Also called: Bioengineer (Synthetic Biology)
Reprograms microbes and cells to make medicines, materials, and foods.
Synthetic biologists design DNA sequences, engineer yeast to brew spider silk or medicines, and run automated lab experiments.
New field; figures are estimates from job postings.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. PhD in bioengineering, molecular biology, or chemical engineering.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Bioengineering, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering.
Growing faster than average. No separate BLS projection; estimate based on related occupations.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI protein design and robot labs now run many experiments, so fewer bench roles; choosing goals and interpreting results stay human.
Classes: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Computer Science, AP Statistics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-1029.
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.