A science degree equips you with the skills you need for a fulfilling career to tackle the global challenges that confront us in the 21st century.
Reducing the impacts of climate change, curing illnesses, advancing economic policy, developing life-saving drugs, protecting the environment, exploring space frontiers – all goals are achievable with a strong base of scientific knowledge.
Learn to think like a scientist
Learning to think like a scientist will set you up to be analytical, capable, and above all, highly employable.
As a scientist your analytical and problem-solving skills are valued by employers, making you in demand across many sectors. You will work in an ever-evolving range of roles relying on observation, experimentation, and the testing and development of new ideas and products.
UQ Science graduates not only work in fields including chemistry, biochemistry, ecology, genetics, psychology and statistics but also in finance, IT and business globally.
As jobs change, so will the skills we need for those jobs. Thinking like a scientist is underpinned by skills that employers are looking for, such as collaboration and teamwork, oral and written communication, ethical reasoning, and quantitative skills to apply mathematical and statistical thinking.
Enjoy long-term success
Did you know that 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 haven't even been invented yet?1
Employment opportunities are growing in the roles that are hardest to automate – roles that are knowledge based and require uniquely human skills such as creativity, strategic thinking, problem solving, data analysis and interpretation, emotional intelligence, leadership, research, communication and collaboration.
Fast facts about studying science
- 75% of growing employment areas in Australia require scientific training2
- Demand is high for agricultural scientists with 6 jobs to every agricultural university graduate in Australia3
- The Australian Civil Space Strategy (2019–2028) will create 20,000 roles in the space sector by 20304
- Unemployment for science graduates over 30 years old is less than 3%5
- 92% of environmental specialists are employed on graduation6
A lucrative career
It’s not all about the money, but a science career can be financially rewarding.
In January 2024, the average annual salary for scientist jobs in Australia ranged from $85,000 to $105,000 (source: employment website SEEK).
We’ve listed a range of job titles that require a science education below, with their average annual salaries provided by SEEK. By no means an exhaustive list!
Agriculture and animal sciences
- Agricultural technician $70,000
- Agronomist $100,000
- Animal attendant $58,000
- Animal technician $65,000
- Botanist $95,000
- Farm manager $105,000
- Farm supervisor $78,000
- Livestock manager $88,000
- Park ranger $70,000
- Produce manager $63,000
- Veterinarian $110,000
- Veterinary officer $105,000
Browse agriculture and animal sciences career profiles
See also:
What can you do with an agribusiness degree?What's it really like to study agribusiness and agriculture at UQ?Agricultural science careersAnimal science careersWildlife science careersVeterinary technology careers Agriculture vs agribusinessExplore agriculture and animal study options at UQ
Environment
- Biosecurity officer $80,000
- Ecologist $90,000
- Environmental consultant $80,000
- Environmental manager $145,000
- Environmental scientist $90,000
- GIS officer $80,000
- Health & safety manager $150,000
- Health & safety adviser $125,000
- Meterologist $85,000
- Quality adviser $125,000
- Site supervisor $125,000
- Site manager $145,000
- Works manager $115,000
Browse environment career profiles
See also:
Why study environmental science? Environmental science careers What's it really like to study environmental science at UQ? Why study geography? Explore environment study options at UQ
Science and mathematics
- Biostatistician $125,000
- Botanist $95,000
- Food technologist $78,000
- Forester $85,000
- Geophysicist $100,000
- Laboratory analyst $70,000
- Laboratory supervisor $95,000
- Laboratory technician $75,000
- Mathematician $90,000
- Microbiologist $80,000
- Modeller $110,000
- Scientist $95,000
- Statistician $88,000
Browse science and maths career profiles
See also:
What jobs can you do with a Bachelor of Science? What's it really like to study science at UQ? What will I learn in a food science program at UQ? What can you do with a food science degree? Careers in food science Molecular biology careers Explore science and mathematics study options at UQ