Why do biology degrees have such low earnings at the 3 yr post-grad mark?

[Anonymous]

I know there are some who are probably in med school -- but it seems every chart I've seen showing the earnings has them at about $34K three years after graduating with a bachelors degree. That is just so painfully low! Yes, I have a kid pursuing a biology degree.

What's the career outlook for someone who isn't pursuing med school? What are all these low-paying jobs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know there are some who are probably in med school -- but it seems every chart I've seen showing the earnings has them at about $34K three years after graduating with a bachelors degree. That is just so painfully low! Yes, I have a kid pursuing a biology degree.

What's the career outlook for someone who isn't pursuing med school? What are all these low-paying jobs?

some lab works I think.

You won't get much with BS Biology.
You would need PhD

Go with some kind of engineering if no plan for Med or PhD

[Anonymous]

Most jobs in biology require additional years of school.

[Anonymous]

Because they either become techs or do phds which are not well paid during school. And then they have to do a post doc which is also badly paid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because they either become techs or do phds which are not well paid during school. And then they have to do a post doc which is also badly paid.

Also, some get a masters degree full-time or med school.

[Anonymous]

As a Bio major, if you're not going to med or vet school, you basically have to get a MS degree, and then probably be a science teacher. Unless you want to do lab work.

[Anonymous]

My undergrad degree is in Biology. Just not a lot of jobs out there for that degree. You end up as a lab tech, getting paid every little.

Chemistry is probably a little more lucrative and you might find more options - go into food science or cosmetics.

I ended up going to grad school and am super happy with my job now! But and undergrad Bio degree doesn’t do much for you.

And like you said, lots of Bio majors go on to Med school or Dental school or maybe Vet school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My undergrad degree is in Biology. Just not a lot of jobs out there for that degree. You end up as a lab tech, getting paid every little.

Chemistry is probably a little more lucrative and you might find more options - go into food science or cosmetics.

I ended up going to grad school and am super happy with my job now! But and undergrad Bio degree doesn’t do much for you.

And like you said, lots of Bio majors go on to Med school or Dental school or maybe Vet school.

NP. What did you go to grad school for?

I also have a kid that would like to be a biology major so I'm glad you asked this OP. My kid would like to do animal biology/genetics for various species. Looks like they are going to be headed to a very low salary.

[Anonymous]

Biology can also mean natural resources, like park rangers or outdoor guides or nature centers. Or field work for some population biology study or bird count or something. Also low paying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My undergrad degree is in Biology. Just not a lot of jobs out there for that degree. You end up as a lab tech, getting paid every little.

Chemistry is probably a little more lucrative and you might find more options - go into food science or cosmetics.

I ended up going to grad school and am super happy with my job now! But and undergrad Bio degree doesn’t do much for you.

And like you said, lots of Bio majors go on to Med school or Dental school or maybe Vet school.

NP. What did you go to grad school for?

I also have a kid that would like to be a biology major so I'm glad you asked this OP. My kid would like to do animal biology/genetics for various species. Looks like they are going to be headed to a very low salary.

To do anything useful in animal biology/genetics they'll need an advanced degree. Just getting a BS isn't useful.

[Anonymous]

PhD + Post Doc

[Anonymous]

I used my biology degree to get into biomedical sales. The money was much better there than in a lab. If I could do it over again, I would not have study biology.

[Anonymous]

*Studied

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used my biology degree to get into biomedical sales. The money was much better there than in a lab. If I could do it over again, I would not have study biology.

Just curious. What field of study would you have chosen instead?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know there are some who are probably in med school -- but it seems every chart I've seen showing the earnings has them at about $34K three years after graduating with a bachelors degree. That is just so painfully low! Yes, I have a kid pursuing a biology degree.

What's the career outlook for someone who isn't pursuing med school? What are all these low-paying jobs?

Hi, my DD finished her undergraduate biology degree this past Spring.

She had considered medical school but decided against the additional schooling.

Same for going into the pure science end of it as that requires a PhD and she just didn’t see that in her future.

She went to our state flagship.

She just started at a HR consulting firm for approx. $70k - which is exactly double what her brother, an English major, started at last year.

I am trying to take the approach to let my children choose their own paths while providing guidance and when asked advice.

It is not always easy.

I post this in the spirit of support for you and your DD/DS.