Where a Life Science Degree Leads
55 careers in 7 families: what each job is, the skills it asks, how people get in, and what it pays in the US and the UK, from public sources. Each with the quizzes that fit.
55 careers
Research and the lab
Asking the questions and running the experiments.
Research
Biochemist
Studies the chemistry of life: the proteins, fats, sugars and nucleic acids in cells and the reactions that keep them working.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $127,410
- UK
- £28,000–£53,000
Research
Biomedical Research Scientist
Investigates the causes of human disease and looks for better ways to diagnose, treat and prevent it, through lab and clinical research.
- Way in
- PhD
- US
- $103,410
- UK
- £27,000–£48,000
Research
Forensic Scientist
Analyses evidence from crimes, such as blood, DNA, fibres and drugs, and reports what it shows to investigators and the courts.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $72,060
- UK
- £27,000–£45,000
Research
Geneticist
Studies how genes are passed on and how changes in DNA shape traits and disease, in people, animals, plants or microbes.
- Way in
- PhD
- US
- $98,920
- UK
- £35,000–£58,000
Research
Laboratory Technician
Keeps a science lab running: preparing samples and solutions, running tests and looking after the instruments scientists rely on.
- Way in
- School or apprenticeship
- US
- $57,510
- UK
- £24,000–£31,000
Research
Microbiologist
Studies bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microbes to diagnose infections, keep medicines and food safe, and put microbes to useful work.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $87,990
- UK
- £23,000–£45,000
Research
Molecular Biologist
Studies DNA, RNA and proteins to find out how genes are controlled and how cells work, grow and go wrong in disease.
- Way in
- PhD
- US
- $98,920
Research
Pharmacologist
Studies how drugs act on the body and how the body handles them, to find new medicines and make existing ones safer.
- Way in
- PhD
- US
- $103,410
- UK
- £27,000–£55,000
Research
Research Biologist
Researches how living things work, from cells and organs to whole species, and turns findings into data, papers and practical uses.
- Way in
- Master's
- US
- $98,920
- UK
- £24,000–£40,000
Research
Toxicologist
Studies how chemicals, drugs and toxins harm living things, and works out safe doses and exposure limits for people, animals and the environment.
- Way in
- Master's
- US
- $103,410
Healthcare science
The science behind diagnosis, in hospitals and clinics.
Healthcare science
Biomedical Scientist
Tests blood, tissue and other samples in hospital labs to help doctors diagnose disease, choose treatment and check that it is working.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $62,930
- UK
- £30,000–£53,000
Healthcare science
Clinical Scientist
Uses specialist science in healthcare: running and interpreting complex tests and developing new methods that guide diagnosis and treatment.
- Way in
- Master's
- UK
- £49,000–£65,000
Healthcare science
Genetic Counsellor
Helps people and families understand inherited conditions and genetic test results, and what those mean for their health and choices.
- Way in
- Master's
- US
- $100,040
Healthcare science
Health Promotion Specialist
Designs and runs programmes that help people and communities stay healthy, from stop-smoking schemes to sexual and mental health campaigns.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $64,070
- UK
- £25,000–£35,000
Healthcare science
Histotechnologist
Turns tissue from biopsies and operations into thin, stained slides that pathologists examine under the microscope to make a diagnosis.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $62,930
Patient care
Working with patients, after a professional degree.
Patient care
Audiologist
Tests hearing and balance, finds the cause of problems and helps people manage them with hearing aids, implants and therapy.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $95,780
- UK
- £32,000–£57,000
Patient care
Dentist
Looks after the health of the teeth, gums and mouth: finding problems early, treating them and helping patients prevent them.
- Way in
- Professional degree
- US
- $170,950
- UK
- £55,000–£117,000
Patient care
Dietitian
Assesses what people eat and turns the science of nutrition into practical diet plans that treat illness and support recovery.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $76,400
- UK
- £32,000–£48,000
Patient care
General Practitioner
Looks after patients of every age in the community: works out what is wrong, prescribes treatment and sends people on to hospital specialists when needed.
- Way in
- Professional degree
- US
- $244,180
- UK
- £79,000–£119,000
Patient care
Nurse
Cares for people who are ill, injured or recovering: assessing their needs, giving treatment and medicines, and supporting patients and families.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $97,550
- UK
- £32,000–£48,000
Patient care
Nutritionist
Uses the science of food and nutrients to advise people, companies and public bodies on eating for good health.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $76,400
- UK
- £32,000–£48,000
Patient care
Optometrist
Examines eyes and vision, prescribes glasses and contact lenses, and spots early signs of eye disease and wider health problems.
- Way in
- Professional degree
- US
- $136,570
- UK
- £40,000–£65,000
Patient care
Pathologist
Diagnoses disease from tissue, cells, blood and other samples, producing the findings that guide the treatment other doctors give.
- Way in
- Professional degree
- US
- $312,400
- UK
- £54,000–£115,000
Patient care
Pharmacist
Makes sure people get the right medicines safely: checking prescriptions, explaining doses and side effects, and advising prescribers.
- Way in
- Professional degree
- US
- $140,910
- UK
- £40,000–£65,000
Patient care
Pharmacy Technician
Prepares and supplies medicines under a pharmacist's supervision, and keeps the pharmacy's stock, records and safety checks in order.
- Way in
- School or apprenticeship
- US
- $45,750
- UK
- £28,000–£39,000
Patient care
Physician Associate
Examines patients and helps diagnose and treat them as part of a medical team, always under a doctor's supervision.
- Way in
- Master's
- US
- $135,880
- UK
- £48,000–£57,000
Patient care
Physiotherapist
Helps people move better after injury, illness or surgery, using exercise, hands-on treatment and advice to ease pain and build strength.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $102,760
- UK
- £32,000–£48,000
Patient care
Radiographer
Takes X-ray, CT and MRI images of the body to help diagnose illness and injury, or gives radiotherapy to treat cancer.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $80,110
- UK
- £32,000–£48,000
Patient care
Veterinarian
Diagnoses, treats and prevents disease and injury in animals, from family pets to farm livestock and zoo animals.
- Way in
- Professional degree
- US
- $130,100
- UK
- £32,000–£65,000
Patient care
Veterinary Nurse
Cares for sick and injured animals, supports vets in surgery and carries out many of the tests and treatments a practice relies on.
- Way in
- School or apprenticeship
- US
- $47,380
- UK
- £24,000–£32,000
Industry and biotech
Making, testing and bringing products to market.
Industry
Biomedical Engineer
Applies engineering to medicine, designing and testing devices such as artificial limbs, implants, imaging systems and patient monitors.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $109,370
- UK
- £26,000–£75,000
Industry
Bioprocess Engineer
Designs and runs the processes that use living cells to make products such as vaccines, antibodies, enzymes and biofuels at scale.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $109,370
- UK
- £34,000–£65,000
Industry
Biotechnologist
Uses living cells, enzymes and microbes to make useful products, from medicines and vaccines to cleaner fuels and hardier crops.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- UK
- £27,000–£57,000
Industry
Clinical Research Associate
Monitors clinical trials of new medicines and devices, checking that each trial site follows the protocol, protects patients and records accurate data.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
Industry
Cosmetic Scientist
Develops and tests skin care, hair care and make-up products, making sure each one is safe, stable and does what the label claims.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $91,240
Industry
Food Scientist
Applies chemistry, microbiology and engineering to make food safe, nutritious and appealing, and to keep it that way from factory to plate.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $88,720
- UK
- £24,000–£45,000
Industry
Medical Sales Representative
Explains and sells medicines, medical devices or lab products to doctors, pharmacists, hospitals and labs, backed by solid product knowledge.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $104,920
Industry
Quality Control Analyst
Tests raw materials and finished products such as medicines, foods and cosmetics to make sure each batch is safe and meets its specification.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $62,280
- UK
- £25,000–£40,000
Industry
Regulatory Affairs Officer
Gets medicines, medical devices and other health products approved, then keeps them within the law for as long as they are sold.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $80,730
Data and computation
Statistics, code and the analysis of biological data.
Data
Bioinformatician
Uses programming and statistics to make sense of biological data, from DNA sequences and gene expression to protein structures.
- Way in
- Master's
- US
- $98,920
Data
Biostatistician
Applies statistics to questions in biology and medicine, from designing clinical trials to analysing the data that shows whether a treatment works.
- Way in
- Master's
- US
- $105,650
- UK
- £28,000–£65,000
Data
Clinical Data Manager
Makes sure the data collected in clinical trials is complete, accurate and ready for analysis, from the first patient to the final database.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $120,230
Data
Data Scientist
Turns large, messy datasets into answers, using programming, statistics and machine learning to find patterns and build predictive models.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $120,230
- UK
- £32,000–£83,000
Data
Epidemiologist
Studies how disease spreads and who it affects, finding causes and risk factors so health services can prevent and control illness.
- Way in
- Master's
- US
- $87,220
Environment, plants and animals
Ecosystems, crops, wildlife and the land.
Environment
Animal Scientist
Studies the breeding, nutrition, growth and health of farm animals to improve their welfare and the food they produce.
- Way in
- Master's
- US
- $68,940
Environment
Conservation Officer
Protects and manages wildlife, habitats and green spaces, balancing the needs of nature with farming, visitors and local communities.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $73,010
- UK
- £22,000–£34,000
Environment
Ecologist
Studies how plants, animals and their surroundings affect each other, and uses that knowledge to protect habitats and guide land use.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $82,220
- UK
- £24,000–£50,000
Environment
Environmental Scientist
Investigates pollution and other hazards in air, water, soil and food, and advises on how to reduce harm to people and nature.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $82,220
- UK
- £25,000–£50,000
Environment
Marine Biologist
Studies life in the oceans and along coasts, from plankton to whales, and how it responds to fishing, pollution and warming seas.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $76,780
Environment
Plant Scientist
Studies how plants grow, fight off disease and respond to soil and climate, and uses that knowledge to improve crops.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $78,850
- UK
- £27,000–£60,000
Environment
Zoologist
Studies animals: how they behave, evolve, fall ill and interact with their habitats, both in the wild and in captivity.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $76,780
- UK
- £23,000–£48,000
Teaching, writing and law
Explaining science, teaching it and protecting it.
Teaching and writing
Medical and Science Writer
Writes clear, accurate material about science and medicine, from patient leaflets and news stories to clinical trial documents.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $90,390
Teaching and writing
Patent Attorney
Protects inventions by turning the science behind them into patent applications, then defends or challenges those patents for clients.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $159,670
- UK
- £35,000–£95,000
Teaching and writing
Science Teacher
Teaches biology, chemistry and physics to secondary school pupils, planning lessons, running practicals and tracking each pupil's progress.
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $72,040
- UK
- £34,000–£53,000
Teaching and writing
University Lecturer
Teaches life science or medical subjects to university students and often carries out research alongside the teaching.
- Way in
- PhD
- US
- $84,620
- UK
- £37,000–£65,000