Biological and biomedical sciences are among the fastest-growing fields right now, with roles in healthcare, research, environmental conservation, and even technology. And if you’ve ever thought about building a career in this field but don’t want to spend the next decade in medical school, you’re not alone. More students than ever are exploring biological and biomedical science careers with online degree programs. These options are surprisingly wide!
Not long ago, people dismissed online science degrees as second-tier. But today, accredited nonprofit colleges are offering the same rigorous curriculum online that you’d find on campus, sometimes with added flexibility and lower costs.
In this article, we’ll walk through the best biological and biomedical science careers with online degree programs. From lab jobs to fieldwork, from healthcare support to data analysis, you’ll see just how many online biological science degree careers are available.
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Why Choose an Online Biological or Biomedical Science Degree?
Biological and biomedical science online programs aren’t watered-down versions of traditional degrees. The same professors teach them, cover the same material, and often use virtual labs or hybrid practicums for hands-on experience. The difference is how accessible they are.
- Flexibility: You can log into class from home, study at night, and fit learning around your life.
- Affordability: Many nonprofit universities price their online programs lower than campus tuition. You also save on commuting and housing.
- Work while studying: Lots of students keep their full-time jobs while completing courses, so you’re not forced to choose between income and education.
- Credibility: Accreditation ensures employers and grad schools recognize your degree.
For people who can’t relocate or leave behind family or work responsibilities, pursuing an online degree in biomedical science jobs presents a flexible path to enter the field without putting life on hold.
Top Careers You Can Pursue with an Online Biological Science Degree
There are plenty of biological science jobs you can get online once you earn a degree from an accredited program.
Here are the top 10 jobs with a biological science degree online you can pursue.
1. Biological Technician
- Role: Support scientists in labs by preparing experiments, analyzing samples, and documenting results.
- Average Annual Salary: $52,000
- Requirements for Entry: A bachelor’s degree in biological science or a related field.
- Advancement/Settings: Work in government agencies, research universities, or private labs; with experience, you can move into senior technician or lab management roles.
2. Biomedical Laboratory Technologist
- Role: Run diagnostic tests, analyze medical samples, and support disease research.
- Average Annual Salary: $61,890, with higher pay for specialists.
- Requirements for Entry: A bachelor’s degree in biomedical or biological sciences, sometimes paired with professional certification.
- Advancement/Settings: Opportunities to specialize in microbiology, immunology, or move into lab management.
3. Environmental Scientist
- Role: Study ecosystems, pollution, and sustainability challenges, often advising on conservation and renewable resource use.
- Average Annual Salary: $80,060
- Requirements for Entry: A bachelor’s degree in environmental biology, ecology, or sustainability science.
- Advancement/Settings: Work in government, nonprofit, or consulting; demand continues to grow with climate change and sustainability concerns.
4. Medical or Clinical Research Associate
- Role: Monitor clinical trials, collect and analyze data, and ensure compliance with research protocols.
- Average Annual Salary: $73,000
- Requirements for Entry: A bachelor’s degree in biomedical or biological sciences.
- Advancement/Settings: Employment in hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, or research organizations, with pathways into project management or senior trial oversight roles.
5. Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
- Role: Build relationships with healthcare providers, explain drug benefits, and influence prescribing decisions.
- Average Annual Salary: $100,070
- Requirements for Entry: A bachelor’s degree in biology, biomedical sciences, or related fields, plus strong communication skills.
- Advancement/Settings: Work with pharmaceutical or biotech companies; advancement can lead to sales management or regional director roles.
6. Forensic Science Technician
- Role: Collect and analyze evidence, perform lab tests, and sometimes testify in court to support criminal investigations.
- Average Annual Salary: $67,440
- Requirements for Entry: A bachelor’s degree in forensic science, biology, or chemistry.
- Advancement/Settings: Typically employed by police departments, government labs, or medical examiners’ offices; senior positions may involve supervising labs or specialized evidence work.
7. Health Educator or Community Health Specialist
- Role: Develop and deliver health programs, promote disease prevention, and support communities in adopting healthier lifestyles.
- Average Annual Salary: $63,000
- Requirements for Entry: A bachelor’s degree in health education, biology, or public health; some states require the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential.
- Advancement/Settings: Work in schools, hospitals, nonprofits, or government agencies; advancement into public health program management is common.
8. Biostatistician
- Role: Design studies, analyze biological and medical data, and uncover trends to guide healthcare decisions.
- Average Annual Salary: $104,110
- Requirements for Entry: A bachelor’s degree in biomedical science, statistics, or data science; many roles prefer or require a master’s.
- Advancement/Settings: High demand in research institutions, hospitals, and government health agencies; advancement into senior data scientist or research director roles.
9. Quality Control Analyst in Biotech or Pharma
- Role: Test products, monitor safety compliance, and prevent costly errors in biotech, pharma, or medical device companies.
- Average Annual Salary: $81,324, depending on industry and experience.
- Requirements for Entry: A bachelor’s degree in biomedical science, biology, or chemistry; knowledge of regulatory frameworks is highly valued.
- Advancement/Settings: With experience, you can move into regulatory affairs, quality assurance management, or compliance leadership.
10. Wildlife Biologist
- Role: Study animal populations, assess habitats, and contribute to conservation efforts through field and lab research.
- Average Annual Salary: $72,860, though government or nonprofit roles may pay less.
- Requirements for Entry: A bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, or wildlife science.
- Advancement/Settings: Often employed by government agencies, nonprofits, or research groups; advancement may include senior research roles or policy advisory positions.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the top online biological science degree careers:
| Career | Salary (Average from BLS) | Entry Requirements | Where You Work |
| Biological Technician | $52,000 | Bachelor’s in biological science | Labs in gov’t, universities, private firms |
| Biomedical Lab Technologist | $61,890 | Bachelor’s in biomedical sciences; sometimes certification | Hospitals, diagnostic labs |
| Environmental Scientist | $80,060 | Bachelor’s in environmental biology/ecology | Gov’t, nonprofits, consulting |
| Clinical Research Associate | $73,000 | Bachelor’s in biomedical/biological sciences | Pharma companies, hospitals, CROs |
| Pharmaceutical Sales Rep | $100,070 | Bachelor’s in biology/biomed + communication skills | Pharmaceutical & biotech firms |
| Forensic Science Technician | $67,440 | Bachelor’s in forensic science, biology, or chemistry | Police departments, crime labs |
| Health Educator | $63,000 | Bachelor’s in health/public health; CHES in some states | Schools, hospitals, community programs |
| Biostatistician | $104,110 | Bachelor’s in biomed/statistics (master’s preferred) | Research institutions, hospitals, gov’t |
| Quality Control Analyst | $81,324 | Bachelor’s in biomed, biology, or chemistry | Biotech, pharma, and medical device companies |
| Wildlife Biologist | $72,860 | Bachelor’s in biology/ecology (master’s sometimes) | Gov’t, nonprofits, conservation groups |
Advantages of Starting These Careers with an Online Degree
Choosing an online path doesn’t just make education more convenient. It can actually make your path to exploring biomedical science degree career options smoother.
- Lower student debt: Nonprofit online colleges often charge less, and working while studying helps avoid loans.
- Faster completion: Accelerated formats let motivated students finish in 2–3 years instead of 4.
- Accessibility: Students in rural areas or with family obligations can still earn respected science degrees.
- Career flexibility: Many of these careers in biological sciences online don’t require graduate school, so you can start earning sooner.
Skills You’ll Gain in an Online Biological or Biomedical Science Program
It’s not just about the degree title. It’s about what you can actually do with it. Online programs emphasize skills that employers value:
- Laboratory techniques: From pipetting and sample prep to data logging.
- Research and analysis: Critical thinking, experimental design, and drawing evidence-based conclusions.
- Communication: Writing clear scientific reports, presenting findings, and explaining science to non-scientists.
- Problem-solving: Applying biology knowledge to real-world challenges, from healthcare to conservation.
How to Choose the Right Online Program
If your goal is to break into high paying biological science careers in fields like research, healthcare, or biotechnology, the first step is picking an online degree program that fits your goals and learning style.
- Accreditation: Make sure the university is regionally accredited and ideally nonprofit.
- Specializations: Look for programs aligned with your career goals—like forensic science, environmental biology, or biotechnology.
- Hands-on opportunities: Even online, many schools offer virtual labs, local internships, or short on-campus residencies.
- Support services: Check for career advising, tutoring, and networking opportunities for online students.
Conclusion + Call To Action
If you’re interested in science but don’t want to spend years in med school, there are plenty of biological and biomedical science careers without medical school that let you work in research labs, public health, or biotech. And thanks to online biological and biomedical science programs, you can prepare for these jobs without uprooting your life.
But keep in mind that an online degree isn’t an easy shortcut. You’ll still need to put in just as much effort as on-campus students. The main advantage, though, is that you usually get a more flexible schedule.
