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

[Anonymous]

The reality is that there are not a lot of biology jobs and lots of bio majors and lots of bio graduate students. So there is a downward push in which PhDs are hired instead of BA/BS's for even relatively simple bio jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

With a biology degree, you can easily go into the Cybersecurity field. Just spend a few months learning about cybersecurity, get some certifications and you can easily make > 100K salary. I graduated with a biology major, decided not to attend medical school, learned about IT, got my first IT job in 2005 at 80K/year. I am now making 350K/year as a security architect consultant.

[Anonymous]

If your kid likes biology generally, consider looking into schools with Forensic Science programs. Kind of a combination of biology, chemistry, crime scene investigation, law/testimony, etc. Best for squeaky clean kids.

[Anonymous]

OP, what does your kid want to do with the Biology degree?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your kid likes biology generally, consider looking into schools with Forensic Science programs. Kind of a combination of biology, chemistry, crime scene investigation, law/testimony, etc. Best for squeaky clean kids.

I think that's fiction. Or at least there's zero need in the field after decades of scripted dramas making this out to be glamourous.

[Anonymous]

Supply and demand is always the answer. Tons of bio majors graduate every year having decided they don't want to go to med school after all = supply glut. And there are not a ton of industries in need of bio majors = weak demand. So, low salaries. It's not rocket science (which pays much better).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid likes biology generally, consider looking into schools with Forensic Science programs. Kind of a combination of biology, chemistry, crime scene investigation, law/testimony, etc. Best for squeaky clean kids.

I think that's fiction. Or at least there's zero need in the field after decades of scripted dramas making this out to be glamourous.

What part is fiction? But I do think you are half right. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of forensics jobs will grow substantially more than average, yet competition for jobs will also be higher than average for the reason you cite. I have reviewed the plans of study at schools such as VCU, GMU, and West Virginia University. To me, it is like getting 4 or 5 minors. Forensic Science has similar benefits to nursing and teaching: there a jobs located literally everywhere. I also wonder if a person with a FS degree could teach at least basic Biology and Chemistry in schools (another benefit if so).

[Anonymous]

Forensics usually requires a lot of coursework in chemistry or biochemistry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Forensics usually requires a lot of coursework in chemistry or biochemistry.

It’s a lot of stuff. Throw some entomology into the stew also.

[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.

Chemistry actually is not much better, but yes there are a few more choices you could potentially work in. Most "meaningful jobs" however require a PHD. Until that point you would largely be doing grunt work in a lab.
I concur, if you only want a BS and don't want Med/Vet/PA/Dental/PT school then you are better choosing an engineering major/data analytics than a straight BS in Chem or Biology.

My own kid loves chemistry, has no desire to do lab work, so planning on Chem Eng major to use the love of chemistry and not need a PHD

[Anonymous]

Please give your kids guidance and help them choose a major that will net them the kind of job they want to have after college.

Majoring in Biology is a bad move, in most cases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your kid likes biology generally, consider looking into schools with Forensic Science programs. Kind of a combination of biology, chemistry, crime scene investigation, law/testimony, etc. Best for squeaky clean kids.

Working in this field requires a graduate degree and it’s very competitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid likes biology generally, consider looking into schools with Forensic Science programs. Kind of a combination of biology, chemistry, crime scene investigation, law/testimony, etc. Best for squeaky clean kids.

I think that's fiction. Or at least there's zero need in the field after decades of scripted dramas making this out to be glamourous.

+1 it’s extremely competitive and there are not that many jobs in this field actually because of budget constraints. Workloads are very high too bc of this. The good jobs at fbi etc have thousands of applicants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid likes biology generally, consider looking into schools with Forensic Science programs. Kind of a combination of biology, chemistry, crime scene investigation, law/testimony, etc. Best for squeaky clean kids.

I think that's fiction. Or at least there's zero need in the field after decades of scripted dramas making this out to be glamourous.

What part is fiction? But I do think you are half right. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of forensics jobs will grow substantially more than average, yet competition for jobs will also be higher than average for the reason you cite. I have reviewed the plans of study at schools such as VCU, GMU, and West Virginia University. To me, it is like getting 4 or 5 minors. Forensic Science has similar benefits to nursing and teaching: there a jobs located literally everywhere. I also wonder if a person with a FS degree could teach at least basic Biology and Chemistry in schools (another benefit if so).

Funding to investigate crimes is often low so even if there is demand there may not be well paying jobs created and/or workloads are very high.

[Anonymous]

I majored in biology and now work as a technician in a government lab making $90k. I did a part-time masters degree in biotechnology which was mostly paid by my employer at the time.
Some of my peers have gone into project management or regulatory affairs/quality control documentation.