Skip to content
Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Molecular and Cellular Biologists

Part of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, in the Science and Mathematics pathway.

Bright outlookJob zone 5: extensive preparationO*NET 19-1029.02

What the work is

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

On a typical day

  • Verify all financial, physical, and human resources assigned to research or development projects are used as planned.
  • Evaluate new supplies and equipment to ensure operability in specific laboratory settings.
  • Develop guidelines for procedures such as the management of viruses.
  • Coordinate molecular or cellular research activities with scientists specializing in other fields.
  • Supervise technical personnel and postdoctoral research fellows.
  • Provide scientific direction for project teams regarding the evaluation or handling of devices, drugs, or cells for in vitro and in vivo disease models.

What it pays

$93,740
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $50,690
Experienced workers reach $139,070
  1. $51k10th
  2. $66k25th
  3. $94kMedian
  4. $120k75th
  5. $139k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $50,690, 25th $65,500, Median $93,740, 75th $120,080, 90th $139,070

About 150 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+26.7%

employment change in the Alamo region, 150 to 190 jobs · U.S. +1%

16

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 4,800

150

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 63,700

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Science5.0
  2. Reading Comprehension5.6
  3. Writing5.0
  4. Critical Thinking4.9
  5. Speaking4.8
  6. Active Listening4.6
  7. Judgment and Decision Making4.6
  8. Complex Problem Solving4.1

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. Bachelor's degree35%
  2. Master's degree8%
  3. Doctoral or professional58%

Job zone 5, extensive preparation: A graduate or professional degree, usually after a bachelor's.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • Northeast Lakeview
  • Northwest Vista
  • Palo Alto
  • St. Philip's
  • San Antonio
  1. Biology

    Transfer pre-major · Science & Technology

  2. Biology: Pre-Professional

    Transfer pre-major · Health & Biosciences

  3. General Science

    Transfer pre-major · Science & Technology

  4. Nutrition

    Transfer pre-major · Health & Biosciences

  5. Biology

    Transfer pre-major · Health & Biosciences

  6. Biology

    Degree · Transfer pre-major · Science & Technology

  7. Biology

    Transfer pre-major · Science & Technology

  8. Biology

    Transfer pre-major · Science & Technology

  9. Biology: Pre-Professional

    Transfer pre-major · Health & Biosciences

Apply to Alamo Colleges

Does this fit you?

Six questions rank every career here by how closely its interest profile follows yours.

Check my interests
  1. Geneticists

    Zone 59 Alamo programs Bright outlook

    $94kSan Antonio median
  2. Biochemists and Biophysicists

    Zone 5 Bright outlook

    $111kSan Antonio median
  3. Bioinformatics Scientists

    Zone 59 Alamo programs Bright outlook

    $94kSan Antonio median
  4. Microbiologists

    Zone 4 Bright outlook

    $81kSan Antonio median
  5. Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

    Zone 59 Alamo programs Bright outlook

    $77kSan Antonio median
  6. $95kSan Antonio median
  7. Biologists

    Zone 59 Alamo programs Bright outlook

    $94kSan Antonio median
  8. Cytogenetic Technologists

    Zone 41 Alamo program

    no wage published