Washington·Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations·SOC 19-1029

Best Biological Scientist, All Other programs in Washington, ranked by enrollment

All biological scientists not listed.

36 schools in Washington run programs that feed this job, graduating 2,448 people a year. The job pays a median of $108,110 in Washington across about 2,620 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Also calledBotanistBiologistScientistBioinformaticistMedical GeneticistResearch ScientistMolecular BiologistBioinformatics Scientist
Graduates / yr
2,448
in Washington
Median pay · Washington
$108,110
BLS OEWS May 2025
Jobs in state
2,620
people employed
Schools
36
with a feeder program
Avg graduation rate
50%
across those schools
Median net price
$23,510
per year, IPEDS

Fields of study in Washington that lead to this job

Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.

Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.01
Biology
1,346graduates / yr
33 schools · 1 specialization · 55.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings $32,152
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.04
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
256graduates / yr
5 schools · 1 specialization · 10.5% of pipeline
Grad earnings $35,393
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.19
Nutrition Sciences
188graduates / yr
4 schools · 1 specialization · 7.7% of pipeline
Grad earnings $30,508
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.13
Ecology
168graduates / yr
3 schools · 6 specializations · 6.7% of pipeline
Grad earnings $29,460
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.15
Neurobiology and Neurosciences
166graduates / yr
4 schools · 2 specializations · 6.8% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,687
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.27
Human Biology
128graduates / yr
3 schools · 1 specialization · 5.2% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,690
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.11
Biomathematics
38graduates / yr
1 schools · 2 specializations · 1.5% of pipeline
Grad earnings $72,338
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.02
Biochemistry
33graduates / yr
2 schools · 2 specializations · 1.4% of pipeline
Grad earnings $38,243
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.03
Botany/Plant Biology
27graduates / yr
2 schools · 3 specializations · 1.1% of pipeline
Grad earnings $33,009
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.08
Genetics
27graduates / yr
1 schools · 2 specializations · 1.1% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,800
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.32
Marine Sciences
24graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 1.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings $27,337
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.05
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology
22graduates / yr
1 schools · 2 specializations · 0.9% of pipeline
Grad earnings $38,383
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.10
Pharmacology and Toxicology
7graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.3% of pipeline
Grad earnings $39,202
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.99
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
7graduates / yr
2 schools · 1 specialization · 0.3% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,278
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.09
Physiology
6graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.2% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,146
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.07
Zoology/Animal Biology
5graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.2% of pipeline
Grad earnings $28,266

28 programs in Washington that lead to this job

Ranked by graduates per year in Washington (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are national College Scorecard figures reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. Each program also links to its own Washington page.

Degree programs that lead to this occupation, ranked by graduates per year
#ProgramGraduates / yrShare of pipelineSchoolsGrad earnings (1 yr)Median debt
11,346
55.0%
33$32,152$25,000
2256
10.5%
5$35,393$19,961
3188
7.7%
4$30,508$24,586
4128
5.2%
3$31,690$17,312
5100
4.1%
4$31,687$22,936
682
3.3%
3$29,460$23,480
766
2.7%
1$31,687$22,936
840
1.6%
1$29,460$23,480
935
1.4%
1$72,338$18,500
1024
1.0%
1$27,337$22,400
1119
0.8%
1$31,800$21,424
1217
0.7%
1$38,243$23,014
1317
0.7%
1$29,460$23,480
1416
0.7%
2$38,243$23,014
1514
0.6%
1$38,383$22,065
1611
0.4%
2$33,009$21,975
1711
0.4%
1$29,460$23,480
1811
0.4%
1$29,460$23,480
199
0.4%
1$33,009$21,975
208
0.3%
1$38,383$22,065
218
0.3%
1$31,800$21,424
227
0.3%
2$31,278$23,000
237
0.3%
1$33,009$21,975
247
0.3%
1$39,202$18,000
257
0.3%
1$29,460$23,480
266
0.2%
1$31,146$23,384
275
0.2%
1$28,266$24,393
283
0.1%
1$72,338$18,500

Top 25 schools in Washington

Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 15 of the 36 schools in this state.

Schools ranked by graduates per year into this occupation
#SchoolGraduates / yrTop feeder programGrad earnings (1 yr)Grad rateNet priceAcceptance
1University of Washington - Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA Public · 15 feeder programs
932Biology/Biological Sciences, General$38,71685%39%
2Washington State University
Pullman, WA Public · 10 feeder programs
368Biology/Biological Sciences, General$36,29060%87%
3Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA Public · 5 feeder programs
159Biology/Biological Sciences, General$33,87165%93%
4University of Washington - Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA Public · 1 feeder programs
97Biology/Biological Sciences, General$38,71665%91%
5Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA Public · 1 feeder programs
91Biology/Biological Sciences, General$33,79343%91%
6Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
87Biology/Biological Sciences, General$30,81986%$30,00682%
7Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA Public · 2 feeder programs
85Biology/Biological Sciences, General$36,40154%91%
8Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs
69Biology/Biological Sciences, General$28,53881%$28,50838%
9Seattle University
Seattle, WA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs
53Biology/Biological Sciences, General$37,06376%$31,90077%
10Clark College
Vancouver, WA Public · 1 feeder programs
51Biology/Biological Sciences, General39%
11Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
50Biology/Biological Sciences, General$36,76669%$19,94478%
12Cascadia College
Bothell, WA Public · 1 feeder programs
47Biology/Biological Sciences, General32%
13Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs
34Nutrition Sciences$39,31762%$24,65383%
14South Puget Sound Community College
Olympia, WA Public · 1 feeder programs
33Biology/Biological Sciences, General44%
15Pierce College District
Lakewood, WA Public · 1 feeder programs
32Biology/Biological Sciences, General31%
16Edmonds College
Lynnwood, WA Public · 1 feeder programs
30Biology/Biological Sciences, General29%
17Highline College
Des Moines, WA Public · 1 feeder programs
27Biology/Biological Sciences, General35%
18Whitworth University
Spokane, WA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
23Biology/Biological Sciences, General$29,59971%$23,51090%
19University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
22Biology/Biological Sciences, General$30,19168%$35,05772%
20Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
19Biology/Biological Sciences, General$32,03452%$22,13190%
21Bastyr University
Kenmore, WA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
18Nutrition Sciences$28,998
22The Evergreen State College
Olympia, WA Public · 2 feeder programs
17Mycology41%96%
23Spokane Falls Community College
Spokane, WA Public · 1 feeder programs
16Biology/Biological Sciences, General32%
24Heritage University
Toppenish, WA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
12Biology/Biological Sciences, General54%$13,380
25Walla Walla University
College Place, WA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
12Biology/Biological Sciences, General60%$22,260

All 36 schools in Washington

Every school in Washington with a program that feeds this job, ordered by graduates per year. Earnings are shown for the ranked schools above; open a school profile for the rest.

All schools in Washington that feed this occupation
SchoolCityControlGraduates / yrFeeder programs
University of Washington - Seattle CampusSeattlePublic93215
Washington State UniversityPullmanPublic36810
Western Washington UniversityBellinghamPublic1595
University of Washington - Bothell CampusBothellPublic971
Eastern Washington UniversityCheneyPublic911
Gonzaga UniversitySpokanePrivate not-for-profit871
Central Washington UniversityEllensburgPublic852
Whitman CollegeWalla WallaPrivate not-for-profit696
Seattle UniversitySeattlePrivate not-for-profit533
Clark CollegeVancouverPublic511
Pacific Lutheran UniversityTacomaPrivate not-for-profit501
Cascadia CollegeBothellPublic471
Seattle Pacific UniversitySeattlePrivate not-for-profit345
South Puget Sound Community CollegeOlympiaPublic331
Pierce College DistrictLakewoodPublic321

What biological scientists, all other earn in Washington

What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.

Median annual in Washington
$108,110
Mean annual
$114,060
Jobs in state
2,620
What the range looks like
10th pct$72,040Median$108,11090th pct$172,800
Versus the national median
+9.3%

U.S. median $98,920. Washington pays above the national figure.

Job concentration
2.05×

Concentrated here: Washington employs more of this job per worker than the U.S. average.

Metro areas in Washington

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
$108,580median
1,880 jobs
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA
$109,550median
30 jobs
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA
$106,890median
70 jobs
Kennewick-Richland, WA
$96,100median
60 jobs
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
$105,250median
90 jobs
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA
$88,320median
40 jobs

Job outlook

Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.

Projected growth 2024–34
+1.2%
Little or no change
Openings per year
4,800
new jobs plus replacements
Employment change
800
63,700 → 64,500
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree

Growth and openings are national. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish employment projections at state level, so these figures describe the occupation across the whole U.S., not this state alone.

How to get in

The full skills, tools, and day-to-day breakdown lives on the national Biological Scientists, All Other page.

How to become a Biological Scientist, All Other

Job zone 5 of 5 · SVP 8.0 and above
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Top skills

ScienceReading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningSpeaking

The same job in other states

Where else this occupation employs the most people, and what it pays there.

Related careers in Washington

Every major mapped to this job

The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.

All 25 majors mapped to Biological Scientists, All Other24 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
  • 26.0101Biology/Biological Sciences, General
  • 26.0204Molecular Biology
  • 26.0207Structural Biology
  • 26.0208Photobiology(no graduates reported)
  • 26.0209Radiation Biology/Radiobiology
  • 26.0210Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • 26.0299Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other
  • 26.0301Botany/Plant Biology
  • 26.0305Plant Pathology/Phytopathology
  • 26.0307Plant Physiology
  • 26.0308Plant Molecular Biology
  • 26.0399Botany/Plant Biology, Other
  • 26.0401Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology
  • 26.0403Anatomy
  • 26.0404Developmental Biology and Embryology
  • 26.0406Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • 26.0407Cell Biology and Anatomy
  • 26.0499Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other
  • 26.0503Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology
  • 26.0504Virology
  • 26.0505Parasitology
  • 26.0506Mycology
  • 26.0507Immunology
  • 26.0508Microbiology and Immunology
  • 26.0509Infectious Disease and Global Health

Common questions

Answers for people weighing biological scientists, all other programs in Washington.

What degree do you need to become a Biological Scientist, All Other?+

Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Biology/Biological Sciences, General, which awarded 1,346 degrees in Washington in 2024-25, 55.0% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.

Which college majors lead to becoming a Biological Scientist, All Other?+

The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 28 programs to this occupation. The largest are Biology, Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Nutrition Sciences, Ecology, plus 12 more. Together they graduate about 2,448 people a year in Washington.

How much do biological scientists, all other earn in Washington?+

The median is $108,110 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 9.3% above the U.S. median of $98,920. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.

Is demand for biological scientists, all other growing?+

BLS projects a +1.2% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, little or no change, with roughly 4,800 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.

How many schools offer programs for this career in Washington?+

36 institutions in Washington reported graduates from at least one of the 28 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.

What other job titles do biological scientists, all other work under?+

Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Botanist, Biologist, Scientist, Bioinformaticist, Medical Geneticist, Research Scientist among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 19-1029.

About the data on this page

Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024–25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).

  • BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics

    May 2025

    Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.

  • BLS Employment Projections

    2024–34

    Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.

  • IPEDS Completions

    2024-25 (provisional)

    Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.

  • College Scorecard, Field of Study

    2020-21 cohorts

    Median graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.

  • Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes

    latest available

    Graduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.

  • NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk

    CIP 2020 / SOC 2018

    Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.

  • O*NET Database 30.3

    30.3

    Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.

    Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA

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