molecular biology overlaps with other areas of biology and chemistry, particularly genetics and biochemistry.

Molecular biologists must be experts on numerous subjects and sciences before they can effectively conduct research in their field. They conduct research of biological structures in laboratories to better understand complex molecular structures and their functions. Their findings can be applied to medicine, wildlife studies, the food industry and much more.

There are many careers in environmental science and conservation to consider. For example, a conservation biologist may research issues such as biodiversity and its loss, as well as habitat restoration strategies that may help prevent the extinction of species.

Similarly, a wildlife biologist may focus on monitoring animal populations and managing their habitats. They may also help enforce environmental policies that protect wildlife.

There are also environmental careers that intersect with corporate life. Environmental consultants, for example, conduct field surveys to assess the impact of planned corporate activities on an ecosystem. Environmental consultants may also research the applicable regulations and permitting requirements for those business activities, while advising the corporation about remaining in compliance with environmental protection laws.

Biology teachers and health educators may study biology in college. Science teachers help students learn about the concepts and principles of natural sciences. They also teach the scientific method so students can discover information and conduct their own research.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), all registered nurses (RNs) need to earn a nursing credential that leads to licensure as an RN. Biology degrees do not fit this requirement.^{(See disclaimer 2)} However, it’s not uncommon for nurses to come to the field later in life after having gained work experience in a different field.

Career changers who first earned a biology degree may decide to enroll in an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program that leads to licensure as an RN. In this case, a biology degree can provide a solid foundation for pursuing nursing education as well as many of the necessary pre-requisite courses.

Many professionals who studied biology, other life sciences and pursued advanced degrees can earn competitive salaries. According to the BLS, physicians and surgeons made a median annual salary of $239,200 as of May 2024.^{(See disclaimer 3)} Physical therapists made a median annual salary of $101,020 as of May 2024.^{(See disclaimer 4)} Pharmacists, meanwhile, made a median annual salary of $137,480 as of May 2024.^{(See disclaimer 5)}

Many of the highest paying jobs related to biology require additional education, training and licensure beyond a baccalaureate program. However, a bachelor’s degree in biology may provide a starting point for fulfilling those career requirements.

Every biology-related career will have its own education requirements, and some may also require licensure or certification. For example, pharmacists may start as biology majors as undergraduates, but they must go on to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. They must also complete field experience hours as an intern and obtain licensure, which may involve passing multiple exams.^{(See disclaimer 6 )}

If you’re interested in pursuing a career related to biology, it’s a good idea to research the career requirements before getting started. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook offers career information, including requirements, for numerous biology-related professions.

The skills needed for biology-related careers can vary considerably, as there are many possible pathways in the life sciences. In general, however, biology programs may teach the following skills:^{(See disclaimer 7)}

• Attention to detail
• Effective communication
• Astute observation
• Analytical reasoning and problem-solving
• Proficiency with laboratory equipment and procedures

When exploring careers with a biology degree, you might consider the projected job growth rate. This will vary depending on the specific job. Reviewing employment outlook data can also help you decide whether a biology degree is worth pursuing based on your career goals and interests. 

Some job growth rates estimated by the BLS include:

• Physical therapist: 11%, 29,300 new jobs^{(See disclaimer 8)}
• Pharmacist: 5%, 15,400 new jobs^{(See disclaimer 9)}
• Medical scientist: 9%, 14,300 new jobs^{(See disclaimer 10)}

These projected job growth rates are applicable to the period from 2024 to 2034.

These roles represent just a small number of the career paths you may pursue with a foundation of competencies in biology. At Grand Canyon University, you can earn your biology degree and specialize in fields like pre-medicine, pre-pharmacy and secondary education. Join us for one of these biology degree programs and get started in making a difference in the STEM fields.