Let’s face it: There’s a big world out there with seemingly endless career options. If you’re a student who enjoys sciences but are unsure of a specialty, you might want to consider a career in the biomedical sciences.
The jobs you can get with a biomedical degree are vast and diverse. If you want to be in a lab and do research, you might explore the responsibilities of a biomedical researcher or lab technician. With a biomedical science major, you could also become a genetic counselor, health policy analyst, and medical writer—just to name a few things.
According to Payscale, a biomedical scientist earns, on average, $70,448. Entry-level scientists (less than a year of experience) earn around $68,000. An experienced biomedical scientist can earn upwards of $93,000 as they advance in their career.
In the Bay Area, the average biomedical scientist salary is $105,850, but a salary can range from $61,588 to $150,100, according to Salary.com.
Here are some things you can do with a biomedical science major. Keep in mind that while a biomedical degree can get you started, many pursue advanced degrees (masters, doctorates).
Curious about the composition of matter? An analytical chemist works in industries such as food, drug, and water safety studying the makeup and quantities of different substances. This type of work can also aid in legal investigations, trade and commerce, and diagnosing diseases.
A biotechnologist might work in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and cosmetics. They manipulate DNA in order to create things such as new drug therapies, different crop strains that will thrive in various climates, and new makeup pigments.
If you want to be in the healthcare field but shy away from patient interaction, you might find that working as a biomedical lab technician could be a good fit. Lab technicians work under doctors, lab managers, and lab technologists running lab tests on specimens, helping to diagnose illnesses, and determining the proper treatment.
Are you interested in epidemiology? Part of a biomedical scientist’s job is the study of treatments and managing new/emerging diseases.
If you don’t want to be a dentist, but are interested in a career in oral and dental health, you could pursue the path of a dental researcher. You’ll study topics such as oral cancer, infectious diseases, and craniofacial development.
For those interested in protecting and preserving the environment, environmental engineering is a good field to work in if you want to be at the forefront. You’ll work on issues such as recycling and waste disposal, water, and climate change. A background in engineering plus chemistry, biology, and soil science are essential.
If CSI and NCIS have you dreaming about getting into forensic science, consider this career path. Forensic science technicians typically work in two veins. Some are on the ground at crime scenes—too gruesome? Others work in the lab, performing analysis on the evidence by looking at the DNA, chemicals, and other clues that could piece together the crime.
Genetic counselors help people understand their health histories and assess genetic risks for things like disorders and birth defects. This is a great career option for those who want to be in health care but may not want to take the longer route of medical school.
Want to make an impact on your local community? Health policy analysts study current and potential policies to see how they would benefit the communities they serve. In this role, you need to be comfortable reading and processing data, statistical analysis and modeling, and being able to effectively communicate your findings.
Aspiring journalist with an interest in science? As a medical writer, you can work in many industries besides journalism—write grants, clinical trial publications, medical and device manuals, and even marketing materials.
Neuroscientists study the brain, nervous system, and the disorders that affect them. Fields include behavior, cognitive, clinical, and computational neuroscience.
Nanotechnologists work on the molecular level building and creating things that include computers, cancer treatment, solar panels, and more. They even work in food safety.
Love science and enjoy connecting with others? Pharmaceutical sales representatives meet with healthcare providers to share about their company’s treatments. It’s helpful to be curious and in-the-know about drug development—the field is competitive and if you want an edge over the next company, you’ll have to know the product like the back of your hand.
If you're interested in learning more about biomedical science, a great place to start is taking biomedical classes in high school. Learn more about what biomedical science is and what you'll learn in our biomedical sciences program.