Also called: Scientist I, Lab Scientist
Runs experiments day to day in a biotech company's lab—the hands of a research team.
Grows cells, runs gels and PCR, and records every step in an electronic notebook. Presents a few slides of results at the weekly team meeting.
Industry estimate; higher in Boston/SF.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in biology, biochemistry, or chemistry.
Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). Estimate.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Robots and cloud labs absorb routine PCR, gels and cell work; fewer bench associates, more who run automation and check data.
Classes: AP Biology, Chemistry, Statistics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-4021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.