Biotechnology
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Types of Degrees Biotechnology Majors Are Getting
The following table lists how many biotechnology graduations there were in 2018-2019 for each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1,469 |
| Graduate Certificate | 65 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 17 |
What Biotechnology Majors Need to Know
In an O*NET survey, biotech majors were asked to rate what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important in their occupations. These answers were weighted on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most important.
Knowledge Areas for Biotech Majors
Biotech majors often go into careers in which the following knowledge areas are important:
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
- Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
- Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Skills for Biotech Majors
The following list of skills has been highlighted as some of the most essential for careers related to biotech:
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Abilities for Biotech Majors
Some of the most crucial abilities to master while a biotech student include the following:
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
What Can You Do With a Biotechnology Major?
People with a biotech degree often go into the following careers:
| Job Title | Job Growth Rate | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Science Professors | 15.1% | $82,550 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 9.9% | $123,860 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 8.0% | $79,590 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 9.9% | $123,860 |
| Water Resource Specialists | 9.9% | $123,860 |
Who Is Getting a Master’s Degree in Biotechnology?
Racial-Ethnic Diversity
At the countrywide level, the racial-ethnic distribution of biotech majors is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 189 |
| Black or African American | 135 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 143 |
| White | 498 |
| International Students | 390 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 114 |
Geographic Diversity
Americans aren’t the only ones with an interest in Biotech. About 26.5% of those with this major are international students. The most popular countries for students from outside the country are:
- India
- China
- Saudi Arabia
- Malaysia
- Nepal
How Much Do Biotechnology Majors Make?
Master’s Degree Starting Salary
Data from the U.S. Department of Education shows that biotechnology students who graduated in 2015-2017 with a master’s degree made a median starting salary of $68,400 per year. During this timeframe, most salaries fell between $61,050 (25th percentile) and $72,450 (75th percentile).
It’s important to note that just because the people reporting these salaries have a degree in biotech, it does not mean that they are working in a job related to their degree.
Salaries According to BLS
Biotech majors often go into careers where salaries can range from $83,600 to $139,680 (25th to 75th percentile). This range includes all degree levels, so you may expect those with a more advanced degree to make more while those with less advanced degrees will typically make less.
To put that into context, according to BLS data from the first quarter of 2020, the typical high school graduate makes between $30,000 and $57,900 a year (25th through 75th percentile). The average person with a bachelor’s degree (any field) makes between $45,600 and $99,000. Advanced degree holders make the most with salaries between $55,600 and $125,400.
Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to Biotechnology
Some degrees associated with biotech may require an advanced degree, while others may not even require a bachelor’s in the field. Whatever the case may be, pursuing more education usually means that more career options will be available to you.
How much schooling do you really need to compete in today’s job market? People currently working in careers related to biotech have obtained the following education levels.
| Education Level | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Less than a High School Diploma | 0.7% |
| High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) | 1.7% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) | 1.8% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 2.4% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 35.6% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master. | 2.0% |
| Master’s Degree | 18.8% |
| Doctoral Degree | 19.9% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 17.0% |
Online Biotechnology Programs
In 2018-2019, 243 schools offered a biotech program of some type. The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.
| Degree Level | Colleges Offering Programs | Colleges Offering Online Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate (Less Than 1 Year) | 27 | 0 |
| Certificate (1-2 years) | 18 | 0 |
| Certificate (2-4 Years) | 1 | 0 |
| Associate’s Degree | 59 | 0 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 20 | 4 |
| Post-Baccalaureate | 27 | 0 |
| Master’s Degree | 81 | 3 |
| Post-Master’s | 4 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Research) | 9 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice) | 0 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Other) | 0 | 0 |
Is a Degree in Biotechnology Worth It?
The median salary for a biotech grad is $97,340 per year. This is based on the weighted average of the most common careers associated with the major.
This is 144% more than the average salary for an individual holding a high school degree. This adds up to a gain of about $1,148,800 after 20 years!
Top Ranking Lists for Biotechnology
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Majors Related to Biotechnology
You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to biotech.
| Major | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| General Biology | 8,410 |
| Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology | 3,098 |
| Physiology & Pathology Sciences | 2,214 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology | 2,071 |
| Biomathematics & Bioinformatics | 1,894 |
| Biological & Biomedical Sciences (Other) | 1,888 |
| Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences | 1,488 |
| Microbiological Sciences & Immunology | 1,211 |
| Neurobiology & Neurosciences | 1,120 |
| Pharmacology & Toxicology | 931 |
| Genetics | 637 |
| Zoology | 514 |
| Botany/Plant Biology | 407 |
| Molecular Medicine | 71 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.
- College Factual
- College Scorecard
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers First Quarter 2020
- Image Credit: By Henk Caspers/Naturalis Biodiversity Center under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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