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.
Learning2
Perform tests and experiments
+Run the planned computational assays for the drug target, record parameter settings and raw outputs, flag…
Perform tests and experiments
+Run the planned computational assays for the drug target, record parameter settings and raw outputs, flag failed runs with error logs, and deliver annotated result files and a short methods note to the lab head by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workPerlLinuxESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Conduct research in biology
+Design and run the next set of computational experiments on the candidate pathway, track experimental…
Conduct research in biology
+Design and run the next set of computational experiments on the candidate pathway, track experimental variables, analyse output for significance, and produce a one-page summary of implications and next steps for the PI by Friday.
The tools that do the workC++job descriptionsWikipedia
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Care1
Observe organism behaviors and habitats
+Deploy the field observation protocol: ingest GPS-tagged behavior logs, map occurrences by habitat type,…
Observe organism behaviors and habitats
+Deploy the field observation protocol: ingest GPS-tagged behavior logs, map occurrences by habitat type, produce a weekly occurrence heatmap and a short interpretation of behavioral patterns for the ecology team.
The tools that do the workESRI ArcGISMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Keeping the record1
Prepare research reports and presentations
+Compile the research manuscript figures and a ten-slide presentation: extract analysed data tables, create…
Prepare research reports and presentations
+Compile the research manuscript figures and a ten-slide presentation: extract analysed data tables, create publication-grade charts with captions, draft slide notes for each figure, and send the packet to Dr. Kim for review on Monday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Move1
Collect samples and measurements
+Collect the scheduled tissue and water samples, log sample IDs and collection conditions into the lab…
Collect samples and measurements
+Collect the scheduled tissue and water samples, log sample IDs and collection conditions into the lab inventory, record measurements with timestamps, and upload the validated spreadsheet to central storage before the end of the day.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Accessjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work21
Program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data.
+Ingest the sequencing runs and metadata, validate sample IDs and read quality, normalize formats, run the…
Program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data.
+Ingest the sequencing runs and metadata, validate sample IDs and read quality, normalize formats, run the alignment and variant-calling pipeline on the cluster, then produce a cleaned dataset and a one-page data dictionary for the lab by Tuesday.
The tools that do the workLinuxO*NET
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Supervise biological technicians and technologists and other scientists.
+Set the weekly lab rota, assign John and Priya to the wet‑lab shifts, schedule Sara for data QC, hold a…
Supervise biological technicians and technologists and other scientists.
+Set the weekly lab rota, assign John and Priya to the wet‑lab shifts, schedule Sara for data QC, hold a 30‑minute briefing tomorrow to review protocol deviations, and update the training tracker with any competency gaps by Friday noon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Write grant proposals to obtain funding for biological research.
+Draft the NIH RO1 research narrative: state the hypothesis, outline aims with experiments and computational…
Write grant proposals to obtain funding for biological research.
+Draft the NIH RO1 research narrative: state the hypothesis, outline aims with experiments and computational approaches, list preliminary data summaries and budget justification, and produce a 12‑page proposal draft for internal review by next Wednesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Prepare requests for proposals or statements of work.
+Compile the statement of work for the proteomics pipeline: define deliverables, acceptance criteria,…
Prepare requests for proposals or statements of work.
+Compile the statement of work for the proteomics pipeline: define deliverables, acceptance criteria, timelines, required compute and sample inputs, and list reporting cadence so the procurement and PI can review it by Monday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Represent employer in a technical capacity at conferences.
+Prepare my conference materials: a 12‑minute talk outline tied to the poster, three key slides with methods…
Represent employer in a technical capacity at conferences.
+Prepare my conference materials: a 12‑minute talk outline tied to the poster, three key slides with methods and results, and a one‑page summary for the session chair; have the final slide deck and poster ready two days before the conference.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointO*NET
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Prepare plans for management of renewable resources.
+Draft a five‑year management plan for the coastal restoration project: map priority habitats, set monitoring…
Prepare plans for management of renewable resources.
+Draft a five‑year management plan for the coastal restoration project: map priority habitats, set monitoring metrics, outline sample collection frequency and lab processing workflow, and present projected staffing and budget for the steering committee next month.
The tools that do the workESRI ArcGISMicrosoft 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, dissolved oxygen and temperature at the three monitoring stations this…
Measure salinity, acidity, light, oxygen content, and other physical conditions of water to determine their relationship to aquatic life.
+Measure salinity, pH, light intensity, dissolved oxygen and temperature at the three monitoring stations this morning, log instrument IDs and calibration checks, attach raw CSVs and field notes, and flag any values outside expected ranges for review.
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.
+Run a pest risk assessment for the greenhouse: compile recent trap counts, species IDs, pesticide history and…
Develop pest management and control measures, and conduct risk assessments related to pest exclusion, using scientific methods.
+Run a pest risk assessment for the greenhouse: compile recent trap counts, species IDs, pesticide history and entry points, model spread under current controls, and produce recommended exclusion and control measures with estimated residual risk.
The tools that do the workIBM SPSS StatisticsO*NET
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Analyze research data
+Clean and merge the latest experimental datasets, perform the planned statistical tests and effect-size…
Analyze research data
+Clean and merge the latest experimental datasets, perform the planned statistical tests and effect-size estimates, generate diagnostic plots for each model, and write a one-page interpretation of results and next steps for the lab meeting.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelIBM SPSS Statisticsjob descriptions
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Maintain detailed records of observations
+Enter today's observation sheets into the master study database, record GPS coordinates, tag individual IDs,…
Maintain detailed records of observations
+Enter today's observation sheets into the master study database, record GPS coordinates, tag individual IDs, time-stamp behaviours, and save a backup export with change notes before I hand data to the analyst.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Accessjob descriptions
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Tag and track animal movements
+Prepare and schedule the capture session to fit the tracking plan: program tags with unique IDs, document…
Tag and track animal movements
+Prepare and schedule the capture session to fit the tracking plan: program tags with unique IDs, document attachment method and animal health checks, upload initial deployment locations and expected battery life, and notify the field team.
The tools that do the workC++job descriptions
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Investigate environmental impacts of species
+Assess the species' local environmental impacts by compiling land use, recent population trends, diet…
Investigate environmental impacts of species
+Assess the species' local environmental impacts by compiling land use, recent population trends, diet analysis and disturbance records, run spatial overlap and impact models, and draft management implications for the conservation officer.
The tools that do the workESRI ArcGISjob descriptions
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Use laboratory equipment to develop or improve chemical-based products
+Develop and test the chemical formulation for the new enzyme stabiliser using bench spectrophotometry and…
Use laboratory equipment to develop or improve chemical-based products
+Develop and test the chemical formulation for the new enzyme stabiliser using bench spectrophotometry and titration, record conditions and yield, iterate concentrations to improve stability at 37°C, and prepare a lab notebook entry with raw data and conclusions.
The tools that do the workLinuxESCO
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Compile reports
+Compile the weekly assay report: pull raw instrument outputs, quality-control flags and replicate statistics,…
Compile reports
+Compile the weekly assay report: pull raw instrument outputs, quality-control flags and replicate statistics, write an executive summary of performance trends and proposed next steps, then export a single PDF lab report for the PI.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Maintain laboratory stock
+Audit current reagents and consumables on the bench, reconcile stock against last purchase sheet, flag items…
Maintain laboratory stock
+Audit current reagents and consumables on the bench, reconcile stock against last purchase sheet, flag items below reorder threshold, prepare a single purchase list with supplier, catalog number and required lead time for the lab manager.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Operate scientific equipment
+Calibrate the mass spectrometer, run the QC peptide mix, record instrument settings and run log, then process…
Operate scientific equipment
+Calibrate the mass spectrometer, run the QC peptide mix, record instrument settings and run log, then process the raw runs into peak lists and flag any runs with signal drop for a technician before noon tomorrow.
The tools that do the workLinuxjob descriptions
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Study life on Earth, including cells and organisms
+Assemble microscopy raw images, check metadata for sample IDs and exposure times, run the cell segmentation…
Study life on Earth, including cells and organisms
+Assemble microscopy raw images, check metadata for sample IDs and exposure times, run the cell segmentation script, and produce a table of cell counts and size distributions for the lab meeting on Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelLinuxWikipedia
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Specialize in a particular branch of biology
+Define the gene family I’m studying, pull the latest reference sequences, run the multiple alignment and…
Specialize in a particular branch of biology
+Define the gene family I’m studying, pull the latest reference sequences, run the multiple alignment and phylogeny, annotate conserved domains, and save a methods note with parameter settings for the manuscript draft due next Wednesday.
The tools that do the workPerlWikipedia
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Advance knowledge about the natural world
+Compile the experiment results from the plate reader, normalise fluorescence to the blank wells, perform the…
Advance knowledge about the natural world
+Compile the experiment results from the plate reader, normalise fluorescence to the blank wells, perform the statistical comparison between conditions, and write a one-page draft of the results paragraph for tomorrow’s group meeting.
The tools that do the workIBM SPSS StatisticsMicrosoft ExcelWikipedia
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Develop applications such as in biotechnology
+Design the prototype pipeline to convert raw sequencing data into annotated variants, list required modules…
Develop applications such as in biotechnology
+Design the prototype pipeline to convert raw sequencing data into annotated variants, list required modules and compute needs, run a test sample to confirm runtimes, and hand the notes to engineering by Friday afternoon.
The tools that do the workC++LinuxWikipedia
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Work in various sectors like academia, nonprofits, industry, or government
+Prepare the grant costing spreadsheet for the new collaborative project, allocate personnel and consumables…
Work in various sectors like academia, nonprofits, industry, or government
+Prepare the grant costing spreadsheet for the new collaborative project, allocate personnel and consumables by quarter, check the totals against institutional caps, and circulate it to Maria in finance and Professor Lee by Monday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelWikipedia
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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