# Molecular and Cellular Biologists

> Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/molecular-and-cellular-biologists
- SOC code: 19-1029.02
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $98,920 (10th percentile $60,430, 90th percentile $168,010)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +4.7%
- Openings a year: 4,300
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections
- Pay and outlook are for the broader BLS group "Biological scientists, all other".

## Interest profile (code ICR)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 67 |
| Investigative (I) | 94 |
| Artistic (A) | 16 |
| Social (S) | 21 |
| Enterprising (E) | 26 |
| Conventional (C) | 68 |

## What you'd do

- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 88/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 88/100)
- Getting Information (importance 88/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 85/100)
- Processing Information (importance 85/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 84/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 84/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 82/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 82/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 80/100)

## Skills

Science, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Speaking, Active Learning, Learning Strategies

## Knowledge

Biology, English Language, Chemistry, Mathematics, Education and Training, Computers and Electronics, Medicine and Dentistry, Administration and Management, Communications and Media, Administrative

## Also called

Biologist, Biology Researcher, Cell Biologist, Cell Biology Scientist, Cellular Biologist, DNA Sequencing Associate, Electrophysiologist, Molecular Biologist, Molecular Biology Researcher, Molecular Biology Scientist

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Biology, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2601) (CIP 2601, 1,703 colleges)
- [Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2602) (CIP 2602, 756 colleges)
- [Applied Mathematics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2703) (CIP 2703, 426 colleges)
- [Neurobiology and Neurosciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2615) (CIP 2615, 363 colleges)
- [Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2613) (CIP 2613, 353 colleges)
- [Research and Experimental Psychology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4227) (CIP 4227, 327 colleges)
- [Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2609) (CIP 2609, 269 colleges)
- [Biotechnology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2612) (CIP 2612, 234 colleges)
- [Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2611) (CIP 2611, 200 colleges)
- [Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2604) (CIP 2604, 182 colleges)
- [Microbiological Sciences and Immunology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2605) (CIP 2605, 169 colleges)
- [Nutrition Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3019) (CIP 3019, 167 colleges)
- [Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2699) (CIP 2699, 152 colleges)
- [Zoology/Animal Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2607) (CIP 2607, 125 colleges)
- [Pharmacology and Toxicology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2610) (CIP 2610, 109 colleges)
- [Genetics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2608) (CIP 2608, 91 colleges)
- [Botany/Plant Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2603) (CIP 2603, 80 colleges)
- [Human Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3027) (CIP 3027, 42 colleges)
- Marine Sciences (CIP 3032, 40 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Harvard University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/harvard-university-1157) | Applied Mathematics | $145,554 | $170,689 | not reported |
| [Brown University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/brown-university-314) | Applied Mathematics | $135,449 | $157,822 | $8,125 |
| [Stevens Institute of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/stevens-institute-of-technology-2604) | Applied Mathematics | $105,295 | $156,419 | $23,250 |
| [Northwestern University-Illinois](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northwestern-university-illinois-1966) | Applied Mathematics | not reported | $148,740 | $17,250 |
| [Dartmouth College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/dartmouth-college-769) | Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $60,266 | $143,067 | not reported |
| [Carlow University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carlow-university-405) | Biology, General | $42,599 | $134,677 | $26,774 |
| [Cornell University-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cornell-university-new-york-710) | Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology | not reported | $124,242 | not reported |
| [University of California-San Diego UCSD](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-san-diego-ucsd-2887) | Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology | $90,963 | $123,320 | $18,145 |

## Related careers

- [Biochemists and Biophysicists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biochemists-and-biophysicists): $127,410 median pay
- [Geneticists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geneticists): $98,920 median pay
- [Bioinformatics Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bioinformatics-scientists): $98,920 median pay
- [Biologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biologists): $98,920 median pay
- [Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bioengineers-and-biomedical-engineers): $109,370 median pay
- [Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biological-science-teachers-postsecondary): $84,620 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.