Cell Biologyat University of California-Berkeley
Graduates earn $43,270/yr in their first year — about 16.0% above the national Cell Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $629K; scenarios range from $561K to $638K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Berkeley
Berkeley's Cell/Cellular Biology program leverages the university's elite scientific reputation and unparalleled Bay Area location. Your education here is a rigorous foundation, preparing you for advanced research, biotech innovation, or further professional studies. The robust compensation figures reflect not just the academic rigor, but also direct access to a global hub of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies like Genentech and Amgen, plus top academic research institutions such as UCSF and Stanford.
While some foundational lab tasks in this field face automation, your Berkeley education equips you for the analytical, research, and leadership roles that define the future of biosciences, often in areas *leveraging* AI rather than being replaced by it. The strong local biotech ecosystem means opportunities exist to shape, not just perform, these roles. To maximize your potential, focus on securing early research opportunities and leveraging the Bay Area's unparalleled network to find mentors and internships.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UC Berkeley's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Cell Biology
How UC Berkeley stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Berkeley
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Berkeley, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Cell Biology at UC Berkeley
What does a 52/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Cell Biology at University of California-Berkeley?
At 52/100, University of California-Berkeley's Cell Biology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Cell Biology at University of California-Berkeley?
The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is University of California-Berkeley one of the best schools for Cell Biology?
Among 39 Cell Biology programs, University of California-Berkeley's #6 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.