What Can You Do With a Biochemistry Degree?

Earning a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry can be the entrance point for various career paths in clinical or commercial laboratories and the groundwork for advanced medical and scientific careers.

Undergraduate biochemistry degree programs provide the academic foundation for jobs in exciting fields like biomedicine, biotechnology, pharmaceutics, food science, agriculture, healthcare, and forensics. Students seeking careers in medical practice, clinical research, or education can also pursue a biochemistry degree as preparation for further professional or graduate programs required in their field.

If you love science, studying biochemistry can develop your technical and analytical skills and open opportunities to apply your expertise in many innovative industries.

Jobs to Pursue With a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry

Bachelor’s degree programs in biochemistry position students to enter directly into laboratory work for pharmaceutical or manufacturing companies, research institutions, public agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and more.

These entry-level biochemistry jobs typically require a balance of academic credentials and hands-on training. Selecting a bachelor’s program that incorporates lab experiences will help you when applying for entry-level scientist roles.

Career roles to pursue with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry include:

• Laboratory Technician
• Biological Technician
• Junior Scientist
• Research Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Data Coordinator

Biochemistry graduates have the scientific knowledge and special training to perform well in fields such as:

• Food science
• Pharmaceutics
• Environmental science and conservation
• Forensic science
• Biomedicine
• Clinical research
• Biotechnology

A few years after becoming a laboratory technician or entry-level scientist, your performance can lead to increased responsibilities and career advancement. With a bachelor’s in biochemistry and some work experience, you can potentially become a mid-level biochemist or scientist in your field.

Advanced Medical and Research Professions

For high-level research scientist roles in education, clinical settings, and biochemical, biotechnological, and biomedical laboratories, employers often prefer or require applicants to have master’s degrees. These advanced roles include:

• Research Associate
• Senior Clinical Researcher
• Biotechnologist
• Biomedical Scientist
• College Professor
• Environmental Scientist
• Forensic Scientist

Biochemistry bachelor’s programs introduce students to the scientific principles used in advanced clinical research, academic, and medical careers, which typically require master’s degrees, doctorates, or postgraduate experience as prerequisites. Biochemistry majors can pursue these advanced health and medical careers through further degree programs such as:

• Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
• Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)
• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
• Master of Science in Physician Assistant (PA)
• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
• PhD

These graduate programs deal heavily in science, math, statistics, and research, so the foundation of a bachelor’s in biochemistry is one of the most popular ways to prepare for them.

Highest-Paying Biochemistry Careers

The traditional biochemistry careers with the highest salaries include advanced research and medical practice careers. Biochemists working in commercial laboratories increase their salary over years of experience and through gaining unique or field-specific skills or certifications.

Salary potential for biochemical scientists and researchers increases in high-demand industries like energy and tech. Here’s an overview of the highest-paying jobs that biochemistry majors can pursue and their annual average salary:

• Environmental Scientist - $76,530
• Physical Scientist - $82,090
• Materials Scientist - $100,090
• Biochemist - $102,270
• Scientist/Senior Research Associate - $111,188
• Pharmacologist - $124,480
• Clinical Scientist - $127,059
• Natural Sciences Manager - $137,900
• General Physician - $242,190
• Clinical Research Consultant - $459,436

These advanced researcher and medical practitioner roles require education and experience beyond the entry-level career prep of a bachelor’s in biochemistry. A well-rounded bachelor’s-level education can also prepare students to explore starting a business based on their biochemistry expertise.

Unique Careers for Biochemistry Majors You May Not Think About

Bachelor’s in biochemistry degree programs can lead to entry-level and advanced medical and natural scientist roles in industry, academia, government, and more. There are also opportunities to move into lab management or self-employment.

You might not assume so, but many more extremely creative and fulfilling career paths can stem from majoring in biochemistry. Explore some of these unique careers that are possible with a bachelor's degree in this field.

Writing and Publishing

Students in biochemistry major programs learn how to write complex papers, reports, and journal articles. This ability to convey scientific information effectively prepares you well for scientific writing careers.

Science writing careers can look like staff or freelance writing for science news publications or contributing scientific articles to traditional news outlets. Biochemistry majors can also pursue grant writing, an essential role contributing to the success of research institutions and private companies. As your skills grow, you may find opportunities beyond scientific publishing spaces in more generalized writing and editing roles.

Sales

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies employ salespeople to ensure the success of their medical devices, products, or new drugs. With a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, you’ll have an exceptional ability to describe and explain these products, answer questions about their use, and convey their value to prospective buyers and consumers.

Sales representatives may work in an office or as traveling representatives. After working an entry-level biochemical sales job, you may learn the skills to progress to management positions or even start your own business in sales.

Management

Laboratories in every industry employ managers who deal with administrative tasks like scheduling and budgets. With a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, you can begin in entry-level lab positions and then pivot to facility and lab management backed by your knowledge of regulations and ability to manage and work with people.

Depending on the workplace, you may be able to become a lab facility manager with only a bachelor’s, but some employers may seek applicants with further scientific or management training.

Law

Biochemistry degree programs often cover content in toxicology and forensic science. This coursework can be the start of both forensic science careers as well as professions that merge with law and criminal justice.

You could work as a forensic lab technician for law enforcement agencies, eventually drawing on years of experience to be used as an expert witness in trials. Or, you could pursue law school. Lawyers with biochemistry experience can use their knowledge to inform criminal trials or expertly represent biochemical or biotech firms.

Pursue a Career-Focused Biochemistry Bachelor’s Degree

York College of Pennsylvania’s Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biochemistry degree program exemplifies the kind of rigorous scientific and professional training that helps students discover which career path in biochemistry is right for them.

With the wealth of future job possibilities available to biochemistry students, York College’s expert faculty and industry partnerships guide students through exploratory internships and research experiences that fuel groundbreaking careers in fields from pharmaceuticals to biomedicine.

Request more information about becoming a Biochemistry major at York College of Pennsylvania.