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Biology Majors’ Salary Over the Career
This figure shows median earnings by age for those who majored in Biology but have a bachelor’s degree only: “This Major (BA only)”, and those who majored in Biology but obtained a masters degree or higher: “This Major (Grad Degree)”. For reference, “All Majors (BA only)” contains the median income for all college graduates who have a bachelor’s degree only, and “All Majors (Grad Degree)” contains the median income for all college graduates who have a Master’s degree or higher.
This table highlights key outcomes for Biology majors, compared to averages for all college graduates.
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Top 10 Early-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Biology majors aged 25-35 who have a BA only (no graduate degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Biology majors aged 25-35 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Registered Nurses | 69,100 |
| 5 | Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | 55,000 |
| 4 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 73,700 |
| 4 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 2 | Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioner Support Technicians | 35,700 |
| 2 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 56,600 |
| 2 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 47,700 |
| 2 | Biological Scientists | 57,600 |
| 2 | Medical Assistants and Other Healthcare Support Occupations, nec | 30,600 |
| 2 | Physical Scientists, nec | 61,100 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Biology majors aged 45-55 who have a BA only (no graduate degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Biology majors aged 45-55 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 6 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 122,000 |
| 4 | Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | 78,500 |
| 4 | Registered Nurses | 81,800 |
| 3 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 53,200 |
| 3 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 90,300 |
| 2 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing | 151,000 |
| 2 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 37,200 |
| 2 | Secondary School Teachers | 62,400 |
| 2 | Biological Scientists | 85,700 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Master’s Degree or higher)
These are the top occupations for Biology majors aged 45-55 who have completed graduate work (Masters, PhD, Professional Degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Biology majors aged 45-55 with graduate degrees who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Physicians and Surgeons | 339,000 |
| 6 | Postsecondary Teachers | 102,000 |
| 6 | Dentists | 221,000 |
| 4 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 148,000 |
| 3 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 3 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 78,800 |
| 3 | Secondary School Teachers | 86,600 |
| 2 | Physical Scientists, nec | 124,000 |
| 2 | Medical Scientists, and Life Scientists, All Other | 133,000 |
| 2 | Veterinarians | 122,000 |
Top 10 Early-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Biology majors aged 25-35 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Biology majors aged 25-35 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Hospitals | 73,700 |
| 7 | Colleges and universities | 57,600 |
| 7 | Health services, n.e.c. | 72,400 |
| 5 | Elementary and secondary schools | 56,700 |
| 5 | Offices and clinics of physicians | 115,000 |
| 5 | Research, development, and testing services | 67,900 |
| 3 | Offices and clinics of dentists | 132,000 |
| 3 | Drugs | 80,400 |
| 2 | Veterinary services | 73,500 |
| 2 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Biology majors aged 45-55 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Biology majors aged 45-55 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Hospitals | 156,000 |
| 10 | Offices and clinics of physicians | 305,000 |
| 8 | Colleges and universities | 96,000 |
| 7 | Elementary and secondary schools | 74,200 |
| 6 | Health services, n.e.c. | 122,000 |
| 5 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 4 | Offices and clinics of dentists | 214,000 |
| 4 | Research, development, and testing services | 134,000 |
| 3 | Drugs | 164,000 |
| 2 | Management and public relations services | 116,000 |
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