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.
Learning3
Research aspects of heredity
+Compile literature and experimental designs to map inheritance of the resistance plasmid in our E. coli…
Research aspects of heredity
+Compile literature and experimental designs to map inheritance of the resistance plasmid in our E. coli isolates, align sequence reads to reference, annotate variants, and summarise implications for vertical transmission in a two-page brief for the PI by next Tuesday.
The tools that do the workPythonESCOjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Supervise research projects
+Review current lab projects, check protocols, personnel training and budgets, reprioritise two experiments…
Supervise research projects
+Review current lab projects, check protocols, personnel training and budgets, reprioritise two experiments for Q3, assign Dr. Khan to supervise the CRISPR assay, and send updated responsibilities and deadlines to the team by Friday noon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Publish research findings
+Submit the manuscript with figures, sequence data files, and accession numbers to Nature Genetics, list…
Publish research findings
+Submit the manuscript with figures, sequence data files, and accession numbers to Nature Genetics, list coauthors and corresponding author, request peer review transfer if rejected, and confirm final proofs with the lab manager by next Tuesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordGitHubjob descriptionsO*NET
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Analysing2
Perform genetic testing
+Run the clinical-grade PCR panel on patient samples 102–110, validate calls against controls, prepare QC…
Perform genetic testing
+Run the clinical-grade PCR panel on patient samples 102–110, validate calls against controls, prepare QC report with Ct values and interpretation, and upload confirmed results to the lab record before the 4pm shift handover.
The tools that do the workLinuxESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Interpret genetic data
+Take the exome variant list from last run, filter for rare pathogenic calls, cross-reference ClinVar and our…
Interpret genetic data
+Take the exome variant list from last run, filter for rare pathogenic calls, cross-reference ClinVar and our in-house database, write a clinical interpretation for the three top candidates, and send to Dr. Rivera for sign-off by Monday morning.
The tools that do the workPythonjob descriptionsWikipedia
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The daily work14
Maintain laboratory notebooks that record research methods, procedures, and results.
+Update the lab notebook entry for the CRISPR experiments from last week: describe the protocols used, reagent…
Maintain laboratory notebooks that record research methods, procedures, and results.
+Update the lab notebook entry for the CRISPR experiments from last week: describe the protocols used, reagent lot numbers and concentrations, instrument settings, unexpected observations, and attach the gel and sequencing result images before I close the entry tonight.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Write grants and papers or attend fundraising events to seek research funds.
+Draft the NIH grant section describing our preliminary data and experimental plan for the zebrafish…
Write grants and papers or attend fundraising events to seek research funds.
+Draft the NIH grant section describing our preliminary data and experimental plan for the zebrafish developmental genetics proposal, include aims, timelines, budget justification for sequencing and personnel, and produce a short slide pack for next Wednesday's donor meeting.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft PowerPointO*NET
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Extract deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or perform diagnostic tests involving processes such as gel electrophoresis, Southern blot analysis, and polymerase chain reaction analysis.
+Prepare the protocol worksheet and sample log for this morning's DNA extractions and PCR runs: list sample…
Extract deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or perform diagnostic tests involving processes such as gel electrophoresis, Southern blot analysis, and polymerase chain reaction analysis.
+Prepare the protocol worksheet and sample log for this morning's DNA extractions and PCR runs: list sample IDs, extraction kit lot numbers, volumes, thermocycler programs, expected amplicon sizes, and label the resulting gels for imaging and archiving.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Design sampling plans or coordinate the field collection of samples such as tissue specimens.
+Create the sampling plan and field checklist for next Tuesday's tissue collection from the coastal salamander…
Design sampling plans or coordinate the field collection of samples such as tissue specimens.
+Create the sampling plan and field checklist for next Tuesday's tissue collection from the coastal salamander sites: specify target numbers per site, sterile collection tubes and preservative volumes, GPS coordinates, chain-of-custody labels, and contact details for the field techs.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Participate in the development of endangered species breeding programs or species survival plans.
+Write the breeding program update for the species survival committee: summarise pairings, genotypes, litter…
Participate in the development of endangered species breeding programs or species survival plans.
+Write the breeding program update for the species survival committee: summarise pairings, genotypes, litter outcomes, inbreeding coefficients, recommended pair changes for the next quarter, and attach pedigree charts and husbandry notes.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Conduct family medical studies
+Compile the family study report for the clinic meeting: consolidate pedigrees, phenotype summaries,…
Conduct family medical studies
+Compile the family study report for the clinic meeting: consolidate pedigrees, phenotype summaries, segregation analysis, consent forms status, recommended follow-up tests, and a one-page summary I can hand to the genetic counselor on Thursday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Examine patients and collect health data
+Examine each patient in clinic today, take a focused family and personal health history, measure vital signs…
Examine patients and collect health data
+Examine each patient in clinic today, take a focused family and personal health history, measure vital signs and collect blood and saliva samples labeled with patient name and DOB, then upload de-identified findings to the study database by 5pm.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Teach at university level
+Prepare a two-hour seminar for Thursday explaining the latest CRISPR screening data, include clear learning…
Teach at university level
+Prepare a two-hour seminar for Thursday explaining the latest CRISPR screening data, include clear learning objectives, three clinical case examples, and a one-page handout of take-home messages for the graduate students.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Support patients and families emotionally
+Call the Rivera family this afternoon, acknowledge their anxieties about the test results, explain the likely…
Support patients and families emotionally
+Call the Rivera family this afternoon, acknowledge their anxieties about the test results, explain the likely interpretations in plain language, offer counseling resources, and schedule a follow-up clinic visit within two weeks.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Study genetics, heredity, and variation of organisms
+Design a three-month study to map inheritance patterns for the new locus: state hypotheses, select cohorts,…
Study genetics, heredity, and variation of organisms
+Design a three-month study to map inheritance patterns for the new locus: state hypotheses, select cohorts, list assays and expected variant types, and submit the protocol and power calculation to the lab director by Monday.
The tools that do the workPythonMicrosoft WordWikipedia
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Conduct experiments in model organisms
+Set up the fly and mouse crosses this week according to the outlined genotypes, record mating dates, tag…
Conduct experiments in model organisms
+Set up the fly and mouse crosses this week according to the outlined genotypes, record mating dates, tag cages, plan sample collection at specified developmental stages, and log any deviations in the lab notebook.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelWikipedia
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Perform scientific research
+Design and run the next experiment testing the CRISPR guide efficiency across ten cell lines, randomise…
Perform scientific research
+Design and run the next experiment testing the CRISPR guide efficiency across ten cell lines, randomise treatment groups, record raw sequencing reads and metadata, then analyse differential edit rates and compile a manuscript-ready results section by next Tuesday.
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Perform laboratory tests
+Prepare and execute the PCR, restriction digest and gel assays to genotype the 120 samples received today,…
Perform laboratory tests
+Prepare and execute the PCR, restriction digest and gel assays to genotype the 120 samples received today, include controls and duplicates, log reagents and lot numbers, photograph gels, call genotypes, and upload results to the lab database before the end of the day.
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Scientific research methodology
+Draft the methods and analysis plan for a blinded, power-calculated study comparing two knockout constructs,…
Scientific research methodology
+Draft the methods and analysis plan for a blinded, power-calculated study comparing two knockout constructs, specify sample sizes, randomisation, QC thresholds, primary endpoints and statistical tests, then circulate to the PI and statistician by Thursday for approval.
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Says who?
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses