Data & Research
 
* ELMI Occupation Profile - Biologists *
 
Biologists
(O*NET 19-1029.04, SOC 19-1029)
What they do
Research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions.
 
Also called:
Aquatic Biologist, Aquatic Scientist, Biological Scientist, Biologist, Botanist, Horticulturist, Marine Biologist, Research Biologist, Research Scientist, Scientist
 
 
Wages
Biological Scientists, All Other*
Vermont - 2023
Percentile1HourlyYearly
10% $ 22.79   $47,400  
25% $ 24.99   $51,990  
Median $ 27.88   $57,990  
75% $ 41.14   $85,570  
90% $ 48.52   $100,920  
 
Average $ 33.81   $70,330  
* You're seeing information for "Biological Scientists, All Other" because it includes "Biologists" for which wage information is not available.
1 What are Percentile Wages?
More at CareerOneStop
 
Industries of Employment
Biological Scientists, All Other*
United States - 2020
IndustryPercent of total
  • Federal government, excluding postal service
40%
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services
33%
  • Educational services; state, local, and private
11%
  • Ambulatory healthcare services
3%
  • Self-employed workers
3%
* You're seeing information for "Biological Scientists, All Other" because it includes "Biologists" for which industries of employment information is not available.
More at BLS
 
Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about:
  • Biology
    Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
  • English Language
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Mathematics
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Chemistry
    Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  • Law and Government
    Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
More at O*NET
 
Skills
People in this career often have these skills:
  • 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.
More at O*NET
 
Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments:
  • Investigative
    Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
  • Realistic
    Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler
 
Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need:
  • Attention to Detail
    Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
  • Cooperation
    Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
  • Integrity
    Job requires being honest and ethical.
  • Analytical Thinking
    Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
  • Initiative
    Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
More at O*NET
 
Tasks
On the job, you would:
  • 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.
More at O*NET
 
Related Occupations
More at O*NET
 
 
Career Video
Watch at CareerOneStop with transcript or at YouTube.
 
Projected Employment
Biological Scientists, All Other*
 Vermont
2020 employment 52
2030 employment 53
Annual percent change
(compounded)
0.2%
Annual projected job openings
(due to change and separations)
5
* You're seeing information for "Biological Scientists, All Other" because it includes "Biologists" for which projected employment information is not available.
More at Occupational Projections
 
Education and Experience:
Biological Scientists, All Other*
  • Typical education needed for entry
    Bachelor's degree
  • Work experience in a related occupation
    None
  • Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
    None
* You're seeing information for "Biological Scientists, All Other" because it includes "Biologists" for which education and experience information is not available.
Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications
 
Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
 
  • Physical activity is Important
  • Level of activity is High
Importance
Low   High
Level
Compare Occupations at O*NET
 
Job Zone
Extensive Preparation Needed
  • Specific Vocational Preparation Range
    (8.0 and above) - A typical worker will require over 4 years up to and including 10 years or more of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP
 
Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have?
Education level Percent of
U.S. Workers
Doctoral or professional degree
or post-MA certificate
  0%
Master's degree or
post-BA certificate
  67%
Bachelor's degree   32%
Associate's degree   0%
Certificate or some college,
no degree
  0%
High school diploma
or equivalent
  0%
Less than high school diploma   0%
More at O*NET
 
Abilities
People in this career often have talent in:
  • Inductive Reasoning
    The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Category Flexibility
    The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Deductive Reasoning
    The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Oral Comprehension
    The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression
    The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
More at O*NET
 
Work Activities
In general, what you might do:
  • Working with Computers
    Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Analyzing Data or Information
    Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Processing Information
    Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Documenting/Recording Information
    Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
More at O*NET
 
Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day:
  • Communicate results of environmental research.
  • Prepare research or technical reports on environmental issues.
  • Develop collaborative relationships between departments or with external organizations.
  • Conduct research of processes in natural or industrial ecosystems.
  • Collect environmental data or samples.
More at O*NET
 
Other Resources
  • CareerOneStop
    resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
  • O*NET Online
    nation's primary source of occupational information
 
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This page includes information from the O*NET 28.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

BLS

This page includes information produced in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and State Occupational Projections programs.

 
 
 
 
Vermont.gov State of Vermont Department of Labor