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Pharmaceuticals
Pfizer, Merck, Eli Lilly
Life Scientists, All Other
Life scientists in this catch-all category study living systems, run experiments, collect samples, and turn biological data into usable findings for research, product development, or public health work. The job is distinct because the work can swing from wet-lab experiments to field sampling to data analysis, but the tradeoff is that results are often slow, equipment-heavy, and tightly tied to lab schedules, funding, and regulations.
Also known as ScientistLife ScientistBiologistLaboratory ScientistResearch Scientist
Median Salary
$87,800
Mean $101,940
U.S. Workforce
~7K
0.4K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+3.7%
7.8K to 8.1K
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Life Scientists, All Other sits in the Science category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~7K workers, with a median annual pay of $87,800 and roughly 0.4K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 7.8 K in 2024 to 8.1K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Bachelor's degree in biology or a related life science, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Biological Technician and can progress toward Principal Scientist. High-value skills usually include Experimental Design & Research Methods, R, Python & Excel Data Analysis, and PCR, Cell Culture & Microscopy, paired with soft skills such as Attention to detail, Critical thinking, and Problem-solving.
Core Responsibilities
- Plan experiments to test a biological question, choose the right samples, and decide what measurements to take.
- Collect and label cells, tissues, soil, water, or other biological samples so they can be tested without contamination.
- Run lab tests and use instruments like microscopes, incubators, sequencers, or centrifuges to generate results.
- Review the data, compare it with previous work, and look for patterns, errors, or unexpected outcomes.
Keep exploring: more Science careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Plan experiments to test a biological question, choose the right samples, and decide what measurements to take.
02 Collect and label cells, tissues, soil, water, or other biological samples so they can be tested without contamination.
03 Run lab tests and use instruments like microscopes, incubators, sequencers, or centrifuges to generate results.
04 Review the data, compare it with previous work, and look for patterns, errors, or unexpected outcomes.
05 Write reports, update lab records, and explain findings to managers, clients, or other scientists.
06 Work with technicians, researchers, and quality or safety staff to keep projects on track and follow required procedures.
Industries That Hire
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Biotechnology
Amgen, Genentech, Moderna
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Government and Public Health Research
NIH, CDC, USDA
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Agriculture and Seed Science
Bayer, Corteva, Syngenta
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Medical Devices and Diagnostics
Abbott, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Roche Diagnostics
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is solid for a science role that typically starts with a bachelor's degree: the median is $87,800 and the mean is $101,940.
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You can enter the field without prior work experience or on-the-job training, which makes it more accessible than many research careers.
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The work is varied because it can include experiments, sample collection, data analysis, and reporting rather than one repetitive task.
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The occupation shows up in several industries, including pharma, biotech, agriculture, and public health, so you are not locked into one employer type.
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Even though growth is modest, the field still has about 0.4K annual openings, so there are replacement jobs coming up each year.
Challenges
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Growth is only 3.7% through 2034, with just 0.3K added jobs, so this is not a fast-expanding field.
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The market is small, with only 7,320 current jobs and about 0.4K annual openings, which can make competition for openings intense.
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Many employers eventually favor advanced degrees or very specific experience for independent research, so a bachelor's degree may not be enough for long-term advancement.
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A lot of the work has to happen in labs, clinics, or field sites, so fully remote work is limited.
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Projects can be slowed or stopped by grant cycles, product decisions, or regulatory review, which creates instability that is outside the scientist's control.
Career Progression
Biological Technician
0-3 years
$40K-$58K
Supports experiments, prepares samples, maintains equipment, and learns how the lab or field program works.
Life Scientist, All Other
3-7 years
$74K-$98K
Runs studies more independently, analyzes results, and writes up findings for other scientists or decision-makers.
Senior Life Scientist THIS ROLE
7-12 years
$100K-$132K
Designs more complex studies, troubleshoots difficult problems, and often mentors junior staff.
Principal Scientist
12+ years
$133K-$170K
Leads major research projects, sets technical direction, and connects scientific work to business, public health, or regulatory goals.
Education Paths
Bachelor's degree in biology or a related life science
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry credential for this role, with no work experience or on-the-job training required.
Master's degree in biology, biochemistry, microbiology, or biotechnology
A master's degree can help you qualify for more specialized research work and can make you more competitive for higher-responsibility lab roles.
PhD in a life science field
A PhD is often the best path for independent research, leading studies, or moving into the most specialized scientist roles.
Postbaccalaureate lab certificate or research training plus experience
A focused certificate can help with technician-to-scientist moves, but it usually supplements a degree rather than replacing one.
Key Skills
Technical
Experimental Design & Research Methods 92%
R, Python & Excel Data Analysis 88%
PCR, Cell Culture & Microscopy 86%
GraphPad Prism, SPSS & Statistics 83%
LIMS & Electronic Lab Notebooks 78%
GLP, GMP & Biosafety Compliance 74%
Soft Skills
Attention to detailCritical thinkingProblem-solvingCommunicationCollaborationPatience Job Outlook and Trends
+3.7%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
0.4K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 7.8K to 8.1 K over the next decade, representing 3.7% growth. Around 0.4 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Limited. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.