20 most popular jobs upon graduation for students majoring in biology

Here’s a straightforward guide to the 20 most popular jobs for graduates with biology or biomedical sciences degrees. A biology degree gives you a strong foundation in science, critical thinking, and lab skills. Some graduates go on to advanced study, but many launch right into the workforce. Employers value biology grads because you can handle data, understand systems, and apply scientific methods to solve real problems.

• Lab Technician
  Running experiments, preparing samples, and maintaining equipment in research labs, hospitals, or industry.
• Clinical Research Coordinator
  Supporting clinical trials by collecting data, managing patients, and ensuring compliance with protocols.
• Quality Control Analyst
  Testing products, materials, or pharmaceuticals to ensure safety and standards are met.
• Biotech Manufacturing Associate
  Working in pharmaceutical or biotech plants to produce vaccines, biologics, and medical products.
• Environmental Scientist / Technician
  Collecting field samples, monitoring air and water quality, and supporting conservation projects.
• Biomedical Sales Representative
  Selling lab equipment, medical devices, or pharmaceuticals to hospitals, labs, and clinics.
• Research Assistant (Academic or Corporate)
  Supporting senior researchers with experiments, literature reviews, and data analysis.
• Forensic Science Technician
  Analyzing biological evidence for law enforcement and criminal investigations.
• Microbiologist (entry-level)
  Studying bacteria, viruses, and fungi; common in food safety, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals.
• Wildlife Biologist (junior)
  Supporting conservation studies, habitat monitoring, and ecological assessments.
• Genetics Technician
  Assisting genetic testing labs with DNA analysis, sequencing, or patient testing.
• Public Health Analyst (biology focus)
  Working with health departments on disease prevention, epidemiology, and community health programs.
• Veterinary Technician (with extra certification)
  Supporting veterinarians with animal care, lab tests, and surgeries.
• Food Safety Specialist
  Testing food products for contamination, supporting compliance, and monitoring supply chains.
• Science Educator (secondary or outreach)
  Teaching biology at the high school level or developing education programs for museums or nonprofits.
• Pharmaceutical Technician
  Assisting in the development, testing, and production of new drugs.
• Ecologist (assistant roles)
  Studying ecosystems, biodiversity, and sustainability projects; often fieldwork-heavy.
• Medical Laboratory Scientist (with certification)
  Running diagnostic tests in hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic labs.
• Regulatory Affairs Assistant
  Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations for pharmaceuticals and biotech firms.
• Biostatistics Assistant
  Supporting data analysis for healthcare, biotech, or research organizations.

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How to Use This List

A biology degree doesn’t lock you into a lab coat forever. You can move into healthcare, biotech, conservation, education, sales, or policy depending on your interests. The best way to stand out is to show hands-on experience—lab projects, internships, research, or even volunteer fieldwork. Employers want to see that you can apply your biology knowledge to real-world outcomes, whether that’s keeping food safe, supporting clinical trials, or analyzing ecosystems.