What Jobs Can You Get With a Bachelors Degree in Zoology?

<p>Bachelor's degrees in zoology are typically awarded as a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree depending on the specific track students pursue. There are a variety of career options available with a bachelor's degree in zoology. Among your options, laboratory technicians, zoologists and wildlife biologists, veterinarians, and biology teachers are some of the best options. Laboratory technicians assist scientists in a lab setting by performing tests and synthesizing chemicals, as well as observing the behavior of lab animals. Zoologists and wildlife biologists study animals in their natural habitats to identify and catalog them for scientific purposes. Veterinarians provide medical care for animals. Biology teachers educate students in multiple grade levels on basic and advanced biology and science concepts. </p> <p>The table below provides details for some career options: </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> </th><th> Laboratory Technician </th><th> Zoologist/Wildlife Biologist </th><th> Veterinarian </th><th> Biology Teacher</th></tr> <tr><td> <b>Degree Required</b> </td><td> Bachelor's degree </td><td> Bachelor's degree </td><td> Doctor of Veterinary Medicine </td><td> Bachelor's degree</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Licensure</b> </td><td> State license </td><td> N/A </td><td> State license </td><td> State license</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Job Growth (2020-2030)</b> </td><td> 11% growth* </td><td> 5% growth* </td><td> 17% growth* </td><td> 8% growth <i>(high school teachers)</i>*</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Median Salary (2020)</b> </td><td> $54,180* </td><td> $66,350* </td><td> $99,250* </td><td> $62,870 <i>(high school teachers)</i>*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---WhatIsABachelorSDegreeProgramInZoology">What is a Bachelor's Degree Program in Zoology?</h3> <p>A bachelor's degree program in zoology is a 4-year biological science program that focuses on the study of animals and their health, habitats, and behavior. Undergraduate zoology programs award either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.). </p> <p>A B.S. in Zoology program can prepare you for a career as a laboratory technician. If you're interested in exploring policy, law or communications careers related to animals, a B.A. in Zoology program may be right for you. Both programs cover subjects such as biology, chemistry, ichthyology, herpetology, ornithology, entomology, and mammalogy. </p> <p>An undergraduate pre-med zoology program may be your best choice if you plan to continue your education and become a veterinarian. Many colleges also offer zoology programs tailored to students who plan to continue their studies in medical school. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatKindOfCareerCanIHave">What Kind of Career Can I Have?</h3> <p>Earning a bachelor's degree in zoology can lead to many career paths. You can translate your study of living organisms to work with animals in a laboratory. Tasks might include taking fluid samples and observing the behavior of animals. </p> <p>Teaching is also a possibility. With some additional courses and teacher training, you could work as a biology teacher. If you prefer to work outdoors, you could seek a career as a naturalist at a local, state, or national park and teach visitors about that park's wildlife, plants, and historic characteristics. As a wildlife biologist, you could work for the U.S. Forest Service assessing wildlife resources. </p> <p>If you're looking for a science policy job, you might want to try a government agency or conservation organization, where you could analyze environmental and wildlife regulations and enforce related laws. You could also work as a staff officer for the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, developing policies related to food inspection. </p> <h3 id="section---WhereShouldILookForAJob">Where Should I Look for a Job?</h3> <p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the industries with the highest level of employment for zoologists and wildlife biologists include local, state and federal government (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). Jobs working in the computer systems design and related services had the highest average salary for these occupations in 2018, followed by the federal government, as reported by the BLS. If government is not for you, then you may want to check out private industry, such as science consulting firms or research and development services. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreSomeOtherCareers">What Are Some Other Careers?</h3> <p>Biological technicians are similar to lab technicians, doing the same or similar job but focused exclusively on assisting biological and medical scientists. While you may need additional schooling, those who choose to pursue a similar career to veterinarians could become doctors or medical scientists, providing medical care to humans and doing scientific research aimed at furthering our knowledge of human health, respectively. Biology teachers are needed in more locations than just the high school classrooms. You could instead be hired for elementary or middle school, and may qualify to become a college professor depending on your education and experience.</p>