Role Description

Scientific > Biologist

Salary National Average

Low Medium High
64340.0000 77610.0000 98590.0000

Supply and Demand

Candidate Supply: 1,937 Job Openings: 523

0 50 100

More Difficult Less Difficult

Salary Variance

Enter City, State to view local salaries and candidate demand.

Short Description:

A Biologist studies living organisms and their interactions with the environment, conducting research to understand biological processes, behavior, and ecosystems. Their duties include designing and performing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and publishing research findings to advance knowledge in fields such as ecology, genetics, or microbiology. Biologists may work in laboratories or in the field, collaborating with other scientists or organizations to address issues like conservation, public health, or biotechnology development. Strong analytical, observational, and problem-solving skills are essential for success in this role, as Biologists contribute to scientific understanding and practical applications in areas like medicine, agriculture, and environmental protection.

Duties / Responsibilities:

  • Prepare technical and research reports, such as environmental impact reports, and communicate the results to individuals in industry, government, or the general public.
  • Develop and maintain liaisons and effective working relations with groups and individuals, agencies, and the public to encourage cooperative management strategies or to develop information and interpret findings.
  • Collect and analyze biological data about relationships among and between organisms and their environment.
  • Program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data.
  • Supervise biological technicians and technologists and other scientists.
  • Identify, classify, and study structure, behavior, ecology, physiology, nutrition, culture, and distribution of plant and animal species.
  • Communicate test results to state and federal representatives and general public.
  • Prepare requests for proposals or statements of work.
  • Represent employer in a technical capacity at conferences.
  • Study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and function.

Skills / Requirements / Qualifications

  • Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Writing; Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making..
  • Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
  • Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Job Zones

  • Title:  Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
  • Education:  Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
  • Related Experience:  Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
  • Job Training:  Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
  • Job Zone Examples:  These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, neurologists, and veterinarians.
  • Specific Vocational Preparation in years: (8.0 and above)

Similar Positions

Share Role Details

Return to job listings