16 Science Majors (and Related Careers) to Consider

When you major in science, you can build a broad base of knowledge to draw from across a wide variety of subjects, including biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, psychology, medicine, engineering, computing, and many others. Depending on which subject you choose, you could end up working in areas like health care, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, food production, environmental protection, energy, manufacturing, IT, education, law, finance, marketing, management, and more.

Common science majors

While the exact list of available science majors will typically vary from one university to the next, you’re likely to find some common majors at most four-year universities. Some of the most common science majors include:  

• Agriculture: Study of growing crops and raising livestock 

• Astronomy:  Study of celestial objects and the physical universe 

• Biology: Study of life 

• Biochemistry: Study of chemistry as it relates to living organisms

• Biophysics: Study of physics as it relates to biological phenomena

• Cellular biology: Study of cells 

• Chemistry: Study of matter

• Earth science: Study of the planet Earth  

• Ecology: Study of the relationship between organisms and their environments

• Genetics: Study of genes and heredity in living organisms

• Kinesiology and exercise physiology: Study of human movement

• Meteorology: Study of the atmosphere and weather forecasting

• Microbiology: Study of microscopic organisms 

• Physical science: Study of nonliving materials  

• Physics: Study of matter and its motion and behavior 

• Zoology: Study of animals  

Read more: What Is a STEM Degree? And What Can You Do With One?What types of jobs can I get with a science major? 

Majoring in science can open you up to hundreds of careers across all industries. Here are some of the most common science majors [1] and the types of jobs you could pursue with a degree in the field:  

*All salary data represents average salaries (base pay + additional compensation) in the United States according to Glassdoor, June 2023.

Biology

As a biology major, your career options include becoming a biologist, going to medical school, and the following roles: 

• Medical manager: $92,467

• Food scientist: $57,620

• High school teacher: $53,414

• Forensic science technician: $42,920  

• Clinical laboratory technician: $52,098

• Health educator: $51,540

• Biological technician: $42,047

Kinesiology and exercise science

If you’re interested in a career where you get to help people reach their potential or improve their quality of life, a degree in kinesiology and exercise science could be a good fit. As you learn more about the movement of the human body, you’ll build a foundation for careers like:

• Health services manager: $86,776

• Exercise physiologist: $56,800

• Physical therapist assistant: $68,696

• Athletic trainer: $58,801 

• Health education specialist: $55,376

• Recreational therapist: $48,875

• Massage therapist: $53,564

Chemistry 

We’re surrounded by matter, so studying chemistry quite literally opens up a world of possibilities for career options, both inside and outside of a lab environment. Careers you might pursue as a chemistry major include:  

• Chemical engineer: $100,737

• Toxicologist: $118,147

• Chemist: $63,593

• Brewmaster: $121,280

• Chemical technician: $45,782

• Environmental science and protection technician: $45,287

Earth science  

These days, as more and more focus shifts to the environment, you may find that one of these potential careers for earth science majors interests you: 

• Atmospheric scientist: $63,877 

• Geoscientist: $84,535

• Environmental engineer: $101,304

• Hydrologists: $106,290

• Environmental scientist: $86,832

• Seismologist: $53,234

• Conservation scientist: $74,782

Read more: 5 Jobs That Help Fight Climate Change

Outlook for jobs in science 

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that careers in life, physical, and social science will grow at a rate of 7 percent between 2021 and 2031 [2]. Careers in biomedical research and environmental protection are expected to be in high demand.  

Health care jobs, which often require a science degree, will also likely be in high demand, according to the BLS. It's expected that the United States will add 2 million new health care positions between 2021 and 2031, more than any other industry [3]. 

Next steps 

Considering a degree in science? Take a course from a top university to experience firsthand if it’s a good fit. Once you sign up for Coursera, you can explore more than 7,000 courses, many of which are free to audit. Here are a few popular courses to get you started:

• The Science of Well-Being from Yale

• Genes and the Human Condition (from Behavior to Biotechnology) from the University of Maryland

• Chemistry from the University of Kentucky