The 10 Biotech Jobs Most in Demand Through 2024

October 20, 2016
By Angela Rose for BioSpace.com

Employment within bioscience has increased steadily for the last four consecutive years, with U.S. firms now employing 1.66 million professionals at an average annual wage of $94,543 according to a report released earlier this year by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. Since 2012, the industry has grown by 2.2 percent, an expansion driven by five major subsectors including research and testing, medical labs, drugs and pharmaceuticals.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the principal Federal agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, expects further growth in biotech over the next decade. Using data from the agency’s 2016-17 Occupational Outlook Handbook, which outlines employment projections for 2014-2024, we’ve created this list of the 10 biotech jobs most likely to be in high demand through 2024. If you’re planning to begin a career in biotech in the near future, we encourage you to consider one of these positions as well as opportunities in the nation’s top biotech job markets.

Top 10 Biotech Jobs Most in Demand Through 2024*

1. Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

Medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians perform tests and procedures, ordered by physicians and surgeons, to analyze body fluids, tissue and other substances. Hospitals are the major employer of both groups (58 percent and 44 percent respectively), though many also find jobs at medical and diagnostic laboratories and physician offices as well. The BLS expects the demand for medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians to increase 16 percent between 2014 and 2024, with employers adding 52,100 new positions during that period.

Employers Now Hiring: R&D Partners, Canton-Potsdam Hospital

2. Medical Scientists

Medical scientists—a group that includes cancer researchers, immunochemists, neuroscientists, serologists, toxicologists and gerontologists—conduct research to improve human health. The majority work in life science research and development (34 percent), colleges and universities (27 percent), and hospitals (15 percent). The BLS expects the demand for medical scientists to increase 8 percent between 2014 and 2024, with employers adding 9,000 new positions during that period.

Employers Now Hiring: Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Fate Therapeutics

3. Biomedical Engineers

Biomedical engineers combine engineering and biological science to design instruments, devices and software for healthcare as well as to develop new procedures and solve clinical challenges. Many work in medical equipment and supplies manufacturing (23 percent) or life science research and development (16 percent). Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing companies also employ many of these professionals (12 percent). The BLS expects the demand for biomedical engineers to increase 23 percent between 2014 and 2024, with employers adding 5,100 new positions during that period.

Employers Now Hiring: Olympia Medical Center, Calloway & Associates, Inc.

4. Biological Technicians

Biological technicians work on teams within many research areas, assisting biological and medical scientists with laboratory tests and experiments. Many are employed in research and development (26 percent) or by state colleges and universities (16 percent). The BLS expects the demand for biological technicians to increase 5 percent between 2014 and 2024, with employers adding 4,100 new positions during that period.

Employers Now Hiring: Caribou Biosciences, BeneVir

5. Biochemists and Biophysicists

Biochemists and biophysicists are scientists who study the biological processes of living organisms as well as their chemical and physical principles. The majority work in life science research and development (47 percent) or colleges and universities (16 percent), though many are employed by pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturers (14 percent) as well. The BLS expects the demand for biochemists and biophysicists to increase 8 percent between 2014 and 2024, with employers adding 2,800 new positions during that period.

Employers Now Hiring: Commonwealth Sciences, Siemens

6. Chemical Technicians

Chemical technicians—a group comprised primarily of laboratory technicians and processing technicians—assist chemists and chemical engineers with research, development, testing and production of chemical products and processes. Many work in testing laboratories (21 percent), life science research and development (10 percent), or pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing (9 percent). The BLS expects the demand for chemical technicians to increase 2 percent between 2014 and 2024, with employers adding 1,200 new positions during that period.

Employers Now Hiring: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Johnson Controls

7. Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Zoologists and wildlife biologists are scientists who study animals and their interaction with ecosystems including the impact humans have upon them. The majority work in state (33 percent) and federal (21 percent) government, though some are employed by scientific consulting (10 percent) and life science research (8 percent) organizations. The BLS expects the demand for zoologists and wildlife biologists to increase 4 percent between 2014 and 2024, with employers adding 800 new positions during that period.

Employers Now Hiring: Miami Science Museum, H.T. Harvey & Associates Ecological Consultants

8. Microbiologists

Microbiologists study microorganisms—including bacteria, viruses and parasites—to determine how they grow and interact with their environments. Many work in life science research and development (24 percent) or pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing (21 percent), conducting experiments and analyzing the results. The BLS expects the demand for microbiologists to increase 4 percent between 2014 and 2024, with employers adding 800 new positions during that period.

Employers Now Hiring: Eli Lilly and Company, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

9. Genetic Counselors

Genetic counselors evaluate DNA test results to assess individual or family risk for inherited conditions including genetic disorders and birth defects. The majority work for hospitals (39 percent) and physician offices (20 percent), counseling patients and the medical professionals treating them. The BLS expects the demand for genetic counselors to increase 29 percent between 2014 and 2024, with employers adding 700 new positions during that period.

Employers Now Hiring: Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, Myriad Genetics

10. Epidemiologists

Epidemiologists study patterns and causes of disease and injury in the human population, including infectious diseases and bioterrorism threats. The majority work for state (31 percent) and local governments (22 percent). The BLS expects the demand for epidemiologists to increase 6 percent between 2014 and 2024, with employers adding 400 new positions during that period.

Employers Now Hiring: Biogen, General Dynamics

*Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data covers the entire occupation or a specific group within the occupation.

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