Biological Scientists, All Other
SOC Code: 19-1029.00
Life, Physical & Social ScienceThe biological scientists 'all other' category encompasses researchers and scientists working in biological subdisciplines not classified elsewhere—from parasitologists and lichenologists to cryobiologists and taxonomists. With a median salary around $93,330, these professionals pursue specialized research in niche areas of biological science that don't fit neatly into major categories like microbiology, zoology, or ecology. Despite their diverse specializations, these scientists share a common mission: advancing understanding of living systems through observation, experimentation, and analysis, contributing essential knowledge to medicine, agriculture, conservation, and fundamental science.
Salary Overview
Median
$93,330
25th Percentile
$67,950
75th Percentile
$121,350
90th Percentile
$159,780
Salary Distribution
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Growth Rate
+1.2%
New Openings
4,800
Outlook
Slower than average
Key Skills
Knowledge Areas
What They Do
- Communicate research results through conference presentations, scientific publications, or project reports.
- Consult with researchers to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, or determine computational strategies.
- Keep abreast of new biochemistries, instrumentation, or software by reading scientific literature and attending professional conferences.
- Develop data models and databases.
- Manipulate publicly accessible, commercial, or proprietary genomic, proteomic, or post-genomic databases.
- Direct the work of technicians and information technology staff applying bioinformatics tools or applications in areas such as proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, or clinical bioinformatics.
- Develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs.
- Create novel computational approaches and analytical tools as required by research goals.
Tools & Technology
★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)
Education Requirements
Typical entry-level education: Master's Degree
Related Careers
Top Career Pivot Targets
View all 56 →Careers with the highest skill compatibility from Biological Scientists, All Other.
A Day in the Life
A day in the life varies dramatically depending on the specialization. A mycologist might spend the morning examining fungal cultures under a microscope, identifying species from field collections, and preparing DNA extraction from specimens for molecular phylogenetic analysis. A parasitologist could be processing blood samples from wildlife studies, counting and identifying parasitic organisms, and recording host-parasite relationships in a research database. A conservation geneticist might run PCR amplification on environmental DNA samples collected from river water, analyzing genetic data to detect the presence of endangered fish species. An astrobiologist could be designing experiments to test microbial survival under simulated Mars conditions. Common elements across these varied specializations include laboratory bench work, data collection and analysis, literature review, grant proposal writing, manuscript preparation, and collaboration with colleagues in related disciplines. Field work may range from forest surveys to deep-sea sampling expeditions depending on the specialty. Documentation, database management, and statistical analysis of results fill substantial portions of each day.
Work Environment
Work environments vary enormously across specializations but commonly include research laboratories, field sites, museums and natural history collections, and offices for analysis and writing. Laboratory settings range from molecular biology labs with standard equipment to specialized facilities for electron microscopy, isotope analysis, or environmental simulation chambers. Field work can involve anything from local nature reserve surveys to international expeditions in remote ecosystems—tropical forests, polar regions, deep ocean sites, or desert environments. Museums and herbaria provide unique workspaces combining research with vast biological collections accumulated over centuries. Academic settings combine research with teaching responsibilities and student mentoring. Work schedules are typically flexible in academia—research demands rather than clock time determine hours. Seasonality affects field-based researchers who may have intensive collection periods followed by laboratory analysis seasons. Collaboration often crosses institutional and international boundaries as specialized biological research frequently requires access to organisms, environments, and expertise distributed globally.
Career Path & Advancement
Most biological scientists in specialized fields require at minimum a master's degree, with doctoral degrees necessary for independent research positions. Bachelor's degree holders enter as research technicians or laboratory assistants. Master's graduates may lead research projects under senior scientists' supervision. Ph.D. holders pursue postdoctoral research before securing permanent positions. Career progression in academia follows the tenure track: assistant professor to associate professor to full professor. Government agencies (NIH, USDA, EPA, USGS, Smithsonian) offer GS-scale research positions with stable career ladders. Private sector opportunities exist at pharmaceutical companies, environmental consulting firms, and biotechnology companies where specialized biological knowledge applies to product development. Museum curators and research associates combine research with specimen collection management and public education. Some biological scientists become program managers at funding agencies, directing research priorities rather than conducting research themselves.
Specializations
Mycologists study fungi—from mushroom ecology and forest decomposition networks to medically significant fungal pathogens and industrial fermentation organisms. Parasitologists research parasitic organisms and their interactions with hosts, contributing to tropical medicine, veterinary science, and wildlife management. Taxonomists and systematists classify species, describe new organisms, and construct evolutionary relationships using morphological and molecular data. Conservation geneticists analyze genetic diversity, population structure, and gene flow to inform endangered species management. Chronobiologists study biological rhythms—circadian clocks, seasonal cycles, and their impact on physiology and behavior. Cryobiologists research how organisms and biological materials respond to low temperatures, with applications in organ preservation and reproductive technology. Astrobiologists explore the potential for life beyond Earth and the conditions under which life originates and persists. Ethnobotanists study traditional plant uses by indigenous cultures, bridging biology with anthropology.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓Deep intellectual engagement pursuing research in personally fascinating areas of biological science
- ✓Competitive salary around $93,330 for established researchers with advanced degrees
- ✓Diverse work environments from laboratories to extraordinary natural settings worldwide
- ✓Contributing to scientific knowledge and addressing challenges in conservation, medicine, and agriculture
- ✓Academic freedom to direct research questions within funded project boundaries
- ✓International collaboration networks connecting with like-minded researchers globally
- ✓Potential for discovery—specialized niches still harbor tremendous unknowns and new species descriptions
Challenges
- ✗Narrow specializations create limited job markets with few positions precisely matching research interests
- ✗Extensive educational requirements—Ph.D. plus postdoctoral training spanning many years beyond bachelor's
- ✗Competitive, uncertain funding landscape requiring constant grant writing effort
- ✗Geographic inflexibility—positions in specific specializations may exist at only a handful of institutions
- ✗Isolation risk in highly specialized research with few peer-level colleagues at any single institution
- ✗Pressure to demonstrate the relevance and applicability of basic research to justify funding
- ✗Physical demands and personal risks associated with field research in remote or challenging environments
Industry Insight
Specialized biological sciences are being reshaped by genomic technologies that enable research previously impossible. Environmental DNA (eDNA) biodiversity surveys, metagenomics of complex communities, comparative genomics across species, and genome-guided species discovery are transforming fields from ecology to taxonomy. Biodiversity crisis awareness and climate change impacts are driving funding toward conservation biology, species monitoring, and ecosystem resilience research. One Health approaches—recognizing connections between human, animal, and environmental health—are creating demand for parasitologists, wildlife disease specialists, and environmental biologists. Citizen science initiatives and community-based monitoring programs are generating large datasets requiring professional scientist analysis and interpretation. The chronic underfunding of taxonomy and natural history collections threatens institutional knowledge that cannot be replicated. Despite these challenges, specialized biological knowledge becomes more valuable as environmental and health threats increasingly require niche expertise for effective response.
How to Break Into This Career
Identifying your specific biological interest early and seeking mentorship from established researchers in that niche is critical. Undergraduate research experience—participating in faculty research projects, conducting independent studies, and presenting at conferences—provides essential preparation. Choosing graduate programs with faculty expertise in your target specialization ensures appropriate mentoring and research resources. Building both wet-lab (molecular techniques, microscopy, specimen preparation) and computational (bioinformatics, statistical analysis, GIS) skills broadens capability. Field experience through seasonal positions, research station internships, or volunteer work on established projects builds practical skills and professional networks. Publishing during graduate school establishes scientific credibility—even small conference presentations and co-authored papers build a record. Museum and natural history collection internships provide unique access to specimen-based research methods. Taxonomic expertise, while unfashionable in some circles, remains critically needed and valued at museums, government agencies, and environmental consulting firms.
Career Pivot Tips
Specialized biological scientists develop research methodology, analytical skills, writing ability, and deep domain knowledge that support several career transitions. Environmental consulting is a natural fit for ecologists, taxonomists, and conservation biologists—conducting environmental impact assessments, endangered species surveys, and habitat evaluations for development projects. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies hire specialized biologists for drug discovery, agricultural biotechnology, and biomanufacturing research. Science communication and journalism careers leverage the ability to translate complex biology for broader audiences. Museum and science center positions combine research with education and public engagement. Patent examination and intellectual property positions value the ability to evaluate biological innovation. Government regulatory positions at EPA, USDA, and Fish & Wildlife Service apply specialized knowledge to policy implementation. Teaching at all levels—from high school through university—applies pedagogical skills developed through academic mentoring. Data science transitions are achievable for biologists with strong statistical and computational skills.