What are the highest paying biology jobs?

If you are interested in the life sciences field, many biology professions offer high salaries. You could find a career working as a scientist, researcher, sales representative, or doctor in all kinds of specialties. 

Read on to learn more about some of the most profitable biology professions.

In this post we are going to answer the question ‘’What are the highest paying biology jobs?’’ We present you the best biology jobs, their salaries and we will tell you a little about the activities that are carried out.

What are the highest paying biology jobs?

There are a number of biology jobs that offer lucrative salaries, yet many available positions require particular levels of education. 

An undergraduate degree can prepare you for a career in science and medicine sales, while an advanced degree can allow you to pursue independent scientific research or become a physician.

The work of biologist can be oriented towards different work activities as a health professional, environment, research and development, the pharmaceutical and agri-food industry or commerce and marketing, among others.

So, let´s start!

1. Biological Technician

Medical laboratory assistant technicians provide assistance and support to scientists in medical laboratories. Their duties include making chemical solutions, labeling samples, cleaning and sterilizing material, and using computers to record and study the results of experiments.

Medical laboratory assistant technicians support the work of biomedical by helping them analyze medical samples, such as blood and tissue. This helps doctors diagnose the disease and decide on treatment.

They perform tasks such as:

• Make chemical solutions.
• Classify blood and tissue samples.
• Dispose of chemical and biological waste carefully.
• Label tubes and bottles.
• Take charge of material stocks and order more if necessary.
• Clean and sterilize the material.

They also record and analyze the information resulting from experiments, often by computer.

Medical laboratory assistant technicians may specialize in one area of work. When they have gained experience, they may train and supervise other staff members, or have greater responsibility for tasks such as keeping track of stocks.

Some assistants specialize as phlebotomists. It’s about drawing blood from patients, accurately labeling it, protecting it from damage, and delivering it quickly and safely to the right laboratory.

Salary: Biological technicians received a median annual salary of $45,860 in May 2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports.

2. Biochemist

In the fast-growing fields of biotechnology and biomedical science, biochemists play a central role. Having studied biology equips them with the expertise and experience of laboratory and experimental study to plan and conduct experiments to create new drugs.

Biochemistry involves the study of the basic processes of life, for example, the way DNA is transferred between cells and how it can be manipulated to solve problems. Biochemists work with all kinds of organisms, from microorganisms to plants and animals.

Biochemical techniques are very important to almost all areas of biological research, so biochemists are involved in all areas of modern biology.

Salary: Biochemists made a median salary of $94,490 in May 2019, calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The top 10% won $182,870 or more, and $50,620 or less was earned by the bottom 10%. Between 2019 and 2029, the BLS estimated that jobs in this sector will rise by 4 percent, almost as fast as the global average.

 

3.  Genetic Counselor

Information on inherited genetic diseases is increasing thanks to the increasing knowledge of genetics. For this reason, the figure of a genetic counselor is necessary to advise doctors specialized in oncology or rare or orphan diseases, and other specialties, on the latest updates in molecular genetics and expression of diseases.

The knowledge of the possible genetic cause of a disease is of great importance in developing new therapies, in choosing a treatment and in family planning, to help parents in the decision to have children.

The genetic counselor is in charge of advising doctors on aspects related to genetic diseases. You can work in a hospital or in a technical office (as specialized consultancy) advising different doctors.

Salary: Genetic counselors received an average annual income of $81,880 in May 2019, reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The top 10% received $114,750 or more, and $61,310 or less was earned by the bottom 10%.

4. Health Communications Specialist

The art and technique of educating, influencing and inspiring people, organizations and the general public on critical health issues in Health Communications. Disease prevention, health promotion, health policy, funding and enhancement of the quality of life and health of the members of a society are among those issues.

Health communications professionals, often hired by hospitals or other healthcare organizations, can also manage the public relations efforts, marketing strategy, and community engagement of the organization.

This profession requires good writing and communication skills, as health communications specialists are responsible for addressing issues related to human health and illness to a broad audience.

Salary: Health relations professionals receive an average annual income of $63,335, according to PayScale. The top 10% won $80,000 or more, and $50,000 or less was earned by the bottom 10%.

5.  Health Educator

As a profession, it uses educational processes to effect change or reinforce the health practices of individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and large social systems.

Its intention is to generate awareness of health, the exploration of options for behavior and change and their consequences, and the different alternatives of courses of action that are available and acceptable to those who are affected.

The functions of a health educator have to participate in the organization and supervision of the provision of health services in the public, private and community sectors. Develop health and safety programs at work aimed at a greater margin and health coverage for workers.

Scientific subjects such as nutrition, safe sex, drug abuse, and stress reduction are published by health educators. They need good written communication skills, consequently.

Salary: Health educators obtained a median annual income of $46,910 in May 2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports. The top 10% won $68,350 or more, and $26,660 or less was earned by the bottom 10%.

6.  Pharmaceutical / Medical Product Sales Representative

Pharmaceutical sales representatives are in the business of selling drugs and medical supplies to medical professionals such as doctors and pharmacists, as well as other clients such as patient advocacy groups.

A good part of the job of a pharmaceutical sales representative is to sell doctors the benefits of the latest drugs on the market.

This requires the representative to be characterized by intelligence and the ability to fully retain and understand relevant medical knowledge, so that they can communicate the medical benefits of prescription drugs.

Salespeople with a scientific background, such as medicine or chemistry, will do much better in their jobs by being armed with this knowledge; although most representatives have at least a four-year college degree in any field.

Salary: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that an average annual salary of $81,020 was received by sales representatives of technical and scientific products in May 2019.

7. Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner

Medical Assistants are those who receive patients in hospitals, clinics and other health care centers, such as dental or medical offices. In this sense, they are also responsible for scheduling appointments and referring visitors to the appropriate care area according to their requirement.

The function carried out by Medical Assistants is very different from that carried out by Nurses, who provide direct assistance to health professionals in the treatment of illnesses and injuries.

Salary: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in May 2019, physician assistants received an average median salary of $112,200. The highest 10% won $157,120 or more, and $72,720 or less was earned by the bottom 10%.

In May 2019, on the other hand, nurse practitioners received a median annual income of $115,800. The top 10% won $184,180 or more, and $82,460 or less was earned by the bottom 10%.

 

8.  Medical and Health Services Manager

Apart from the doctors, nurses and managers of different areas of a hospital, there is also a health professional who is in charge of captaining all this team and making the health care center of high quality. These professionals are health managers.

Health services managers are responsible for the efficient and effective delivery of health services to the population. This may involve managing the operation of hospitals, clinics, and general health services. They are likely to take care of project and resource management, including personnel, funding, equipment, and buildings.

Managers work closely with different health professionals (eg doctors, nurses, therapists, health scientists), local authorities, volunteer groups, and the media. Their work is highly variable, depending on the part of the Social Security that they work for.

Salary: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in May 2019, managers of medical and health services received a median annual salary of $100,980. The top 10% won $189,000 or more, while $58,820 or less was earned by the bottom 10%.

9. Attorney

In order to process patent claims and protect clients against infringement, patent and intellectual property attorneys need to explain the physics behind biotechnology devices, medicines, and medical equipment.

Environmental lawyers advocate and oppose environmental programs and policies based on an awareness of how the ecosystem will be impacted by them.

In order to evaluate medical procedures and determine whether health practitioners have behaved ethically and appropriately, medical malpractice lawyers should have the scientific expertise needed.

Salary: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in May 2019, lawyers earned an annual median income of $122,960. The highest paid 10% gained more than $208,000, while $59,670 or less was earned by the lowest paid 10%.

10. Financial Analyst

An analyst of this type is in charge of examining financial data with professional judgment and using the information and the conclusions reached to contribute to the good decision-making of companies, especially in the investment sector.

A financial analyst makes predictions about various types of sectors, businesses, and industries based on current microeconomic and macroeconomic conditions.

Establishing financial models that predict future economic conditions taking into account a large number of variables is one of your priorities, so that you can recommend specific actions, such as buying or selling shares in a company considering its growth prospects or performance.

There are numerous master’s degrees that focus on specific aspects of financial analysis, but that in any case include a high degree of training in accounting and mathematics, and even biology and engineering.

Salary: In May 2019, financial analysts received a median annual salary of $81,590, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports. The top 10% won $156,150 or more, while $47,230 or less was earned by the bottom 10 percent.

FAQS:  What are the highest paying biology jobs?

What are the best paying science jobs?

Top 3 highest paying biology jobs.

Biotechnology – $140,091

Clinical Research – $139,434

Genomics- $119,994

Do biologists make good money?

It depends on the area where they work, but it’s not really a large amount, they earn on average $ 69,000

What is the job that gets paid the most?

Here are the top 25 best-paying jobs of 2020, according to U.S. News & World Report.

1. Lawyer.
2. Sales manager.
3. Business operations manager. 
4. Pharmacist. 
5. Financial advisor.

What degree pays the most?

Petroleum engineering. Median salary for alumni with less than 5 years of experience: $94,500.

What is the best science degree to get?

1. Petroleum Engineering.

References

Biological Scientists, All Other. (2008, September 9). Retrieved November 15, 2020, from Bls.gov website: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes191029.htm

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