Cell Biologist
Impact: Medical advancements, disease treatment, genetic research, biotechnological innovations, and fundamental understanding of life.
Investigates the structure, function, and behavior of cells to understand fundamental life processes and contribute to medical and biotechnological advancements.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Moderate
- Team vs solo
- 60% Team / 40% Solo
- Client facing
- Rarely
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- Minimal
- Schedule flexibility
- Moderate
- Remote work
- Limited Remote
- Typical work hours
- 40-50 hours/week
- Stress level
- High
At a glance
- Median salary
- $105,512
- Entry-level
- $42,500 - $45,000
- Senior
- $157,100+
- Growth by 2033
- 11% (faster than average)
- Demand
- Growing Fast
- Freelance potential
- Low
- Salary growth potential
- High to 250-300% growth from entry to senior
- Typical student debt
- $50,000 - $100,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Cell Culture
- Molecular Techniques
- Microscopy
- Flow Cytometry
- Genetic Engineering
- Data Analysis
- Bioinformatics
- Lab Safety
Soft skills
- Research Design
- Scientific Communication
- Organization
- Time Management
- Collaboration
- Troubleshooting
Technical complexity: Very High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Doctoral or Professional Degree
- Licensing
- Varies by State
- Years to mid-career
- 3-5 years
- Years to senior
- 7-10 years
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Research Assistant
- Associate Scientist
- Research Scientist
- Senior Research Scientist
- Principal Scientist/Lab Manager
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- 25% to moderate risk
- AI disruption risk
- Low
- Demand trend
- Growing Fast
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 3.8/10
- Meaning
- 4.2/10
- Work-life balance
- 3/10
- Prestige
- 8.5/10
- Social perception
- High