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Biology professor: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$84,620median pay per year, May 2025[1]
  1. $52,150lowest 10% earn less
  2. $64,35025th percentile
  3. $84,620median
  4. $126,77075th percentile
  5. $169,900top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Postsecondary biological science teachers, often called biology professors, earned a median of $84,620 a year in May 2025[1]. The typical entry path calls for a doctoral or professional degree[2], and jobs are projected to grow 7.3% by 2035[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+7.3%[3]
Openings per year
4,700[6]
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree[2]

How much do biology professors make?

The median pay for biological science teachers at the postsecondary level was $84,620 a year in May 2025[1]. Half earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was higher, at $102,840 a year[7]. BLS publishes only annual wages for this job, not hourly wages[8].

For all occupations in the US, the median was $50,980 a year[5]. The typical biology professor earned about $33,640 more than that[1][5].

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $52,150, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $169,900[4]. BLS publishes percentile wages as boundaries, not as a starting salary[9].

Level Annual pay
10th percentile[4] $52,150
25th percentile[4] $64,350
Median[1] $84,620
75th percentile[4] $126,770
90th percentile[4] $169,900

These figures cover wage and salary workers, part time and full time. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses that are not tied to production, and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10].

Pay by state and city

California had the highest state median, at $129,150 a year[11]. Massachusetts followed at $105,050, then Michigan at $103,620[11]. Florida had the lowest median on the list, at $57,140[11].

The most jobs were in New York (3,870), Texas (3,840), California (3,610), Pennsylvania (2,410) and Illinois (2,340)[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA was listed first, at $166,850[13]. Madison, WI came next at $142,490, and Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA at $138,120[13]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs, at 3,070, with a median of $98,250[14]. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin had 1,760 jobs and a median of $101,960[14].

Show median pay in 48 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[11]$129,1503,610
Massachusetts$105,0502,060
Michigan$103,6201,460
New Hampshire$102,410170
Rhode Island$102,300250
Delaware$101,380130
Oregon$100,820800
Montana$100,480110
Illinois$99,0602,340
New Mexico$98,820150
Colorado$98,680810
New York$98,1803,870
Washington$97,280960
Minnesota$96,880780
District of Columbia$96,830350
Connecticut$96,470870
North Dakota$90,740170
Georgia$88,020980
Pennsylvania$85,9702,410
Nevada$85,040350
Maine$84,080270
Maryland$83,500970
Indiana$83,1301,100
Arizona$83,030n/a
Wyoming$82,930160
Texas$82,4703,840
South Carolina$82,300750
Vermont$82,230170
Idaho$81,620220
Utah$81,580300
Kansas$81,300430
Nebraska$81,190500
Missouri$80,9701,060
Ohio$79,6001,350
New Jersey$79,5401,570
Virginia$79,1901,760
Louisiana$79,010390
Tennessee$78,940830
Wisconsin$78,920950
Iowa$78,060540
North Carolina$77,7001,960
Arkansas$77,670430
Alabama$77,5401,160
South Dakota$76,570160
Kentucky$70,630470
West Virginia$67,190220
Mississippi$66,830580
Oklahoma$65,960470
Florida$57,1402,020

How to become a biology professor

The BLS typical path for this job lists a doctoral or professional degree, no work experience in a related job and no on-the-job training[2]. The details below come from a BLS profile of postsecondary teachers, which covers a wider group than biology teachers alone[15].

The degree bar depends on the school. Four-year colleges and universities typically want a doctorate, though some specialties or part-time posts may take a master's degree or a doctoral candidate[20]. Community colleges may hire with a master's degree, but some prefer a Ph.D.[21].

In an O*NET survey of 36 workers, 48% said a doctoral degree is the level required, 38% said post-doctoral training and 12% said a master's degree[22].

Professors with a doctorate often seek tenure, a guarantee against being fired without just cause. Getting it may take up to 7 years of moving up through the ranks of assistant professor, associate professor and professor[23].

What biology professors do

Biology professors teach courses in the biological sciences. Some mainly teach, and others combine teaching with research[24]. Typical tasks include:

People in the job report titles such as assistant professor, associate professor, lecturer and biology instructor[26].

Where they work

In the BLS profile covering the wider group of postsecondary teachers, the largest listed employer group was colleges, universities and professional schools (state), at 41%[27]. The same profile says teachers mostly work full time, though part-time work is common[28]. Classes are generally held during the day, with some in the evenings or on weekends[29].

Academic calendars usually include breaks between terms. Some teachers teach summer courses, and others use the time for research or professional development[30]. Full-time teachers typically need to be on campus to teach and hold office hours, and are otherwise free to set their own schedules[31]. The profile also says balancing teaching with research and publishing can be stressful, especially for beginning teachers seeking advancement[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of postsecondary biological science teachers to grow 7.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 62,000 to 66,500 jobs[3]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[33]. These projection counts include self-employed workers, so they differ from the 50,190 wage and salary jobs counted in the May 2025 pay survey[34][3]. Only 0.2% of these teachers were self-employed in 2025[35].

About 4,700 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings count jobs left by people who retire or switch occupations, as well as new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.5% of these teachers are projected to leave the labor force and 3% to move to a different occupation[36]. BLS lists rising demand for biology courses as a factor behind the growth[37].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job with a high education bar. The typical path calls for a doctoral degree, and doctoral programs usually take several years[2][16]. Pay is above the all-occupations median, with a wide gap between the lower and upper ends and large differences between states[1][4][5][11]. Jobs are projected to grow faster than the all-occupations rate[3][33]. The schedule is described as flexible, though teaching and research together can be stressful[32][31].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[38].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a biology professor make?
The median was $84,620 a year in May 2025, and the average was $102,840[1][7]. BLS publishes no hourly wage for this job[8].
What degree do you need to be a biology professor?
The BLS typical entry education is a doctoral or professional degree[2]. Community colleges may hire with a master's degree[21].
How long does it take to become a biology professor?
Doctoral programs usually take several years[16]. Some biology teachers also do a post-doc, usually 2 to 3 years[17]. The facts give no total time.
Is biology professor in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 7.3% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[3][33]. About 4,700 openings a year are projected[6].
What is the highest paying state for biology professors?
California, with a median of $129,150 a year[11]. Massachusetts was next at $105,050[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary in the US was $84,620 per year. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary: education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary is projected to grow 7.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 62,000 to 66,500 jobs (a change of +4,500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary: 10th percentile $52,150, 25th percentile $64,350, 75th percentile $126,770, 90th percentile $169,900. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 4,700 openings for Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary was $102,840 per year. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS publishes only annual wages for Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary, not hourly wages, because many work fewer than 2,080 hours a year but are paid yearly. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary jobs: New York 3,870; Texas 3,840; California 3,610; Pennsylvania 2,410; Illinois 2,340. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $166,850; Madison, WI $142,490; Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $138,120; Charlottesville, VA $135,930; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $133,540; Fresno, CA $129,520; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $128,070; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $127,800. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 3,070 (median $98,250); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 1,760 (median $101,960); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 1,380 (median $128,070); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,250 (median $127,800); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 1,070 (median $95,260); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 960 (median $82,520). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Postsecondary Teachers" covers Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET 25-1042.00 survey of workers (36 respondents), education level they say is required: Doctoral Degree 48%, Post-Doctoral Training 38%, Master's Degree 12% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET description of Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET 25-1042.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Anatomy Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Biological Sciences Professor, Biology Instructor, Biology Professor, Instructor, Lecturer. O*NET OnLine
  27. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of postsecondary teachers in 2025: Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state 41%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 50,190 people were employed as Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  35. BLS Employment Projections: 0.2% of Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary: 3.5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary: Demand change - share increases as demand for biology courses is expected to increase. BLS Employment Projections
  38. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.