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.
Analysing2
Perform tests and experiments
+Run the seawater toxicity assays and enzyme activity trials this week, record raw instrument outputs and…
Perform tests and experiments
+Run the seawater toxicity assays and enzyme activity trials this week, record raw instrument outputs and reagent lots, flag any outliers, and draft a concise results table with methods and uncertainty estimates by Thursday for the lab PI to review.
The tools that do the workIBM SPSS StatisticsESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Observe organism behaviors and habitats
+Spend the morning at the intertidal site documenting reef fish interactions and substrate use, log GPS-linked…
Observe organism behaviors and habitats
+Spend the morning at the intertidal site documenting reef fish interactions and substrate use, log GPS-linked timestamps and water conditions, transcribe the observational notes into habitat categories, and highlight any novel behaviours for the field team by end of day.
The tools that do the workESRI ArcGISjob descriptionsO*NET
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Keeping the record1
Prepare research reports and presentations
+Compile the experiment methods, statistical results and three key figures into a 10-slide presentation and a…
Prepare research reports and presentations
+Compile the experiment methods, statistical results and three key figures into a 10-slide presentation and a four-page report summary, proofread for clarity, then send both to Dr. Morales and the outreach officer with slides timed for a 12-minute talk on Monday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Fixing1
Collect samples and measurements
+Collect water, sediment and plankton samples along the transect at 100m intervals, measure salinity,…
Collect samples and measurements
+Collect water, sediment and plankton samples along the transect at 100m intervals, measure salinity, temperature and turbidity on site, label vials with site and depth, and deliver chilled samples to the wet lab before 1600 for processing.
The tools that do the workLinuxjob descriptionsO*NET
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Learning1
Conduct research in biology
+Design and run the controlled growth experiment comparing larval survival under three salinity regimes,…
Conduct research in biology
+Design and run the controlled growth experiment comparing larval survival under three salinity regimes, randomize tanks, log daily mortality and water chemistry, analyse survival curves and prepare a methods-and-results draft for the grant update in ten days.
The tools that do the workIBM SPSS Statisticsjob descriptionsWikipedia
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The daily work21
Program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data.
+Ingest the latest cruise CTD and plankton tow tables, standardize variable names and units, run the scripted…
Program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data.
+Ingest the latest cruise CTD and plankton tow tables, standardize variable names and units, run the scripted quality checks, compute summary statistics and trend plots, then save a cleaned dataset ready for analysis and archival.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelLinuxO*NET
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Supervise biological technicians and technologists and other scientists.
+Schedule weekly lab briefings, assign the technicians their assay batches for the month, review the pending…
Supervise biological technicians and technologists and other scientists.
+Schedule weekly lab briefings, assign the technicians their assay batches for the month, review the pending sample backlog and compliance issues, and draft the email to the team and the department head outlining corrective actions by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OfficeO*NET
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Write grant proposals to obtain funding for biological research.
+Assemble the draft research narrative, list objectives, preliminary methods and budget lines for the kelp…
Write grant proposals to obtain funding for biological research.
+Assemble the draft research narrative, list objectives, preliminary methods and budget lines for the kelp restoration grant, include preliminary pilot data figures and a one‑page justification of broader impact, then generate a submission-ready PDF for internal review.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Prepare requests for proposals or statements of work.
+Draft the statement of work describing the sampling design, deliverables, QA/QC standards, schedule and…
Prepare requests for proposals or statements of work.
+Draft the statement of work describing the sampling design, deliverables, QA/QC standards, schedule and acceptance criteria for the benthic survey contract, then produce a one‑page evaluation matrix for bidder scoring.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Represent employer in a technical capacity at conferences.
+Prepare the conference technical brief: one 12‑minute talk outline, two slides with methods and key results,…
Represent employer in a technical capacity at conferences.
+Prepare the conference technical brief: one 12‑minute talk outline, two slides with methods and key results, a one‑page takeaway for the program chair, and an equipment list for the poster session, then submit abstracts by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointO*NET
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Prepare plans for management of renewable resources.
+Draft the coastal fisheries management plan that sets sustainable harvest limits, monitoring indicators,…
Prepare plans for management of renewable resources.
+Draft the coastal fisheries management plan that sets sustainable harvest limits, monitoring indicators, adaptive triggers and stakeholder engagement milestones, include maps of proposed zones and an implementation timeline for the next five years.
The tools that do the workESRI ArcGISMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Measure salinity, acidity, light, oxygen content, and other physical conditions of water to determine their relationship to aquatic life.
+Collect water at the marked transects, measure salinity, pH, light attenuation, and dissolved oxygen at…
Measure salinity, acidity, light, oxygen content, and other physical conditions of water to determine their relationship to aquatic life.
+Collect water at the marked transects, measure salinity, pH, light attenuation, and dissolved oxygen at surface and 1m intervals, record instrument calibration notes, then produce a data file and summary of conditions versus observed species at each station.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Develop pest management and control measures, and conduct risk assessments related to pest exclusion, using scientific methods.
+Survey the marina and intake structures, inspect exclusion points, run risk scoring for pest entry and…
Develop pest management and control measures, and conduct risk assessments related to pest exclusion, using scientific methods.
+Survey the marina and intake structures, inspect exclusion points, run risk scoring for pest entry and establishment, list recommended controls with estimated costs and monitoring intervals, and compile a one-page risk memo for the permit manager.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Analyze research data
+Clean and combine the raw experimental tables, run descriptive stats and the predefined tests, flag outliers…
Analyze research data
+Clean and combine the raw experimental tables, run descriptive stats and the predefined tests, flag outliers and assumptions breaches, then write a results summary with figures and a recommendation on next experiments.
The tools that do the workIBM SPSS StatisticsMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Maintain detailed records of observations
+Enter daily field observations, specimen counts and sampling metadata into the project database template,…
Maintain detailed records of observations
+Enter daily field observations, specimen counts and sampling metadata into the project database template, attach time-stamped photos and sensor logs, and generate the weekly observation report for the PI.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Tag and track animal movements
+Deploy tags on the five adult fish, log tag IDs, capture location and biometrics, upload the tracking dataset…
Tag and track animal movements
+Deploy tags on the five adult fish, log tag IDs, capture location and biometrics, upload the tracking dataset and produce movement plots and a short note on any immediate abnormal behaviour for the telemetry lead.
The tools that do the workESRI ArcGISMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Investigate environmental impacts of species
+Collect baseline habitat data and species counts, compare current community structure to historical surveys,…
Investigate environmental impacts of species
+Collect baseline habitat data and species counts, compare current community structure to historical surveys, quantify changes and possible drivers, then write an impact brief with recommended mitigation actions for the conservation manager.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Use laboratory equipment to develop or improve chemical-based products
+Formulate, test and refine the surfactant blend using lab glassware and spectrophotometry to improve…
Use laboratory equipment to develop or improve chemical-based products
+Formulate, test and refine the surfactant blend using lab glassware and spectrophotometry to improve biodegradability and toxicity profile, record concentrations and protocol changes, then produce a draft methods-and-results section for peer review by Thursday.
The tools that do the workLinuxESCO
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Compile reports
+Compile the quarterly field and lab findings into a single technical report: synthesize sample results,…
Compile reports
+Compile the quarterly field and lab findings into a single technical report: synthesize sample results, combine method descriptions and QA notes, insert three key graphs that show trends in pollutant levels, and circulate to Dr. Hernandez and the lab director by next Monday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Maintain laboratory stock
+Audit chemical and consumable inventory on the bench and cold room, reconcile counts with the stock list,…
Maintain laboratory stock
+Audit chemical and consumable inventory on the bench and cold room, reconcile counts with the stock list, flag reagents below two weeks' supply, reorder sodium hypochlorite and certified solvents, and leave an updated inventory sheet for Rachel in the storeroom before Friday closing.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Operate scientific equipment
+Calibrate and run the CTD and plankton pump this morning, record salinity, temperature and chlorophyll…
Operate scientific equipment
+Calibrate and run the CTD and plankton pump this morning, record salinity, temperature and chlorophyll readings, collect three replicate water samples at 5, 15 and 30 meters, then label and refrigerate samples for transport to the lab by 4pm.
The tools that do the workLinuxjob descriptions
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Study life on Earth, including cells and organisms
+Design and execute a cell staining and microscopy session: prepare fixed tissue slides, apply DAPI and…
Study life on Earth, including cells and organisms
+Design and execute a cell staining and microscopy session: prepare fixed tissue slides, apply DAPI and phalloidin stains, image five representative fields per slide, save the images with specimen IDs and notes on magnification.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordWikipedia
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Specialize in a particular branch of biology
+Set up the larval rearing experiment focused on trophic specialization: assign three diet treatments to…
Specialize in a particular branch of biology
+Set up the larval rearing experiment focused on trophic specialization: assign three diet treatments to separate tanks, record initial counts and sizes, feed measured rations daily and log mortality and growth twice weekly.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelWikipedia
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Advance knowledge about the natural world
+Draft the methods and results for the biodiversity survey: enter species lists, abundance counts and sampling…
Advance knowledge about the natural world
+Draft the methods and results for the biodiversity survey: enter species lists, abundance counts and sampling effort, calculate diversity indices and prepare the figures for submission to the lab meeting next Tuesday.
The tools that do the workIBM SPSS StatisticsMicrosoft PowerPointWikipedia
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Develop applications such as in biotechnology
+Prototype a seawater enzyme assay for a biotech application: outline reaction conditions, run three…
Develop applications such as in biotechnology
+Prototype a seawater enzyme assay for a biotech application: outline reaction conditions, run three concentrations in triplicate, measure absorbance kinetics, and note any protocol changes that improve signal consistency.
The tools that do the workPerlWikipedia
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Work in various sectors like academia, nonprofits, industry, or government
+Compile the quarterly project report for the coastal monitoring contract: merge field logs, lab results and…
Work in various sectors like academia, nonprofits, industry, or government
+Compile the quarterly project report for the coastal monitoring contract: merge field logs, lab results and budget spend, highlight deviations from milestones and produce a one‑page summary for the program manager by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft 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