Developmental Biologist

Also called: Embryologist (Research)

Studies how a single fertilized egg grows into a whole organism.

A day in the life

Watches zebrafish embryos (which are see-through) develop under the microscope and figures out which genes tell cells to become fins, hearts, or eyes.

Pay over a career

Starting
$65k
Typical
$100k
High
$155k

Estimate; industry pays more than universities.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. PhD in biology or a related field, often plus a postdoc.

Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.

Majors to look at: Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology.

Outlook

Growing faster than average. Tracks BLS life scientists (medical scientists and biochemists grow faster than average).

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Medium risk for 10 years. AI tracks embryo images and gene data automatically; animal work and figuring out what it means stay human.

Start now, in high school

Classes: AP Biology, Chemistry, Statistics.

Official data: O*NET occupation 19-1029.

More Cell Biology, Development & Anatomy careers

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.