Biological engineering vs. biology are easy to confuse. If you don't want to make that mistake, read on. 

"Biologist" is an umbrella term encompassing many professions involving studying life and living things. Biological engineers, conversely, use engineering principles for biological study and problem-solving applications. 

Here, we dive deeper into the difference between biological engineering and biology. We examine the duties, requirements, and career outlook for each profession. 

What do biological engineers do?

Biological engineering's goals are solving biological problems and enhancing biological processes to better suit societal needs. 

Biological engineers design and create technologies that help us analyze, understand, improve, and use biological systems. They may work with agriculture, animals, environmental, and microbial systems. 

Biological engineers specialize in many areas, including:

• Medical technologies
• Food supplies
• Physiological functions and processes
• Energy-efficient technologies
• Energy systems

They may work with advanced models, machines, instrumentation, gene manipulation, artificial organs, or molecular and nanomaterial technologies.  

Their daily tasks may include research, programming, designing models, or performing statistical analysis. 

Biological engineers may go hands-on by developing and testing equipment or devices, taking measurements, or installing equipment and providing support. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), biological engineers commonly work in manufacturing, healthcare, life sciences, and education. 

What do biologists do?

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Biologists study all types of plant and animal life. 

They can specialize in subdisciplines, such as aquatic, marine, zoology, wildlife, botany, and molecular biology. Biologists strive to better understand the living world so society can preserve, benefit from, and live in harmony with other living things. 

Biologists conduct extensive research on living organisms and their environments. Their work environment depends on their specialization and study focus, which may take them to the ocean floor, zoos, farms, or laboratories. 

They may study living samples, examine ecosystems, work with models and simulations, or conduct field experiments.

A typical day for a biologist may include modeling and analysis, investigation, researching, or fieldwork. 

According to ONet, biologists primarily work for the government and the professional and technical services industry. Other industry opportunities include education and consulting services. 

Comparing biological engineers and biologists

Biological engineering and biologist careers differ in requirements and outlooks. Below, we explore these differences in detail. 

Required education

Biological engineers

According to the BLS, biological engineering usually requires candidates to have an engineering bachelor's degree at minimum, typically in a field such as biomedical or biological engineering. 

Specific employers and positions may require a graduate degree or extensive experience for employment. 

Before graduation, students can gain experience through co-ops or internships. Employers value practical experience from within hospitals, laboratories, research, and fieldwork. 

Biologists

Biologists need a bachelor's degree at minimum for many jobs. Most professionals in this field have a master's degree. 

Master's degrees typically qualify graduates for investigative scientific positions, whereas a Ph.D. qualifies them for academic positions.

Biologists may also need extensive fieldwork experience, which they can gain via internships, fieldwork and research teams, and volunteering.

• What is the difference between biological and chemical engineering?

Salary comparison

Biological engineers

The median annual salary for bioengineers was$92,620 in May 2020. The top 10% in the field earned more than$149,440, whereas the lowest 10% earned less than$56,590.

Biological engineering salaries vary by industry, too, with instruments manufacturing paying median annual wages of$104,050, medical equipment manufacturing paying$94,960, and life sciences research and development paying$93,630. 

Biologists

Biologist salaries vary by role