Redesigns the DNA of microbes, cells and plants so they produce useful things, from medicines and materials to food ingredients and fuels. BLS does not publish separate figures for biologists; it counts them within biologist (SOC 19-1029), whose median pay is $98,920 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
- SOC 19-1029
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Synthetic Biologist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $98,920a year, or $47.56/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $60KTop 10% $168K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +4.7%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+4.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +4.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 4,30059,600 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202559.6K
- Projected 203562.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 59.6K Projected 2035 62.4K - Typical education
- Doctorateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Bachelor's23.4%
- Master's55%
- Post-doctoral training21.6%
Highest education held by biologists Segment Value Bachelor's 23.4% Master's 55% Post-doctoral training 21.6%
Also advertised as: Synthetic Biology Scientist, Strain Engineer, Metabolic Engineer, Genetic Circuit Engineer, Organism Engineer.
Pay
How much do Biologists make?
Every synthetic biologist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$98,920
Middle half earn $76,800 to $127,670
- 10th
- $60,430
- 25th
- $76,800
- 75th
- $127,670
- 90th
- $168,010
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $60,430 |
| 25th | $76,800 |
| Median | $98,920 |
| 75th | $127,670 |
| 90th | $168,010 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $98,920
- Median hourly wage
- $47.56/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $106,330
- People employed
- 55,850
Versus all US occupations
At $98,920, Biologists earn 94% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $47,940 a year.
Versus life, physical, and social science occupations
Inside the Life, Physical, and Social Science group, where the middle occupation pays $82,220, this is 20% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $168,010 or more while the bottom 10% earn $60,430, a gap of 2.8×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 71% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Maryland pays the most at $121,680, and still leads at $115,931 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Biologists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Maryland | $121,680 | $115,931 | 4,970 |
| 2California | $113,530 | $102,538 | 11,880 |
| 3Delaware | $113,400 | $113,618 | N/A |
| 4Connecticut | $111,940 | $108,040 | 170 |
| 5Washington | $108,110 | $101,025 | 2,620 |
| 6Massachusetts | $107,100 | $101,270 | 2,930 |
| 7Alaska | $106,870 | $104,407 | 370 |
| 8New Jersey | $104,750 | $96,273 | 540 |
| 9Maine | $104,570 | $107,749 | 340 |
| 10New York | $104,120 | $96,478 | 2,520 |
Job outlook
Is Synthetic Biologist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +4.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Biologists | +4.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Biologists to change 4.7% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 2,800 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 4,300 openings are projected each year, 7.2% of the 59,600 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Synthetic Biologist
Most industry scientists hold a PhD in molecular biology, bioengineering, chemical engineering or a related field, while research associate roles open to people with a bachelor's or master's degree. Core skills include molecular cloning, DNA design tools, microbiology, and increasingly coding and data analysis.
The iGEM competition gives students hands-on synthetic biology experience and is a well-known route into the field. The Engineering Biology Research Consortium publishes roadmaps and connects academic and industry researchers. Postdoctoral work in a synthetic biology lab or a role at a biofoundry is a common bridge to industry jobs.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Doctoral or professional degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as biologists.
- Master's Degree55%
- Bachelor's Degree23.4%
- Post-Doctoral Training21.6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | 55% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 23.4% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 21.6% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Synthetic Biologist do?
Synthetic biologists treat living cells as programmable systems. They design DNA sequences, insert them into microbes such as yeast or bacteria, and test whether the engineered organism makes the desired product, whether that is a drug ingredient, a fragrance molecule, a spider silk protein or a biodegradable plastic. When it doesn't work, they redesign and try again in a repeating design, build, test and learn cycle.
Much of the work is now automated and data-driven. Synthetic biologists use software to design genetic parts, robotic liquid handlers to build hundreds of variants at once, and sequencing and analytics to pick winners. Some focus on metabolic engineering to raise production yields; others build genetic circuits that let cells sense and respond to their environment.
Day-to-day tasks
- Design DNA constructs and genetic pathways using software tools
- Build engineered strains of bacteria, yeast or other cells
- Run screening experiments to compare engineered variants
- Analyze sequencing and production data to choose the best designs
- Optimize metabolic pathways to raise product yield
- Work with automation teams on high-throughput lab workflows
- Document designs and results for patents and publications
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Synthetic biologists work in biotech startups, pharmaceutical and chemical companies, agricultural firms, university labs and government research centers. Days split between lab benches, automated lab equipment and computer design work. Hours are mostly regular, with occasional evening checks on running experiments. Biosafety rules govern all lab work.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Science4.6
- Reading Comprehension4.1
- Writing4.1
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Mathematics3.9
- Active Learning3.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Science | 4.6 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Writing | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Mathematics | 3.9 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.8
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Coordination3.0
- Instructing3.0
- Programming3.0
- Systems Analysis3.0
- Systems Evaluation3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
| Programming | 3.0 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.0 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Business intelligence and data analysis software
- Development environment software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Synthetic Biologist?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code IRA) built on O*NET's Biologist profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Synthetic Biologist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 7 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Investigative7.0
- Realistic4.8
- Conventional4.5
- Artistic3.4
- Enterprising2.8
- Social2.6
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Synthetic Biologist
O*NET related occupations
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
More life, physical, and social science careers
Median annual pay, with biologists highlighted
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist$193,950
- Physicist$172,250
- Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Synthetic Biologist$98,920
- Chemist$91,240
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health$82,220
- Conservation Scientist$73,010
- Chemical Technician$60,390
- Biological Technician$57,510
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 |
| Physicist | $172,250 |
| Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 |
| Synthetic Biologist | $98,920 |
| Chemist | $91,240 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Synthetic Biologist appears on
Questions
Synthetic Biologist: frequently asked questions
How much do Biologists make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for biologists. It counts them within biologist, whose median pay is $98,920 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $76,800 and $127,670, and the top 10% earn $168,010 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Synthetic Biologist?
Yes, and beyond a bachelor's: BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry requirement for Biologists. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 55.0% hold master's degree.
Is Synthetic Biologist a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4.7% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 4,300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Synthetic Biologist do?
Synthetic biologists treat living cells as programmable systems. A typical task: design DNA constructs and genetic pathways using software tools. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Data base user interface and query software, Geographic information system.
Which states pay Biologists the most?
The highest state medians for Biologists are Maryland ($121,680), California ($113,530), Delaware ($113,400) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Synthetic Biologist?
O*NET scores Biologists highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with INTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.