16 Science Majors (And Related Careers) to Consider

Key takeaways

• Common science majors include agriculture, biology, chemistry, earth science, ecology, meteorology, physics, and more.

• Computer science majors focus on computer programming fundamentals and often include courses in software development, operating systems, web development, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

• Computer science majors can work in various roles, including software engineer, web developer, systems analyst, machine learning engineer, and data scientist.

Other common science majors you can consider include kinesiology, genetics, and zoology. Explore science majors, career paths, and median salaries in the following article.

What are the types of science majors?

When you major in science, you can build a broad base of knowledge to draw from across various subjects, including biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, psychology, medicine, engineering, computing, and many others. Depending on which subject you choose, you could work in areas like health care, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, food production, environmental protection, energy, manufacturing, information technology (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:

1. Agriculture: Study of growing crops and raising livestock

2. Astronomy: Study of celestial objects and the physical universe

3. Biology: Study of life

4. Biochemistry: Study of chemistry as it relates to living organisms

5. Biophysics: Study of physics as it relates to biological phenomena

6. Cellular biology: Study of cells

7. Chemistry: Study of matter

8. Earth science: Study of the planet Earth

9. Ecology: Study of the relationship between organisms and their environments

10. Genetics: Study of genes and heredity in living organisms

11. Kinesiology and exercise physiology: Study of human movement

12. Meteorology: Study of the atmosphere and weather forecasting

13. Microbiology: Study of microscopic organisms

14. Physical science: Study of nonliving materials

15. Physics: Study of matter and its motion and behavior

16. Zoology: Study of animals

Majoring in science can open you up to hundreds of careers across all industries. Some of the

most common science majors and the types of jobs you could pursue with a degree in the field include the following [1].

* All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of September 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Biology major

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

• Medical manager: $102,000

• Food scientist: $115,000

• High school teacher: $68,000

• Forensic science technician: $58,000

• Clinical laboratory technician: $60,000

• Health educator: $68,000

• Biological technician: $52,000

Kinesiology and exercise science major

If you’re interested in a career where you can help people reach their potential or improve their quality of life, a kinesiology and exercise science degree 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: $116,000

• Exercise physiologist: $73,000

• Physical therapist assistant: $72,000

• Athletic trainer: $90,000

• Health education specialist: $66,000

• Recreational therapist: $76,000

• Massage therapist: $96,000

Chemistry major

We’re surrounded by matter, so studying chemistry 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: $133,000

• Toxicologist: $200,000

• Chemist: $118,000

• Chemical technician: $59,000

• Environmental science and protection technician: $60,000

Earth science major

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: $114,000

• Geoscientist: $149,000

• Environmental engineer: $133,000

• Hydrologist: $141,000

• Environmental scientist: $88,000

• Seismologist: $112,000

• Conservation scientist: $124,000

Computer science major

As a computer science major, you can gain a foundation in computer programming fundamentals as well as specialized emerging technologies. You can expect to study areas including software development, operating systems, programming languages, web development, and artificial intelligence applications, which can prepare you for jobs such as software engineer, web developer, systems analyst, machine learning engineer, information technology project manager, systems engineer, data scientist, and more.

Outlook for jobs with science degrees

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that careers in life, physical, and social sciences will grow by 141,900 openings annually between 2025 and 2035 [2]. Careers in biomedical research and environmental protection will remain in high demand.

According to the BLS, health care jobs, which often require a science degree, will also likely be in high demand. The United States is expected to add 1.9 million new health care positions each year between 2025 and 2035, more than any other industry [3].

Learn more: 14 High-Demand Jobs

Stay current on trending science-related topics

If you’re considering a career in the sciences, subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat, to stay current on trending topics, along with insights into emerging career paths, in-demand skills, and new technologies. You can also explore our other free resources to learn more about this exciting field.

• Hear from industry professionals: Mastering the Future: Andrew Femrite’s Vision for Engineering

• Read our Career Chat issue: Food Science: What It Is and Types to Try

• Watch on YouTube: What Can You Do with a Computer Science Degree?

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