Molecular and cellular biologists study the structure and function of cells and molecules to understand living systems. You'll analyze data, conduct research, and document findings. It requires a bachelor's degree and strong science skills, but opens doors to meaningful work in biotechnology and research.
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Molecular and cellular biologists investigate cells and molecules to understand how organisms work and develop treatments for disease. You analyze data and information from experiments, get information from scientific literature, and document your findings in detail. You work with computers to process information and update your knowledge as the field advances. The work is lab-based, detail-oriented, and requires you to think critically about complex biological systems and communicate your discoveries to colleagues.
Core work activities
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Molecular and Cellular Biologists earn a median of $98,920 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is modest. Employment is projected to grow 1 percent from 2024 to 2034, little or no change for all occupations, with about 4,800 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a bachelor's degree in biology, molecular biology, or a related field. Your coursework covers biology, chemistry, mathematics, and computer skills. During your studies, you'll develop strong reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking abilities through lab work and research projects. Many biologists pursue internships or research assistant roles while studying to build hands-on experience. After your degree, you may specialize further through graduate work or entry-level research positions.
Most paths start with a bachelor's degree in biology or a related science. If you're deciding between different schools or specializations, Pathly can map the molecular and cellular biologist path that fits you and work through your options with your counselor to find the best fit for your goals.
You do not need a license to work as a molecular and cellular biologist, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You're drawn to investigative work that involves solving puzzles through research and analysis. You enjoy working with data, reading deeply, and thinking critically about how things work at the molecular level.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).