Occupation · SOC 19-1029
Biological Scientists, All Other
All biological scientists not listed separately.
Median wage
$93,330
$54,500–$159,780
Projected growth
+1.3%
Slower than average
Annual openings
80
per year
Employed (US)
59,710
Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
1,984 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingSpeakingWritingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingActive Learning
Knowledge areas
English LanguageMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingBiology
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareGeographic information systemData base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
Study nutritional requirements of animals and nutritive values of animal feed materials.Write up or orally communicate research findings to the scientific community, producers, and the pubDevelop improved practices in feeding, housing, sanitation, or parasite and disease control of anima
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Nutritional requirements of research animals — identify and document under direct supervision in a university or government laboratory setting.Scientific literature on animal feed materials — read and summarize comprehensively to support ongoing research projects at an advanced-degree entry level.Research findings on animal biology — compile and organize into draft written reports under the guidance of a senior investigator.Data collection protocols for feeding trials — follow precisely and record observations accurately in a controlled experimental facility.Database and spreadsheet software — enter, retrieve, and format biological research data under direction within a life sciences research environment.Active listening skills — apply during laboratory briefings and team meetings to accurately interpret complex methodological instructions from senior scientists.Geographic information system tools — operate at a basic level to map animal population or habitat data as directed on research projects.Sanitation and biosecurity protocols for animal housing — follow established procedures under supervision to maintain compliance in a research vivarium.Critical thinking — apply when reviewing experimental results to flag anomalies or inconsistencies for senior review in a biological research context.Presentation software — prepare introductory slide decks summarizing literature or preliminary data for internal laboratory meetings under supervisor guidance.
developing
Nutritive values of common animal feed materials — analyze and compare routinely using established assay methods in a research or agricultural testing laboratory.Research manuscripts and technical reports — draft and revise with reduced oversight to communicate findings to scientific and producer audiences.Animal feeding and husbandry practice improvements — propose evidence-based modifications based on review of current literature and trial data in production settings.Complex biological data sets — query, clean, and interpret using database and spreadsheet tools to support multi-phase research projects independently.Oral presentations of research results — deliver clearly to both scientific peers and agricultural producers at regional conferences or extension events.Parasite and disease control protocols — adapt and implement standard procedures for varying animal species and housing environments with limited supervision.Inductive reasoning — apply to identify emerging patterns across multiple feeding trials and draw preliminary conclusions for team discussion.Producer advisory communications — develop written guidance documents recommending improved animal production techniques based on completed research outcomes.Geographic information systems — use with proficiency to analyze spatial relationships in wildlife or livestock distribution studies across field sites.Active learning — pursue independently through professional development activities to integrate new methodologies into routine biological research practice.
proficient
Nutritional requirement models for diverse animal species — design and execute original research programs autonomously in academic, government, or industry research environments.Research findings — communicate authoritatively through peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and public-facing materials directed at scientific and agricultural stakeholder audiences.Animal housing, feeding, and sanitation systems — evaluate comprehensively and develop improved practice frameworks addressing non-routine challenges across multiple production contexts.Producer advisory programs — lead independently, translating complex biological research into actionable recommendations that measurably enhance animal production outcomes.Complex problem solving — apply across full research scope to resolve novel experimental challenges involving disease control, nutrition, or environmental factors in animal populations.Multi-source biological data — integrate from databases, field studies, and laboratory assays to produce authoritative interpretations supporting regulatory or production decisions.Judgment and decision making — exercise autonomously when evaluating experimental design trade-offs, resource allocation, and ethical considerations in biological research programs.CAD and modeling software — utilize to design improved animal housing systems or experimental apparatus tailored to specific research and welfare requirements.Cross-disciplinary knowledge in chemistry, biology, and mathematics — synthesize to address complex questions about nutrient metabolism and feed composition in research programs.Mentorship of graduate students and junior scientists — provide structured guidance on research methodology, scientific writing, and professional development within research laboratories.
advanced
National or institutional research agenda for animal biological sciences — set strategic direction by identifying priority gaps and securing sustained funding from government and industry partners.Scientific communication strategy — lead organization-wide efforts to disseminate high-impact findings to research communities, policymakers, producers, and the public at national scale.Transformative improvements in animal production practices — champion adoption across industry sectors by synthesizing research programs, forging producer partnerships, and influencing policy frameworks.Senior scientific advisory function — serve authoritatively for agricultural agencies, industry boards, and international bodies on animal nutrition, disease control, and welfare standards.Large-scale interdisciplinary research programs — design and direct, integrating biology, chemistry, data science, and agricultural economics to solve systemic animal production challenges.Organizational research culture — cultivate intellectual curiosity, integrity, and rigorous attention to detail by modeling exemplary scientific standards and establishing institutional norms.Next-generation biological scientists — develop through doctoral mentorship, fellowship program leadership, and executive sponsorship of early-career researchers across the life sciences.Advanced analytical infrastructure — lead procurement, implementation, and governance of GIS platforms, research databases, and computational tools at an institutional or multi-site level.High-stakes judgment — exercise at the executive level when advising on outbreak response, regulatory submissions, or controversial animal production technologies with broad societal implications.Knowledge translation — orchestrate systematic conversion of research discoveries into extension education, producer training programs, and policy guidance that drives measurable industry improvement.
Also known as
21 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
AlgologistAstrobiologistBioanalystBioassayistBiologistBiomedical ScientistBotanistBryologistCollector of Aquarium SpecimensEmbryologistEtiologistMorphologistMycologistOlericulturistOsteologistPaleobotanistPhysiologistPhytopathologistPlant EtiologistPlant TaxonomistTaxonomist