Over the last decade, biotechnology has emerged as a major global industry. Even the Great Recession could not completely quell its slow but steady growth, and an increasing number of drug approvals by the FDA has created major interest and growth in the field. Spanning everything from pharmaceutical development to medical device manufacturing to agricultural technology, biotechnology is quickly becoming a necessity to participating in the global economy. These are the top ten biotech job markets by number of positions posted on ZipRecruiter.
Top Jobs: Sr. Project Manager (Medical Device), Principal Biostatistician, Clinical Data Manager
Already a leader in the global economy, New York is utilizing its existing talent pool, academic institutions, medical facilities, and central location to nurture biotech research and development. Construction on The Alexandria Center for Life Science, a collaborative office/laboratory research space, began in 2009; the Center aims to facilitate support of the majority of the nation’s pharmaceutical industry, as well as other local advanced life science technology.
Top Jobs: Clinical Trial Manager, Statistical Programmer, Research Associate
Home to some of the first biotech companies in the nation and a trailblazer in the tech field overall, San Francisco is still a leader in the industry with established institutions, investor interest, and a continual influx of talent from nearby schools. Tax exemptions granted for biotech companies have encouraged further growth in Mission Bay, and kept the local industry thriving.
Top Jobs: Clinical Trial Manager, Senior Staff Scientist, Chemist
The high technology industry has been key in revitalizing the economy as well as the community in Philadelphia, especially through the expansion of the University Science Center. The Center has reportedly garnered billions in income and created thousands of jobs for the city. Paired with a below average cost of living and fairly low competition, Philadelphia is emerging as a strong alternative to some more established, and more expensive, tech hubs.
Top Jobs: Clinical Trial Manager, Clinical Data Manager, Scientist
The Washington metro area is best known in the biotech field as the home to the National Institutes of Health, but the region also supports the industry through other businesses and facilities like Human Genome Sciences, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and MedImmune.
5. Chicago, IL
Top Jobs: Chemist, Microbiologist, Project Manager
Illinois is at the center of the Midwest bioscience hub, and the high tech industry has bounced back in Chicago since its Recession-era decline with the help of state funding. The resultant growth has encouraged private investors and entrepreneurs to bring their business back to the area, and as the home to established companies like Abbott Laboratories, AbbVie Inc., and Actavis, Chicago is becoming a major player in the biotech field.
Top Jobs: Clinical Research Associate, Biologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist
World class academic and research institutions like University of California, San Diego and Scripps have helped fuel biotech growth in this so-cal metro area, and with over 400 biotech companies it rivals historical industry leaders like San Francisco in research and development.
Top Jobs: Director of Clinical Operations, Clinical Research Associate Monitor, Senior Analytical Chemist
Los Angeles’ renowned educational institutions have long produced graduates qualified in the biotech field, but this talent as well investment capital have historically gone to the northern and southern tech hubs of San Francisco and San Diego because of LA’s lack of sufficient infrastructure to support the industry. In February, The Los Angeles Biotech Summit brought together academic, business, and government leaders to discuss a city-wide focus on nurturing the biotech industry through a commitment to the construction of biotech corridors throughout the county. These efforts to retain talent and take advantage of existing research centers has led to positive growth in the industry locally, and points to more.
Top Jobs: Project Manager, Manufacturing Process Technician, Bioanalytical Chemist
The bulk of Thousand Oaks’ biotech sector is dominated by Amgen, the world’s biggest independent biotechnology firm and top employer in the area.
9. San Jose, CA
Top Jobs: Clinical Research Associate, Director – Life Sciences, Clinical Data Manager
Rapid expansion in San Francisco’s high tech industry is proving beneficial to San Jose as well, as increasingly limited real estate forces business south. With the upcoming move of California’s Stem Cell Agency from San Francisco to Oakland, San Jose and the southern San Francisco region are poised for major growth in the biotech industry.
10. Seattle, WA
Top Jobs: Clinical SAS Programmer, Research Associate, Chemistry Technical Director
Seattle began concerted efforts toward cultivating its biotech industry in 2006 with its announcement of a major overhaul in the The South Lake Union neighborhood. Now home to 55 companies that employ 7,600 people, the region is rapidly driving the local industry.
The Top Biotech Jobs By Volume, With Their Average Salary:
- Scientist – $117,585
- Chemist – $51,710
- Project Manager – $84,857
- Laboratory Technician – $16.87 per hour
- Clinical Research Associate – $60,880
- Associate Scientist – $61,830
- Clinical Trial Manager – $96,868
- Quality Control Technician – $15/hr
- Analytical Chemist – $51,433
- Microbiologist – $49,012
