Entry Level Salary
$36,436
Median Salary
$106,588
Unemployment Rate
2.5%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
19.1%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $4,263,520
Entry (Early)
$36,436
Median (Prime)
$106,588
High (Prime)
$112,543
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
-128k
+460k
+508k
$25k / yr
-218k
+370k
+418k
$50k / yr
-308k
+280k
+328k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
25
24
$25k / yr
Never
28
27
$50k / yr
Never
32
31
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-200%
341%
385%
$50k / yr
-142%
129%
151%
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).
These figures are medians for past graduates who received federal aid. Your cost and pay will differ. Run your own numbers in the Guided ROI Interview →
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate55.5%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Physicians
13.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$57,928
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$240,000|$271,090
openings
20,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.6%
Management occupations
3.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$53,592
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$111,222|$126,520
openings
1,081,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.2%
Registered nurses
3.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$57,928
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$75,302|$97,550
openings
180,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.6%
Postsecondary teachers
3.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$27,806
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$72,873|$82,250
openings
123,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6%
Dentists
3.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$67,526
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$169,151|$176,110
openings
4,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.6%
Physical scientists, all other
3.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$48,233
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$85,018|$122,570
openings
1,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.1%
Pharmacists
2.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$32,155
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$130,000|$140,910
openings
12,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.2%
Elementary and middle school teachers
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$41,802
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,951|$64,170
openings
127,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.4%
Secondary school teachers
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$48,381
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$66,910|$70,930
openings
70,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.2%
Life scientists
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$54,453
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$78,783|$96,310
openings
27,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +9.4%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 22 to 27 (American Community Survey).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2025–2035).
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 | 12 | $49,098 - $62,456 |
| biology, general. | Associate's Degree | 253 | $26,429 - $68,503 |
| biology, general. | Bachelor's Degree | 1329 | $27,205 - $134,677 |
| biology, general. | Post-bacc Certificate | 3 | Data N/A |
| biology, general. | Master's Degree | 378 | $50,630 - $128,052 |
| biology, general. | Doctoral Degree | 170 | $70,480 - $189,144 |
| biology, general. | Graduate Certificate | 14 | $72,850 - $73,216 |
| biomathematics, bioinformatics, and computational biology. | Bachelor's Degree | 56 | $51,054 - $124,242 |
| biomathematics, bioinformatics, and computational biology. | Master's Degree | 102 | $94,431 - $166,264 |
| biomathematics, bioinformatics, and computational biology. | Doctoral Degree | 57 | Data N/A |
| biomathematics, bioinformatics, and computational biology. | Graduate Certificate | 12 | $161,696 - $161,696 |
| botany/plant biology. | Bachelor's Degree | 39 | $42,743 - $60,715 |
| botany/plant biology. | Master's Degree | 40 | Data N/A |
| botany/plant biology. | Doctoral Degree | 37 | 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 | 67 | $50,981 - $117,816 |
| cell/cellular biology and anatomical sciences. | Master's Degree | 64 | $65,440 - $299,873 |
| cell/cellular biology and anatomical sciences. | Doctoral Degree | 92 | $84,844 - $139,980 |
| cell/cellular biology and anatomical sciences. | Graduate Certificate | 1 | $97,603 - $97,603 |
| ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. | Undergrad Certificate | 2 | Data N/A |
| ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. | Associate's Degree | 5 | Data N/A |
| ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. | Bachelor's Degree | 187 | $31,382 - $65,639 |
| ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. | Master's Degree | 112 | $53,164 - $237,136 |
| ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. | Doctoral Degree | 104 | $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 | 212 | $48,464 - $143,067 |
| neurobiology and neurosciences. | Master's Degree | 36 | Data N/A |
| neurobiology and neurosciences. | Doctoral Degree | 103 | $87,403 - $148,833 |
| neurobiology and neurosciences. | Graduate Certificate | 1 | Data N/A |
| zoology/animal biology. | Associate's Degree | 4 | $34,635 - $34,635 |
| zoology/animal biology. | Bachelor's Degree | 78 | $34,823 - $69,471 |
| zoology/animal biology. | Master's Degree | 45 | $59,671 - $76,344 |
| zoology/animal biology. | Doctoral Degree | 39 | $80,719 - $94,713 |