It takes a lot of time, money and energy to earn a scientific degree, even at the undergraduate level. When it’s over, after you’ve tossed your cap and picked up your degree, you want to make sure that all of your hard work will pay off – in the form of a well-paying job.
However, not all college majors in science will lead to careers in science. That’s because changing trends in consumer behavior, an evolving job market and growing competition from fellow graduates is changing the balance of supply and demand in certain scientific fields.
Whether you are currently pursuing a degree or thinking about heading back to school, you should pursue a college major that will get you ahead in your job search. To help you, we’ve put together a list of the best college majors for scientific jobs ranked by median earnings. This list is based on research conducted by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce.
| College Major |
Median Earnings (With Bachelor’s Degree) |
| Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration |
$105,000 |
| Oceanography |
$70,000 |
| Physics |
$70,000 |
| Physical Science |
$69,000 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology |
$67,000 |
| Food Science |
$65,000 |
| Geology and Earth Science |
$62,000 |
| Microbiology |
$60,000 |
| Chemistry |
$58,000 |
| General Science |
$55,000 |
| Biochemical Sciences |
$53,000 |
| Nuclear, Industrial Radiology and Biological Technologies |
$52,000 |
| Environmental Science |
$51,000 |
| Plant Science and Agronomy |
$50,000 |
| Biology |
$50,000 |
| Zoology |
$50,000 |
| Nutrition Sciences |
$46,000 |
| Molecular Biology |
$45,000 |
| Physiology |
$45,000 |
| Animal Sciences |
$44,000 |
| Ecology |
$44,000 |
| Botany |
$42,000 |
Internships and training
Along with a bachelor’s degree in an in-demand profession like pharmacy, oceanography and physics, pursuing internship opportunities may help set you apart
For instance, The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has a widely recognized internship program called the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) which encourages undergraduate students to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM skills).
Additionally, schools, hospitals, laboratories, clinics, government entities, and public or private companies often offer internship and training programs in a multitude of science-related markets. What better way to get ahead and gain hands-on experience?
To put your degree to work, or to explore different careers in science, browse our science job titles today.