Entry Level Salary
$35,397
Median Salary
$104,125
Unemployment Rate
2.5%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
19.1%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $4,165,000
Entry (Early)
$35,397
Median (Prime)
$104,125
High (Prime)
$111,189
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-137k
+438k
+495k
$25k / yr
-227k
+348k
+405k
$50k / yr
-317k
+258k
+315k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
25
25
$25k / yr
Never
28
28
$50k / yr
Never
33
31
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-209%
321%
373%
$50k / yr
-146%
119%
145%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate55.2%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Physicians
13.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$58,310
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$235,977|N/A
openings
22,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.8%
Management occupations
3.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$52,063
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$110,000|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Postsecondary teachers
3.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$28,114
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$69,344|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Registered nurses
3.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$55,186
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$72,931|$93,600
openings
189,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.9%
Dentists
3.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$68,148
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$165,184|$179,210
openings
4,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4%
Physical scientists, all other
3.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$46,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$82,000|$117,960
openings
2,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%
Pharmacists
2.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$33,320
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$131,514|$137,480
openings
14,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.6%
Elementary and middle school teachers
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$41,650
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$57,269|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Secondary school teachers
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$47,898
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$65,599|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Life scientists
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$52,899
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$76,692|$90,500
openings
28,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| biology, general. | Undergrad Certificate | 23 | $49,098 - $62,456 |
| biology, general. | Associate's Degree | 268 | $26,429 - $62,849 |
| biology, general. | Bachelor's Degree | 1331 | $27,205 - $134,677 |
| biology, general. | Post-bacc Certificate | 6 | Data N/A |
| biology, general. | Master's Degree | 384 | $50,630 - $243,863 |
| biology, general. | Doctoral Degree | 175 | $70,480 - $189,144 |
| biology, general. | Graduate Certificate | 15 | Data N/A |
| biology, general. | Level 99 | 20 | $62,970 - $85,032 |
| biomathematics, bioinformatics, and computational biology. | Bachelor's Degree | 59 | $51,054 - $124,242 |
| biomathematics, bioinformatics, and computational biology. | Master's Degree | 103 | $94,431 - $166,264 |
| biomathematics, bioinformatics, and computational biology. | Doctoral Degree | 58 | Data N/A |
| biomathematics, bioinformatics, and computational biology. | Graduate Certificate | 13 | Data N/A |
| botany/plant biology. | Bachelor's Degree | 42 | $42,743 - $60,715 |
| botany/plant biology. | Master's Degree | 42 | Data N/A |
| botany/plant biology. | Doctoral Degree | 38 | Data N/A |
| cell/cellular biology and anatomical sciences. | Associate's Degree | 2 | $77,786 - $77,786 |
| cell/cellular biology and anatomical sciences. | Bachelor's Degree | 73 | $50,981 - $117,816 |
| cell/cellular biology and anatomical sciences. | Master's Degree | 68 | $299,873 - $299,873 |
| cell/cellular biology and anatomical sciences. | Doctoral Degree | 100 | $84,844 - $139,980 |
| ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. | Undergrad Certificate | 6 | Data N/A |
| ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. | Associate's Degree | 8 | Data N/A |
| ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. | Bachelor's Degree | 205 | $31,382 - $65,639 |
| ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. | Master's Degree | 114 | $53,164 - $237,136 |
| ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. | Doctoral Degree | 103 | $70,373 - $185,905 |
| ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. | First Professional Degree | 2 | $74,229 - $74,229 |
| ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. | Graduate Certificate | 13 | $91,158 - $102,199 |
| human biology. | Bachelor's Degree | 21 | $48,483 - $83,420 |
| neurobiology and neurosciences. | Bachelor's Degree | 213 | $48,464 - $143,067 |
| neurobiology and neurosciences. | Master's Degree | 40 | Data N/A |
| neurobiology and neurosciences. | Doctoral Degree | 104 | $87,403 - $148,833 |
| zoology/animal biology. | Associate's Degree | 4 | $34,635 - $34,635 |
| zoology/animal biology. | Bachelor's Degree | 83 | $35,875 - $69,471 |
| zoology/animal biology. | Master's Degree | 50 | $59,671 - $76,344 |
| zoology/animal biology. | Doctoral Degree | 41 | $80,719 - $94,713 |