What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Biological Scientists, All Other in the U.S. earn more than $98,920 a year — the middle 80% land between $60,430 and $168,010. About 55,850 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Biological Scientists, All Other”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$98,920typical pay / year
55,850people in this work
$168,010+top 10% earn
₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Analysing4
Perform tests and experiments
+Run the calcium imaging protocol on the hippocampal cultures, record time-lapse behavior for three hours, log…
Perform tests and experiments
+Run the calcium imaging protocol on the hippocampal cultures, record time-lapse behavior for three hours, log media changes and temperature, and hand the raw videos and the experimental log to Dr. Kim by Friday morning.
The tools that do the workLinuxESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Observe organism behaviors and habitats
+Spend tomorrow morning at Site B observing the tadpole enclosures, note feeding times, substrate and light…
Observe organism behaviors and habitats
+Spend tomorrow morning at Site B observing the tadpole enclosures, note feeding times, substrate and light conditions, and record any abnormal locomotor patterns with timestamps, then summarise habitat notes for the ecology team meeting on Friday.
The tools that do the workESRI ArcGISjob descriptionsO*NET
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Collect samples and measurements
+Collect cell culture samples from wells A1 to A24, record live/dead counts, OCR readings, and media pH at…
Collect samples and measurements
+Collect cell culture samples from wells A1 to A24, record live/dead counts, OCR readings, and media pH at 09:00, label tubes with sample IDs, freeze aliquots at −80°C, and upload the raw measurements and timestamps to the project data file before leaving the lab today.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Conduct research in biology
+Design and run the experiment testing kinase inhibitor concentrations on HeLa cells for 48 hours, randomise…
Conduct research in biology
+Design and run the experiment testing kinase inhibitor concentrations on HeLa cells for 48 hours, randomise treatment positions across two plates, record incubation conditions and timepoints, collect endpoint lysates, and draft the methods and expected results section for the paper this week.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsWikipedia
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Keeping the record1
Prepare research reports and presentations
+Complete the methods and results sections with the latest western blot and cell viability graphs, format the…
Prepare research reports and presentations
+Complete the methods and results sections with the latest western blot and cell viability graphs, format the slides into a 12-slide talk with clear takeaways, and circulate the draft presentation to Dr. Singh and the lab group before Wednesday's seminar.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointAdobe Photoshopjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work21
Program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data.
+Ingest the raw imaging and plate reader output, annotate samples with experiment IDs and conditions, run the…
Program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data.
+Ingest the raw imaging and plate reader output, annotate samples with experiment IDs and conditions, run the preprocessing pipeline to normalize and filter the data, then generate the cleaned dataset and a short methods log for the lab drive by close of day Friday.
The tools that do the workLinuxO*NET
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Supervise biological technicians and technologists and other scientists.
+Draft the weekly supervision memo summarising technician workloads, outstanding assays, training needs, and…
Supervise biological technicians and technologists and other scientists.
+Draft the weekly supervision memo summarising technician workloads, outstanding assays, training needs, and reagent bottlenecks, assign owners and deadlines, and circulate to Maria in operations and Dr. Chen by Tuesday morning for alignment before the lab meeting.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Write grant proposals to obtain funding for biological research.
+Assemble the proposal package for the mitochondrial dynamics project: write specific aims and significance,…
Write grant proposals to obtain funding for biological research.
+Assemble the proposal package for the mitochondrial dynamics project: write specific aims and significance, attach preliminary data figures, budget justification, collaborator letters, and submit a complete PDF to the grants office three days before the agency deadline.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Prepare requests for proposals or statements of work.
+Write the statement of work for the cell culture assay contract: define objectives, deliverables with…
Prepare requests for proposals or statements of work.
+Write the statement of work for the cell culture assay contract: define objectives, deliverables with acceptance criteria, timeline with milestone dates, required lab safety compliance, and payment schedule, then send to procurement and legal for review this Thursday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Represent employer in a technical capacity at conferences.
+Prepare the conference technical brief: a two‑page summary of methods, key results with one figure, speaker…
Represent employer in a technical capacity at conferences.
+Prepare the conference technical brief: a two‑page summary of methods, key results with one figure, speaker biography, and AV requirements, then upload the PDF and send to the program chair and our communications lead by next Monday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointO*NET
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Prepare plans for management of renewable resources.
+Draft the management plan for our campus green roof pilot: outline monitoring objectives, sampling frequency,…
Prepare plans for management of renewable resources.
+Draft the management plan for our campus green roof pilot: outline monitoring objectives, sampling frequency, species lists, restoration thresholds, responsible staff, and a ten‑year adaptive management schedule, then circulate to facilities and the sustainability office.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Measure salinity, acidity, light, oxygen content, and other physical conditions of water to determine their relationship to aquatic life.
+Measure salinity, pH, light intensity and dissolved oxygen at the five shoreline stations this morning, log…
Measure salinity, acidity, light, oxygen content, and other physical conditions of water to determine their relationship to aquatic life.
+Measure salinity, pH, light intensity and dissolved oxygen at the five shoreline stations this morning, log instrument calibrations, attach the raw sensor files and brief notes on weather and tide, and flag samples needing lab titration.
The tools that do the workLinuxO*NET
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Develop pest management and control measures, and conduct risk assessments related to pest exclusion, using scientific methods.
+Design and run the pest exclusion risk assessment: map infestation points, list control options tested,…
Develop pest management and control measures, and conduct risk assessments related to pest exclusion, using scientific methods.
+Design and run the pest exclusion risk assessment: map infestation points, list control options tested, record treatment doses and outcomes, and prepare a short risk matrix with recommended next steps for the greenhouse manager.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Analyze research data
+Clean and combine the experiment CSVs, run the planned statistical comparisons on growth and viability, plot…
Analyze research data
+Clean and combine the experiment CSVs, run the planned statistical comparisons on growth and viability, plot the key results with confidence intervals, and produce a one-page summary of methods and findings for the PI.
The tools that do the workIBM SPSS Statisticsjob descriptions
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Maintain detailed records of observations
+Enter today's microscopy observations into the project log: sample IDs, cell counts, morphological notes,…
Maintain detailed records of observations
+Enter today's microscopy observations into the project log: sample IDs, cell counts, morphological notes, staining quality, and attach the images and instrument settings so the lab team can reproduce the runs.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Tag and track animal movements
+Tag the three captured animals, record tag IDs, sex, weight, GPS release point and time, then upload the…
Tag and track animal movements
+Tag the three captured animals, record tag IDs, sex, weight, GPS release point and time, then upload the movement log and initial location fixes so the tracking team can set remote download windows.
The tools that do the workESRI ArcGISjob descriptions
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Investigate environmental impacts of species
+Assess the species' environmental impacts by compiling recent distribution records, comparing habitat metrics…
Investigate environmental impacts of species
+Assess the species' environmental impacts by compiling recent distribution records, comparing habitat metrics to reference sites, summarise observed impacts on native communities, and draft management recommendations for the conservation board.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Use laboratory equipment to develop or improve chemical-based products
+Scale up the lead formulation assay using the benchtop reactor, document each batch's reagent weights, pH…
Use laboratory equipment to develop or improve chemical-based products
+Scale up the lead formulation assay using the benchtop reactor, document each batch's reagent weights, pH adjustments, temperature ramp, and yield, then flag any runs with lower than 85 percent recovery for follow-up tomorrow morning.
The tools that do the workLinuxESCO
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Compile reports
+Assemble the weekly development report: summarise three assay results with mean and SD, attach the raw run…
Compile reports
+Assemble the weekly development report: summarise three assay results with mean and SD, attach the raw run sheets and chromatograms, note deviations from the protocol, and send the PDF to Dr. Alvarez and R&D head by 5pm Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Maintain laboratory stock
+Recount current reagent stocks against the inventory list, record lot numbers and expiries for antibodies and…
Maintain laboratory stock
+Recount current reagent stocks against the inventory list, record lot numbers and expiries for antibodies and enzymes, place orders for items under two weeks' supply, and notify procurement and the lab manager of any backorders today.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Operate scientific equipment
+Run the cell sorter on the prepared spleen sample, record voltages and gate settings, collect 50,000 viable…
Operate scientific equipment
+Run the cell sorter on the prepared spleen sample, record voltages and gate settings, collect 50,000 viable lymphocyte events into sterile tubes, log any clogs or unusual fluorescence, and notify Jenna in flow cytometry if yield falls below 40%.
The tools that do the workLinuxjob descriptions
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Study life on Earth, including cells and organisms
+Design and run the time-course microscopy assay to track mitochondrial fission in HeLa cells over 24 hours,…
Study life on Earth, including cells and organisms
+Design and run the time-course microscopy assay to track mitochondrial fission in HeLa cells over 24 hours, capture images at 15-minute intervals, annotate treatments and well positions, and produce the raw image set plus a short methods note for the lab notebook.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordWikipedia
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Specialize in a particular branch of biology
+Set up the CRISPR knockout for the kinase family, prepare transfection mixes for three guide RNAs, plate…
Specialize in a particular branch of biology
+Set up the CRISPR knockout for the kinase family, prepare transfection mixes for three guide RNAs, plate controls and replicates, run PCR screening primers after 72 hours, and file sequencing samples for Emma in sequencing by next Tuesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelWikipedia
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Advance knowledge about the natural world
+Plan and execute the bacterial co-culture experiment to test nutrient exchange, measure OD600 and metabolite…
Advance knowledge about the natural world
+Plan and execute the bacterial co-culture experiment to test nutrient exchange, measure OD600 and metabolite panel at 0, 6, 12, 24 hours, compare to axenic controls, and prepare results and raw data for the weekly group meeting on Friday.
The tools that do the workIBM SPSS StatisticsWikipedia
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Develop applications such as in biotechnology
+Prototype the enzyme assay for the recombinant protein, optimize substrate concentration across five…
Develop applications such as in biotechnology
+Prototype the enzyme assay for the recombinant protein, optimize substrate concentration across five conditions, validate linear range, document protocol and QC results, then hand the validated assay to the development team by the end of the month.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelWikipedia
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Work in various sectors like academia, nonprofits, industry, or government
+Coordinate the grant-funded field sampling across academic and industry partners, assign sample IDs and…
Work in various sectors like academia, nonprofits, industry, or government
+Coordinate the grant-funded field sampling across academic and industry partners, assign sample IDs and cold-chain responsibilities, compile chain-of-custody sheets and deliver the aliquots to the central lab within 48 hours of collection.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordWikipedia
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses