There are many exciting careers for biology majors. It is best to investigate these possible careers to see which one is right for you. There are many differences between biology careers, including individual interests, salary, type of education and years of education.
People vs. Technology
In the health care field, you can work with people or technology. If you enjoy working with people, these following health care careers are probably best suited for you.
1. Dentist
2. Dental Hygienist
3. Family Medicine
4. Genetic Counselor
5. Internist
6. Nurse Practitioner
7. Nursing-RN/BS
8. Occupational Therapist
9. Optometrist
10. Pediatrician
11. Pharmacist
12. Physical Therapist
13. Speech Pathologist
14. Veterinarian
If you enjoy working more with biotechnology, these following health care careers are probably best suited for you.
1. Biostatistician
2. Geneticist
3. Medical Office Manager
4. Medical Technologist
5. Radiologist
6. Research Scientist
7. Surgeon
Years of Education
The wide variety of health care careers require different amount of years of education after college.
1-2 Years after College
1. Dental hygienist
2. Genetic Counselor
3. Medical Technologist
4. Nursing – BS/RN
5. Occupational Therapist
6. Physical Therapist
7. Speech Pathologist
3-4 Years after College
1. Biostatistician
2. Dentist
3. Geneticist
4. Nurse Practitioner
5. Optometrist
6. Pharmacist
7. Research Scientist
8. Veterinarian
> 4 Years after College
Most of these careers involve specialties in medicine. Listed below are a few examples:
1. Family Medicine
2. Internist
3. Oncologist
4. Pediatrician
5. Radiologist
6. Surgeon
Salary
Below is an approximate salary and brief description of the different health careers. Please note that the salaries listed below are only approximations and are different according to location, demand, etc..
Nurse (RN/BSN) – $50,000
Nurses care for the ill and injured. They also educate patients about preventative health care. There are many areas and specialties of nursing including surgical, OB/GYN, psychiatric, and pediatric nursing. Nurses work in hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. It is a great career choice for someone who gets joy from helping others.
Dental Hygienist – $55,000
Dental hygienists help patients treat and prevent oral diseases. Dental hygienists work closely with dentists in a dental office. Some responsibilities of a dental hygienist include initial screening examination and charting, working with X-rays, cleaning the teeth of the patient, and applies preventive agents to teeth such as fluoride.
Speech Pathologist – $55,000
Speech pathologist work with patients with disorders related to speech. They may also work with patients who have swallowing disorders. Speech pathologists work in a variety of backgrounds and help patients of all ages.
Occupational Therapist – $60,000
Occupational therapists help people facing physical, cognitive, or mental health challenges to be able to function in the home, school, or their occupation. Occupational therapists help patients with basic care skills and other skills required to function in society. Occupational therapists work in a variety of backgrounds and help patients of all ages.
Physical Therapist – $63, 000
Physical therapists help people who have physical problems from an injury or physical illness. They help patients regain strength and endurance, assess joint movement, and help patients to be able to perform the tasks of daily living. Physical therapists may work in hospitals, private offices, health centers, sports rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes. Physical therapists work with people in all stages of life.
Nurse Practitioner – $70,000
Nurse practitioners give general health care and treatment to patients. They usually work under the supervision of a doctor or work independently depending on state laws. Some of the responsibilities of nurse practitioners include ordering and reviewing diagnostic testing, prescribing medications, assessing physical health and reviewing it with other health professionals, and educating patients about preventative health measures. They work in a variety of settings and with patients of all areas.
Veterinarian – $70,000
Veterinarians care for animal health. They treat animals for a variety of health conditions and also practice preventative health. Veterinarians can specialize in many different types of areas including small animals, avian, and pathology.
Physician’s Assistant – $70,000
Physician’s assistants treat patients under the supervision of physicians. Physician’s assistants assess patient’s health, order and interpret lab tests, and make diagnoses. They can also treat minor injuries, assist in surgeries, and prescribe medications. Most PAs work in primary care specialties and surgery. PAs work in a variety of places including hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics.
Optometrist – $90,000
Optometrists diagnose and treat disorders of the eye. They prescribe visions aides, such as eyeglasses and contact lenses, and vision therapy. Optometrists are able to prescribe medicine to treat eye diseases and perform surgical procedures. Most optometrists work in private offices.
Pharmacist – $95,000
Pharmacists dispense medication to patients and also educate patients and other health professionals about the use of medications. Pharmacists work in a wide range of areas including hospitals, retail stores with pharmacies, and private pharmacies.
Dentist – $130,000
Dentists diagnose and treat diseases of the mouth, teeth, and gums. Dentists do procedures, such as filling cavities, perform surgeries, and prescribe medications. They also dispense preventative treatments such as teeth cleaning and fluoride treatment. Dentists can specialize in many areas such as orthodontics and surgery. Dentists usually work in private practice.
Physician – $145,000
Physicians diagnose and treat diseases of the human body. Physicians can perform many procedures, perform surgeries, and prescribe medications according to their training and specialty. Physicians can work in many areas such as OB/GYN, neurology, gastroenterology, psychiatry, surgery, and emergency medicine. Physicians work in private practice and in hospitals.
