Careers and Salary

The career opportunities open to students with a degree in biochemistry, and biotechnology have never been greater.  The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development predicts that employment in the life sciences will grow between 22% and 30% in the next decade. 

In 2004 the average salary for an employee working in the biosciences industry in the United States was over $65,000 per year.  This was $26,000 per year more than the average salary in all other industries.  Growing the life science economy is a priority for the United States and for the State of Minnesota.

Minnesota is a major international center in the medical device industry and has a growing biotechnology industry.  This means that jobs openings for Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D. level employees will continue to grow over the next decade.  Traditionally, more than half of MSUM bioscience graduates continue their education at the professional or graduate level.

The companies employing biochemistry and biotechnology graduates in Minnesota range in size from start-ups to major international corporations.  They include major international corporations such as:  Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Cargill,  3M, and St. Jude’s Medical.  They also include growing local companies such as:  R&D Systems, Surmodics, LifeCore Biomedical,

Traditionally, more than 50% of MSUM bioscience graduates continue their education at the professional or graduate level.