Top 9 Careers & Earnings Potential with a Biomedical Science Degree

Do you have an interest in biology but also a passion for medicine? If you're shaking your head yes, you may find that a biomedical career is right for you. Biomedicine combines both subject areas, enabling people in this field to enhance the wellness of humans and animals while also protecting the environment.

If this sounds appealing to you, the first step is earning your biomedical science degree. This degree program prepares students with the education and skillsets necessary to perform the required duties within this field. Here are a few of the top roles that you can fill with a biomedical science degree.

1. Biological Scientist

Biological scientists spend their days studying living organisms in an attempt to learn more about how they interact with (and exist within) their environments. Sometimes this research is conducted to simply expand knowledge in that area. Other times, its goal is to solve a specific problem.

EARNINGS POTENTIAL: The mean annual wage for a biological scientist is $89,910 per year.

2. Zoologist

A zoologist works with animals. This biomedical career involves studying the animals' behaviors, interaction patterns (both within and outside their species), natural habitats, diseases and health concerns, and more. The information collected can help with the development of programs designed to secure these animals' existence and/or improve their health.

EARNINGS POTENTIAL: The mean annual wage for a zoologist is $66,350.

3. Environmental Engineer

Engineers are needed in almost every field. So, you can take your biomedical science degree and work as an environmental engineer. A person in this role uses their education to help solve environmental problems. They can work in both urban and rural areas, either performing their duties within an office setting or by collecting data in the field.

EARNINGS POTENTIAL: The mean pay in this biomedical career is $92,120 yearly.

4. Genetic Counselor

While our lifestyle behaviors can have a huge impact on our health and wellness, our genes play a role as well. A genetic counselor works with patients and other medical professionals to help assess a person's disease risk. Someone in this position may also discuss testing options, highlighting each one's pros, cons, and limitations. This role generally requires a master's degree.

EARNINGS POTENTIAL: This position has a mean annual wage of $85,700 per year.

5. Biophysicist

Do you envision yourself working within a laboratory, performing research to better understand living organisms on a microscopic level? This function helps identify certain natural patterns that may exist based on an organism's DNA, hormones, nutrition, or the addition of other substances. Tools used by biophysicists include microscopes, lasers, and x-rays. You often need a doctoral-level degree to work in this position.

EARNINGS POTENTIAL: This role has a mean annual wage of $94,270.

6. Food and Drug Analyst

Have you ever heard the phrase "you are what you eat?" Well, that phrase should actually say that you are whatever you ingest, whether you are eating foods or taking medications. It is a food and drug analyst's job to help create a process whereby these food and drug products are grown and manufactured as safely and as efficiently as possible while also having minimal impact on the environment.

EARNINGS POTENTIAL: The average pay in this biomedical career is $100,410 per year.

7. Oceanographer

It is estimated that 71 percent of the earth's surface is water, with 96.5 percent of this water existing within our oceans. You can use your biomedical science degree to study how these types of water move, as well as how they impact land and the climate. This might involve conducting field studies or it could mean working in a lab and studying photos, logs, and other pieces of ocean-related data. Oceanographer is just one type of geoscientist.

EARNINGS POTENTIAL: This role has a mean annual wage of $93,580.

8. Water Quality Analyst

The human body requires water to exist. It is a water quality analyst's job to ensure that this water is safe. Persons working in this role are also often tasked with finding sustainable ways to make the water supply as high in quality as possible. A water quality analyst can be found collecting data in the field or analyzing data in a lab.

EARNINGS POTENTIAL: The average pay in this position is roughly $67,038 per year.

9. Medical Doctor

The primary goal of a medical doctor is to treat patients with a variety of medical conditions–from minor to life-threatening–as well as to help patients maintain good health. While there are numerous specialties medical doctors can take in their careers, their work focuses on maximizing either the physical or mental health of their patients. It's important to note that medical school, a residency, and a fellowship are often required to become a medical doctor after earning a bachelor's degree in biomedical science or a related area of study.

EARNINGS POTENTIAL: The average annual salary for a medical doctor is $210,403.

Ready to Begin Your Biomedical Career?

Do any of these biomedical careers sound appealing to you? If so, Saint Leo University offers a Bachelor of Science in biology with a specialization in biomedical and health sciences.

This undergraduate degree program includes foundational courses such as Biological Principles, Fundamentals of Genetics, General Chemistry, and General Physics. There are also courses specific to biomedical and health sciences, such as Biochemistry, Invertebrate Zoology, Mycology, Virology, and Immunology.

If you are ready to begin your biomedical career or are currently working in this field and would like to advance, contact our Office of Admissions. Our trusted and professional staff can answer any questions you may have about earning your biomedical science degree at Saint Leo University. Your path to a rewarding and lucrative biomedical career can start today.