Biologists
Overview
Introduction
Biologists, also known as life scientists and biological scientists, study the origin, development, anatomy, function, distribution, and other basic principles of living organisms. They are concerned with the nature of life itself in humans, microorganisms, plants, and animals, and with the relationship of each organism to its environment. Biologists perform research in many specialties that advance the fields of medicine, agriculture, and industry. Approximately 42,640 biological scientists (all other not specifie...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Earnings for biological scientists vary extensively based on the type and size of their employer, the individual's level of education and experience, and the area of biology in which the scientist specializes. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) reports that biologists earned the following median annual salaries in May 2018 by specialty: biochemistry and biophysics, $105,940; microbiology, $81,1...
Work Environment
The biologist's work environment varies greatly depending upon the position and type of employer. One biologist may work outdoors or travel much of the time. Another wears a white smock and spends years working in a laboratory. Some work with toxic substances and disease cultures; strict safety measures must be observed.
Biologists frequently work under pressure. For example, those emplo...
Outlook
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) predicts that occupations in the broader life, physical, and social science category (including biologists) will grow 7 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations. However, zoologists, wildlife biologists, and microbiologists are all expected to achieve average (5%) growth during the same timeframe.
Companies developing new d...
