Biologists

Description

Career Cluster:

Health Science

Research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Biologists

Education

Required Level of Education

• Bachelor's Degree = 24.24%
• Post-Doctoral Training = 24.20%
• Master's Degree = 23.69%
• Doctoral Degree = 14.94%
• High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate) = 11.69%
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master = 1.24%

Related Work Experience

• Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years = 27.50%
• Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 25.95%
• Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years = 13.33%
• Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 11.60%
• None = 9.59%
• Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 6.46%
• Over 10 years = 2.79%
• Up to and including 1 month = 2.79%

On-Site or In-Plant Training

• None = 43.59%
• Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 22.51%
• Up to and including 1 month = 14.42%
• Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 9.12%
• Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 9.12%
• Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 1.24%

On-the-Job Training

• None or short demonstration = 31.31%
• Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 18.61%
• Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 16.36%
• Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 9.59%
• Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years = 9.12%
• Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 8.42%
• Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 6.59%

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Biologists

Tasks

Core Tasks Include:

• Collect and analyze biological data about relationships among and between organisms and their environment.
• Supervise biological technicians and technologists and other scientists.
• Program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data.
• Prepare technical and research reports, such as environmental impact reports, and communicate the results to individuals in industry, government, or the general public.
• Develop and maintain liaisons and effective working relations with groups and individuals, agencies, and the public to encourage cooperative management strategies or to develop information and interpret findings.
• Prepare requests for proposals or statements of work.
• Represent employer in a technical capacity at conferences.

Supplemental Tasks Include:

• Cultivate, breed, and grow aquatic life, such as lobsters, clams, or fish.
• Study and manage wild animal populations.
• Study aquatic plants and animals and environmental conditions affecting them, such as radioactivity or pollution.
• Study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and function.
• Teach or supervise students and perform research at universities and colleges.
• Plan and administer biological research programs for government, research firms, medical industries, or manufacturing firms.
• Measure salinity, acidity, light, oxygen content, and other physical conditions of water to determine their relationship to aquatic life.
• Prepare plans for management of renewable resources.
• Communicate test results to state and federal representatives and general public.
• Review reports and proposals, such as those relating to land use classifications and recreational development, for accuracy, adequacy, or adherence to policies, regulations, or scientific standards.
• Research environmental effects of present and potential uses of land and water areas, determining methods of improving environmental conditions or such outputs as crop yields.
• Identify, classify, and study structure, behavior, ecology, physiology, nutrition, culture, and distribution of plant and animal species.
• Develop methods and apparatus for securing representative plant, animal, aquatic, or soil samples.
• Study reactions of plants, animals, and marine species to parasites.
• Develop pest management and control measures, and conduct risk assessments related to pest exclusion, using scientific methods.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Biologists

Tools and Technology

Tools Include:

• Specialty plates for bacteria (Agar plates)
• Automated microscope stages (Automated microscopes)
• Robotic or automated liquid handling systems (Automatic pipetters)
• Benchtop centrifuges
• Freezedryers or lyophilzers (Benchtop lyophilizers)
• Tissue culture incubators (Bioreactors)
• HEPA filtered enclosures (Biosafety cabinets)
• Gas burners (Bunsen burners)
• Tube furnaces (Carbolite ovens)
• Vacuum or centrifugal concentrators (Centrifugal evaporators)
• Conductivity meters
• Deoxyribonucleic sequence analyzers (Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA sequencers)
• Desktop computers
• Digestion systems (Digestion units)
• Digital cameras
• Commercial fishing nets (Dip nets)
• Stereo or dissecting light microscopes (Dissecting microscopes)
• Bi distillation units (Distillation units)
• Electron microscopes
• Laboratory balances (Electronic precision balances)
• Gel boxes (Electrophoresis chambers)
• Laboratory flasks (Erlenmeyer flasks)
• Standard fermentation units (Fermenters)
• Liquid scintillation counters (Fluid scintillation counters)
• Fluorescent microscopes (Fluorescence microscopes)
• French pressure cells (French presses)
• Fume hoods or cupboards (Fume hoods)
• Chemical or gas sterilizers (Gas autoclaves)
• Gas chromatographs (Gas chromatographs GC)
• Multipurpose or general test tubes (General purpose laboratory test tubes)
• Laboratory beakers (Glass beakers)
• Laboratory burets (Glass burets)
• Laboratory graduated cylinders (Glass graduated cylinders)
• Laboratory washing machines (Glass washers)
• Global positioning system receivers (Global positioning system GPS devices)
• Handheld thermometer (Handheld digital thermometers)
• Magnetic stirrers (Heated magnetic stirrers)
• Stirring hotplates (Heated stir plates)
• High pressure liquid chromatograph chromatography (High pressure liquid chromatograph HPLC equipment)
• Homogenizers
• Microbiology inoculation loops or needles (Inoculating loops)
• Inverted microscopes (Inverted compound microscopes)
• Analytical balances (Laboratory analytical balances)
• Sampling syringes (Laboratory bulb syringes)
• Dropping pipettes (Laboratory dropping pipettes)
• Laboratory forceps
• Laboratory funnels
• Laboratory hotplates (Laboratory hot plates)
• Laboratory microwave ovens
• Laminar flow cabinets or stations (Laminar flow cabinets)
• Notebook computers (Laptop computers)
• Robotic or automated liquid handling systems (Liquid handling robots)
• Photometers (Luminometers)
• Mainframe computers
• Forced air or mechanical convection general purpose incubators (Mechanical laboratory incubators)
• Barometers (Mercury barometers)
• Dropping pipettes (Micropipettes)
• Photo attachments for microscopes (Microscope digital cameras)
• Microscope slides
• Microplate readers (Microtiter plate readers)
• Microtomes
• Microplates (Multiwell microplates)
• Direction finding compasses (Navigational compasses)
• Binocular light compound microscopes (Optical compound microscopes)
• Orbital shaking water baths
• Pasteur or transfer pipettes (Pasteur pipettes)
• Personal computers
• Petri plates or dishes (Petri dishes)
• pH meters (pH indicators)
• Radiation detectors (Phosporimagers)
• Commercial fishing nets (Plankton nets)
• Cuvettes (Plastic cuvettes)
• Laboratory general purpose tubing (Plastic laboratory tubing)
• Temperature cycling chambers or thermal cyclers (Polymerase chain reaction PCR equipment)
• Portable data input terminals (Portable dataloggers)
• Ultra cold or ultralow upright cabinets or freezers (Propane jet freezers)
• Refrigerated benchtop centrifuges
• Dissolved carbon dioxide analyzers (Respirometers)
• Safety glasses
• Protective gloves (Safety gloves)
• Goggles (Safety goggles)
• Salinity meter (Salinity meters)
• Scanning electron microscopes (Scanning electron microscopes SEM)
• Scanning light or spinning disk or laser scanning microscopes (Scanning laser confocal microscopes)
• Calculators or accessories (Scientific calculators)
• Shaking incubators
• Ultrasonic disintegrators (Sonicators)
• Specimen collectors (Specimen collection containers)
• Spectrophotometers
• Laboratory stirring rods (Spreading rods)
• Benchtop centrifuges (Swinging bucket centrifuges)
• Vortex mixers (Test tube shakers)
• Tissue culture coated plates or dishes or inserts (Tissue culture plates)
• Electronic toploading balances (Top-loading electronic balances)
• Transmission electron microscopes (Transmission electron microscopes TEM)
• Triple beam balances
• Ultracentrifuges
• Microtomes (Ultramicrotomes)
• Transilluminators (Ultraviolet UV transilluminators)
• Spectrophotometers (Ultraviolet UV visible spectrophotometers)
• Ultra violet water purification units (Ultraviolet water purification systems)
• Dehydrators (Vacuum dehydration units)
• Laboratory evaporators (Vacuum evaporators)
• Drying cabinets or ovens (Vertical drying ovens)
• Digital camcorders or video cameras (Video imaging systems)
• Video attachments for microscopes (Video microscopes)
• Open stream current meters (Water flow gauges)
• Water samplers
• Dry wall single chamber carbon dioxide incubators (Water-jacketed CO2 incubators)
• Weather stations
• Spectrometers (X ray spectrometers)
• Stereo or dissecting light microscopes (Zoom microscopes)

Technologies Include:

• Analytical or scientific software

• Agilent Technologies GeneSpring GX
• Basic Local Alignment Search Tool BLAST
• BioKin PlateKi
• BLAT
• Blue Tractor Software DNADynamo
• Cubic
• Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA sequence analysis software
• EMBOSS
• EnzymeX
• Excavator
• FASTA
• FoldX
• Gene Codes Sequencher
• Ingenuity Systems Ingenuity Pathways Analysis
• JaMBW
• Joint Prediction of Operons JPOP
• MacVector
• Meyer Instruments Optimas
• NAMD
• Partek Incorporated Partek Genomics Suite
• Phrap
• Phred
• Protein Explorer
• RepeatMasker
• SequentiX TreeMe
• sim4
• SoftZymics VisualEnzymics
• SPSS software
• SURFDriver Software WinSURF
• Textco BioSoftware Gene Inspector
• The MathWorks MATLAB
• The MathWorks SimBiology
• VayTek VoxBlast
• Visual Molecular Dynamics VMD
• Wolfram Research Mathematica

• Data base user interface and query software

• Microsoft Access

• Development environment software

• National Instruments LabVIEW

• Graphics or photo imaging software

• Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop software

• Internet browser software

• Web browser software

• Object or component oriented development software

• Practical extraction and reporting language Perl
• Sun Microsystems Java

• Office suite software

• Microsoft Office software

• Presentation software

• Microsoft PowerPoint

• Spreadsheet software

• Microsoft Excel

• Word processing software

• Microsoft Word

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Biologists

Special Requirements

There are certifications available such as environmental or toxic waste specializations, many bioliogists work in the field or in research labs.  Many, though may work in private industry utilizing training from an advanced degree in biology.

Most biological scientists need a Ph.D. degree in biology or one of its subfields to work in research or development positions. A period of postdoctoral work in the laboratory of a senior researcher has become common for biological scientists who intend to conduct research or teach at the university level.

Education and training. A Ph.D. degree usually is necessary for independent research, industrial research, and college teaching, as well as for advancement to administrative positions. A master’s degree is sufficient for some jobs in applied research, product development, management, or inspection; it also may qualify one to work as a research technician or a teacher. The bachelor’s degree is adequate for some nonresearch jobs. For example, graduates with a bachelor’s degree may start as biological scientists in testing and inspection or may work in jobs related to biological science, such as technical sales or service representatives. Some work as research assistants, laboratory technicians, or high school biology teachers. (See the statements elsewhere in the Handbook on clinical laboratory technologists and technicians; science technicians; and teachers—preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary.) Many with a bachelor’s degree in biology enter medical, dental, veterinary, or other health profession schools.

In addition to required courses in chemistry and biology, undergraduate biological science majors usually study allied disciplines such as mathematics, physics, engineering, and computer science. Computer courses are beneficial for modeling and simulating biological processes, operating some laboratory equipment, and performing research in the emerging field of bioinformatics. Those interested in studying the environment also should take courses in environmental studies and become familiar with applicable legislation and regulations. Prospective biological scientists who hope to work as marine biologists should have at least a bachelor’s degree in a biological or marine science. However, students should not overspecialize in undergraduate study, as knowledge of marine biology often is acquired in graduate study.

For More Information, Contact:

American Institute for Bioligical Sciences
1444 I Street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20005

Phone: 202..62.1500
Fax: 202..62.1509
http://www.aibs.org

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research.

Biologists

Additional Resources

Genetics Society of America
9650 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20814
Tel: (301) 571-1825

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research.

Biologists

Knowledge

%	Subject	Description
98.25	Biology	Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
76.25	Chemistry	Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
74.00	English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
71.25	Mathematics	Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
53.25	Computers and Electronics	Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
51.25	Administration and Management	Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Biologists

Skills

%	Subject	Description
87.50	Science	Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
75.00	Critical Thinking	Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
72.00	Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
65.50	Active Listening	Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
65.50	Complex Problem Solving	Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
62.50	Speaking	Talking to others to convey information effectively.
62.50	Mathematics	Using mathematics to solve problems.
62.50	Writing	Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
62.50	Judgment and Decision Making	Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
59.50	Time Management	Managing one's own time and the time of others.
59.50	Active Learning	Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
56.25	Management of Personnel Resources	Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
56.25	Instructing	Teaching others how to do something.
56.25	Monitoring	Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
56.25	Social Perceptiveness	Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
50.00	Learning Strategies	Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
50.00	Coordination	Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Biologists

Abilities

%	Subject	Description
75.00	Deductive Reasoning	The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
75.00	Inductive Reasoning	The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
72.00	Written Comprehension	The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
68.75	Category Flexibility	The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
68.75	Information Ordering	The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
68.75	Oral Comprehension	The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
65.50	Problem Sensitivity	The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
65.50	Near Vision	The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
65.50	Speech Clarity	The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
65.50	Written Expression	The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
65.50	Oral Expression	The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
65.50	Mathematical Reasoning	The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
62.50	Speech Recognition	The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
56.25	Far Vision	The ability to see details at a distance.
56.25	Flexibility of Closure	The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
56.25	Fluency of Ideas	The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
56.25	Originality	The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
50.00	Selective Attention	The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Biologists

Work Activities

%	Subject	Description
88.25	Documenting/Recording Information	Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
86.00	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
85.50	Analyzing Data or Information	Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
84.00	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
83.75	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
81.00	Getting Information	Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
80.00	Processing Information	Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
73.75	Interacting With Computers	Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
71.25	Thinking Creatively	Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
69.00	Communicating with Persons Outside Organization	Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
68.00	Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
67.50	Making Decisions and Solving Problems	Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
67.25	Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others	Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
66.00	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
61.25	Developing Objectives and Strategies	Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
59.25	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
59.25	Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information	Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
54.50	Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People	Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
52.50	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards	Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
50.25	Scheduling Work and Activities	Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Biologists

Work Styles

%	Subject	Description
99.00	Attention to Detail	Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
93.75	Integrity	Job requires being honest and ethical.
86.75	Analytical Thinking	Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
83.25	Dependability	Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
81.75	Initiative	Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
79.25	Stress Tolerance	Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
77.75	Independence	Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
77.75	Persistence	Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
76.25	Achievement/Effort	Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
76.25	Adaptability/Flexibility	Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
74.25	Cooperation	Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
73.50	Self Control	Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
71.50	Innovation	Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
70.75	Leadership	Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
57.75	Concern for Others	Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Biologists

Work Values

%	Subject	Description
77.83	Achievement	Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
72.17	Recognition	Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
61.17	Independence	Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
55.50	Working Conditions	Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
55.50	Relationships	Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Biologists

Work Context

%	Subject	Description
100.00	Electronic Mail	How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
98.00	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled	How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
97.40	Face-to-Face Discussions	How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
96.60	Telephone	How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
89.40	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate	How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
89.20	Contact With Others	How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
84.20	Work With Work Group or Team	How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
83.60	Freedom to Make Decisions	How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
83.40	Structured versus Unstructured Work	To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
79.80	Time Pressure	How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
77.00	Coordinate or Lead Others	How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
74.20	Spend Time Sitting	How much does this job require sitting?
72.40	Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets	How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
71.60	Letters and Memos	How often does the job require written letters and memos?
69.40	Level of Competition	To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
66.00	Importance of Repeating Same Tasks	How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
65.80	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results	How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
63.40	Frequency of Decision Making	How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
63.00	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results	What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
59.80	Exposed to Hazardous Conditions	How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
59.60	Consequence of Error	How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
57.60	Responsible for Others' Health and Safety	How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
57.00	Public Speaking	How often do you have to perform public speaking in this job?
55.80	Deal With External Customers	How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
54.00	Physical Proximity	To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
52.20	Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions	How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
52.00	Frequency of Conflict Situations	How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
50.80	Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable	How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
50.40	Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls	How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
50.20	Spend Time Standing	How much does this job require standing?

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Biologists

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

• Overall Experience
  • Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
• Job Training
  • Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
• Examples
  • These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include librarians, lawyers, sports medicine physicians, wildlife biologists, school psychologists, surgeons, treasurers, and controllers.
• Education
  • Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Biologists

Earnings Benefits*

Region	Entry Level	Median	Experienced
United States	$41,030.00	$71,940.00	$95,800.00
Virginia	No Data	No Data	No Data
Region	Entry Level	Median	Experienced
Bay Consortium	No Data	No Data	No Data
Capital Region Workforce Partnership	No Data	No Data	No Data
Central VA/Region2000	No Data	No Data	No Data
Crater Area	No Data	No Data	No Data
Greater Peninsula	No Data	No Data	No Data
Hampton Roads	No Data	No Data	No Data
New River/Mt. Rogers	No Data	No Data	No Data
Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington	No Data	No Data	No Data
Piedmont Workforce	No Data	No Data	No Data
Shenandoah Valley	No Data	No Data	No Data
South Central	No Data	No Data	No Data
Southwestern Virginia	No Data	No Data	No Data
West Piedmont	No Data	No Data	No Data
Western Virginia	No Data	No Data	No Data

* Earnings Calculations:

 Regional Earnings:
   Entry = Annual mean of the lower 1/3 wage distribution;
   Experienced = Annual mean of the upper 2/3 wage distribution.

 National and State Earnings:
   Entry = Annual 10th percentile wage;
   Experienced = Annual 75th percentile wage.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.

Biologists

Employment Projections

National	2012	2022	% Change
United States	103,700	111,300	+ 7.3%
State	2012	2022	% Change
Virginia	No Data	No Data	No Data
Region	2012	2022	% Change
Bay Consortium	No Data	No Data	No Data
Capital Region Workforce Partnership	No Data	No Data	No Data
Central VA/Region2000	No Data	No Data	No Data
Crater Area	No Data	No Data	No Data
Greater Peninsula	No Data	No Data	No Data
Hampton Roads	No Data	No Data	No Data
New River/Mt. Rogers	No Data	No Data	No Data
Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington	No Data	No Data	No Data
Piedmont Workforce	No Data	No Data	No Data
Shenandoah Valley	No Data	No Data	No Data
South Central	No Data	No Data	No Data
Southwestern Virginia	No Data	No Data	No Data
West Piedmont	No Data	No Data	No Data
Western Virginia	No Data	No Data	No Data

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.

Biologists

Related Occupations

Related Occupations

• Soil and Plant Scientists
• Biochemists and Biophysicists
• Microbiologists
• Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
• Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

 

Careers in Biotechnology Research and Development Pathway:

• Clinical Research Coordinators
• Clinical Data Managers
• Mathematical Technicians
• Biomedical Engineers
• Biologists
• Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
• Medical Equipment Preparers

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Biologists

View Videos

The following videos are available for this occupation:

• Health Science (7.03 Mb)
• Biologists (4.07 Mb)



Macromedia Flash is required for viewing the videos. If you do not have the Flash plugin, it is freely available for download.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee.

Biologists

Proficiency Ratings

These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.

Proficiency	Rating
Documenting/Recording Information	4.5
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	4.5
Analyzing Data or Information	4.5
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	4.5
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	4.5
Getting Information	4.0
Processing Information	4.0
Interacting With Computers	4.0
Thinking Creatively	4.0
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization	4.0
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	3.5
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	3.5
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others	3.5
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	3.5
Developing Objectives and Strategies	3.5
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	3.5
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information	3.5
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People	3.0
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards	3.0
Scheduling Work and Activities	3.0
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others	3.0
Training and Teaching Others	3.0
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material	3.0
Monitoring and Controlling Resources	3.0
Performing General Physical Activities	2.5
Performing Administrative Activities	2.5
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates	2.5
Handling and Moving Objects	2.5
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others	2.5
Developing and Building Teams	2.5
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment	2.5
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others	2.5
Coaching and Developing Others	2.5
Selling or Influencing Others	2.5
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public	2.0
Staffing Organizational Units	2.0
Controlling Machines and Processes	2.0
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment	2.0
Assisting and Caring for Others	2.0
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment	2.0
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment	1.5

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Biologists

Titles

• Aquatic Biologist
• Aquatic Scientist
• Assistant Scientist
• Bioinformatics Specialist
• Biological Scientist
• Biologist
• Botanist
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist
• Clinical Researcher
• Community Ecologist
• Cytologist
• Director of Cell Biology
• Dolphin Researcher
• Ecology Biologist
• Endangered Species Project Manager
• Environmental Analyst
• Environmental Scientist
• Environmental Specialist
• Fish Culture Supervisor
• Fish Culture Technician
• Fisheries Biologist
• Genetic Engineer
• Marine Biologist
• Marine Scientist
• Molecular Biologist
• Mycologist
• Nematologist
• Neurobiologist
• Neurophysiologist
• Ocean Biologist
• Physiologist
• Plant Ecologist
• Rare/Endangered Species Specialist
• Research Analyst
• Research Associate
• Research Biologist
• Research Fisheries Biologist
• Research Scientist
• Scientist
• Wildlife Biologist

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Biologists

Related Schools

There are no Related Schools at this time.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.