Career Planning
Career planning and preparation
Graduates from our biochemistry program understand the chemical principles of biological systems, including molecular biology. They have developed laboratory expertise in modern biochemical techniques, including the ability to analyze data and prepare scientific reports. Most have participated in undergraduate research and have developed the skills necessary for both written and oral presentations at a level that will serve the student both within the university and in postgraduate professional life. Graduates have the experience of interacting with people from different disciplines and cultures. Students have the training in mathematics and physics to solve problems of broad scope in biological, biomedical and environmental sciences and to provide leadership in diverse scientific and technological arenas.
BBMB offers discipline-specific support for planning your next steps. In addition, CALS Career Services and LAS Career Services assist you with resumes, cover letters, and references; offer tools to provide feedback on formatting and content; and lead mock interviews to prepare you for upcoming interviews.
Career Paths
What can I do with an undergraduate degree in biochemistry?
A degree in biochemistry demonstrates significant and broad competence in the biological sciences alongside critical thinking and problem-solving. These skills can be applied to fields from research to healthcare, to academia and even law. Our graduates often move on to graduate study, medical school, and industry careers.
As a biochemistry major, here are potential career paths you might follow:
- Researcher in agriculture, medicine, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical industry
- Advancing to medical or professional school
- Forensic scientist
- Genetic counselor
- Clinical or environmental laboratory analyst
- Researcher and instructor (Professor) at a university
- K-12 science teacher
What can I do with a graduate degree in biochemistry?
Demand for PhD‑level biochemists and biophysicists continues to increase as biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and agricultural entities seek scientists who can convert fundamental molecular discoveries into transformative products, policies and clinical interventions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of biochemists and biophysicists is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations over the next decade, fueled by breakthroughs in drug discovery, precision therapeutics, synthetic biology, and sustainable bioengineering.
Employers highlight our graduates’ expertise in quantitative experimental design and analysis, combining rigorous data-driven approaches with sophisticated bench techniques. As a result, BBMB alumni now lead research programs as principal investigators at R1 universities, teach and mentor the next generation of scientists on the faculties of primarily undergraduate institutions, and act as group leaders and senior scientists in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
After you've earned your graduate degree, here are potential career paths you might follow:
- University Professor / Academic Research Scientist
- Biotechnology or Pharmaceutical R&D Scientist
- Science Policy Advisor (Government or NGO)
- Patent Law & Intellectual Property Consultant
- Core Facility Director or Manager
- Science Writer or Communicator
- Biotechnology Sales & Technical Specialist
- Government Scientist (e.g., NIH, USDA, FDA)
Undergraduate-level career paths
As a biochemistry major, here are potential career paths you might follow:
- Researcher in agriculture, medicine, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical industry
- Advancing to medical or professional school
- Forensic scientist
- Genetic counselor
- Clinical or environmental laboratory analyst
- Researcher and instructor (Professor) at a university
- K-12 science teacher
Graduate-level career paths
After you've earned your graduate degree, here are potential career paths you might follow:
- University Professor / Academic Research Scientist
- Biotechnology or Pharmaceutical R&D Scientist
- Science Policy Advisor (Government or NGO)
- Patent Law & Intellectual Property Consultant
- Core Facility Director or Manager
- Science Writer or Communicator
- Biotechnology Sales & Technical Specialist
- Government Scientist (e.g., NIH, USDA, FDA)
Salary and job outlook
Biochemistry degree holders enjoy strong earning potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for biochemists in the United States in 2024 was over $103,000, with the highest 10% earning more than $168,000 per year. After receiving their B.S. degrees, our undergraduates often pursue graduate or medical school or start careers in research, biotechnology, or pharmaceuticals. Our Ph.D. graduates pursue research, teaching, or other scientific careers in academia, industry, or beyond.
Salary and job outlook
Genetic counselors enjoy strong earning potential, with the median annual salary in the United States in 2024 being over $98,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest 10% of earners in the atmospheric sciences earned over $137,000 per year.
Forensic scientists enjoy strong earning potential, with the median annual salary in the United States in 2024 being over $67,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest 10% of earners in the atmospheric sciences earned over $110,000 per year.
Biochemists and Biophysicists enjoy strong earning potential, with the median annual salary in the United States in 2023 being over $107,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest 10% of earners in the atmospheric sciences earned over $175,000 per year.
Technical writers enjoy strong earning potential, with the median annual salary in the United States in 2024 being over $91,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest 10% of earners in the atmospheric sciences earned over $130,000 per year.