Do you love biology and want a high paying career related to biology? If YES, here are 50 best career ideas that involves biology and pays well. Biology is one of the most crucial fields in human existence. Without biology, it will be impossible to understand how plants, animals, humans, and microbes interact with one another, and how to preserve and protect each class of living things.
It is because of biology that many of us can live in good health today. This article will help you understand the various careers available under biology, and how to pursue a biology-related career. There are many different areas of specialty within biology because of the vast number of living things on the planet.
Some areas of specialty within the biology field include biochemistry, physiology, nutrition and food science, biophysics, neuroscience, biostatistics, bioinformatics, entomology, ecology, microbiology and entomology to mention few. Some career ideas that you can choose within the biology field include:
50 Best Career ideas That Involve Biology and Pay Well
1. Biostatistician
Biostatisticians work hand in hand with biological scientists to collect and summarize the results of biological experiments using applied mathematics and statistics. Bio-statisticians earn an average of $72,000 annually.
2. Forensic Scientist
When a crime is committed, it is the job of a forensic scientist to analyze the crime scene, and obtain relevant physical and biological evidence that can be used to analyze and investigate the crime. Forensic scientists are also sometimes required to offer professional statements in court during prosecution. This is a very interesting career that can earn you around $94,800 annually.
3. Nutritionist
Another career that you can explore with your background in biology is to become a nutritionist. Nutritionists help to plan and organize meals and eating plans in order to combat various diseases and illnesses, and help people maintain perfect health.
4. Biotechnologist
You can also consider working as a biotechnologist. Your job will revolve around helping food and beverage companies, pharmaceutical companies or companies in the agricultural and medical industry to identify ways to improve the chemical, physical, and genetic attributes of their products.
5. Registered Nurse
With a degree in biology, you can take an accelerated BSN program which would qualify you to work and earn as a registered nurse.
6. Forestry Technician/Forester
Another good career idea is to work as a forestry technician. Forestry technicians help to preserve wildlife and other natural resources in woodlands, parks, and other outdoor areas. You can also consider becoming a forester, whose job is to assist a forest technician in caring for, and managing wildlife resources.
7. Mammalogist
Mammalogists are also called Zoologist. With your background in biology, you will understand how to study the history, evolution, behavior and taxonomy of the mammal population, and how they react with their environment. You can work in zoos, wildlife parks, aquariums, and other wildlife centers.
8. Biological Scientists
Biological scientists perform research related tasks. They help to study all living organisms including plants, animals and microbes especially how they impact or contribute to the ecosystem. As a biological scientist you can work with the government, research institutions, industrial laboratories, and universities.
9. Teaching
Another career idea is to become a college or university professor who teaches biology, or work in a high school where you can teach the students biology.
10. Mycologist
You can work with food and beverage companies or pharmaceutical companies as a mycologist. Mycologists study the biochemical properties of food and medicines, and help to take measures to prevent fungi poisoning and infections in those products.
11. Botanic Field Technician
You can also consider working as a botanical field technician who assists botanists in the study of the growth and development of plants and their pollinators. Botanic Field technicians earn between $36,480 and $60,050 annually.
12. Sensory Scientist
As a sensory scientist, you can work in the Research and Development (R&D) department of food and drug manufacturing companies to design products and packaging in a way that would appeal to consumers.
13. Botanist
Botany is a major field in biology which involves exploring plans, identifying new species, evaluating their parts and uses, and working towards preservation of plant species to prevent extinction.
14. Ornithologist
Another good biology-related career to pursue is becoming an Ornithologist. Ornithologists are similar to zoologists, only that they focus on studying and caring for birds instead of animals. Ornithologists can also work in Zoos, Public parks, Aquariums, and other public places.
15. Bio-Analyst
You can also work in the medical science industry as a bio-analyst. Bio-analysts help to carry out research, and enhance human knowledge of living organisms. They also help to make predictions, and take proactive measures to prevent epidemics and disease outbreaks.
16. Physiotherapist
Another career idea is to work as a physiotherapist. You can work in hospitals, gyms, or in a private practice to assist people who may have challenges with effective usage of their limbs, joints, and other parts of their body.
17. Bio-medical Engineer
Bio-medical engineers design innovative machines for diagnosing and treating various diseases and illnesses. They also help to design artificial limbs and body parts to replace defective ones.
18. Pharmaceutical Company Sales Rep
Pharmaceutical companies always hire sales reps to help them promote and sell their products. If you are very great with sales and marketing, you can combine that with your background in biology to become a pharmaceutical sales rep.
19. Soil Scientist
Another career idea to explore in the biological industry is becoming a soil scientist. Farmers and agricultural companies rely on the help of soil scientists to improve soil fertility and enhance food production.
20. Biomedical Ethics Researcher
Biomedical ethics researchers usually work with universities and research institutions to collaborate in the research, analysis and designing of methods for resolving ethical issues in medicine and science especially with regards to issues of life and death.
21. Toxicologist
You can also consider working as a toxicologist. Toxicologists help to understand body fluids and substances present in the body of suspects or victims when a crime is committed. As a toxicologist you can work at the medical examiner/coroner’s office, or with the police department.
22. Cellular Biologist
Another career idea is to work as a cellular biologist to research and study cellular molecules, understand their functions, and how they contribute to the health and well-being of humans.
23. Wastewater treatment Expert
Another career idea to explore is working as a waste water treatment expert. Wastewater treatment experts help to remove pollutants in wastewater so that they can be recycled and used. The services of wastewater treatment experts are usually in high demand in cities with water scarcity problems.
24. Crime Lab Assistant
You can work as a crime lab assistant, helping forensic scientists, police officers and toxicologists to operate machines and analyze specimens from crime scenes during investigations.
25. Sexual Health Educator
You can work in community health centers, schools, or hospitals to educate people on safe sex practices and reproduction.
26. DNA Analyst
Paternity tests are becoming really popular these days. With your background in biology, you can work as a DNA analyst in crime labs, paternity test centers, or in medical laboratories.
27. Quality Control Specialist
Another career idea is to become a quality control specialist who tests products in manufacturing companies or pharmaceutical companies to ensure that they conform to regulated standards.
28. Ecologist
As an ecologist, you can work at zoos, aquariums, and conservation organizations to study, preserve and protect all types of living things.
29. Public Health Director
You can also consider pursuing a career to work as the public health director in your city. Public health directors help to come up with programs and methods for improving the overall health and well being of the people living in a city or local area.
30. Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists help to study and prevent disease outbreaks, and in the event that an outbreak does occur, it is the job of an epidemiologist to find out why it occurred, and provide measures for combating the outbreak.
31. Cosmetologist
With your background in biology, you can work as a cosmetologist who helps to formulate various cosmetics and beauty products.
32. Plant Geneticist
You can work as a plant geneticist too. Plant geneticists help to ensure perpetuity in the growth of important plant species.
33. Food and Drug Inspector
You can work for the government as a food and drug inspector whose job is to visit places where food and drugs are manufactured or sold, in order to ensure that they comply with the regulatory requirements.
34. Pest Control Technician
Pest control technicians are also heavily demanded. With your knowledge of living organisms, you can help people get rid of pests, unwanted animals and plants from their homes or commercial buildings.
35. Funeral Director
Funeral directors help to prepare dead people for burial or cremation. You can work with a funeral home or start your own private practice.
36. Naturalist
You can become a naturalist who studies the use of plants and herbs for medicinal purposes, and use it to treat people who may be suffering from various diseases and ailments.
37. Health Educator
You can become a health educator and work in your local community health center or in hospitals to help develop and implement strategies that would improve the health of individuals in the community. Health educators can also work in high schools, colleges, and other higher institutions.
38. Marine Biologist
As a marine biologist, you would specialize in studying marine creatures and how they interact with the ecosystem. You would also be tasked with helping to conserve endangered marine species.
39. Herpetologist
If you love to work with reptiles and amphibians such as snakes, turtles, salamanders, frogs, and iguanas, you can consider working as a herpetologist who helps to study the behavior of these animals, and care for them.
40. Medical Writer
You can use your knowledge in the field of biology to provide services as a medical writer. You can help bloggers, and manufacturing companies to write contents for their websites and blogs, or description of their products and services.
41. Industrial Hygienist
You can also consider working as an industrial hygienist. Industrial hygienists help to anticipate, evaluate and prevent stresses or illnesses that may arise from exposure of employees to workplace toxins.
42. Horticulturalist
Another career idea is to become a horticulturalist who helps to study, and promote the growth of trees and plants.
43. Pharmacologist
You can also work as a pharmacologist who helps to organize and analyze the results of clinical trials on behalf of pharmaceutical companies, or research and development companies.
44. Nanotechnology Engineer
Nanotechnologists help to test for pollutants, and create powders to enrich foods and medicines.
45. Environmental Attorney
You can excel in the legal field with your biological background by becoming an environmental attorney who helps to prosecute or defend cases of patent right or intellectual property infringement, pollution, and medical malpractice.
46. Genetic Counselor
You can work as a genetic counselor to analyze people’s DNA’s, and advise them on the genetic disorders and diseases that they may be at risk of, and the preventive measures to take in order to avoid them.
47. Physician Assistant
You don’t need to attend medical school to become a physician assistant. With a degree in biology, you can work as a physician assistant who assists patients and doctors in interpreting medications and various treatment options.
48. Health Communications Specialist
Another option is to work as a health communications specialist to educate communities about health issues, communicable diseases, health management, and healthy living.
49. Health Insurance Marketer
You can also work as a health insurance marketer. With your background in biology, you will be in a better position to educate and convince potential clients on the needs, and benefits of various health insurance products.
50. Agrochemist
Lastly, you can consider working an agrochemist. Agrochemists help to study and recommend efficient ways to convert agricultural produce into foods and beverages. They also help in environmental monitoring and remediation.