Genetic engineers are highly trained experts who use a variety of molecular tools and technologies to rearrange fragments of DNA. The overall goal in doing so is to add or remove an organism’s genetic makeup for the better, or to transfer DNA code from one species into the other. The overall goal of this is to enhance organisms so that they are better able to thrive in certain environments. An example is when a plant is modified to thrive better in drought conditions or when a bacteria is adapted in such a way that it helps improve drug treatment.

Common job duties include:

Using tools to examine current DNA structures of organisms

Modifying those organisms in a laboratory setting

Maintaining a strong knowledge of all the latest genetic engineering news and breakthrough

Designing and executing experiments

Writing and publishing journalistic papers

Attending conferences related to a specific genetic engineering field

The job involves a lot of things, and usually, you will specialize in a very niche area of genetic science so that your attention is solely focused on that area throughout your career.

To become a genetic engineer, the bare minimum education requirement will be a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, or molecular genetics. However, in most cases, it will be much more beneficial to have a master’s or doctorate level degree in molecular genetics or molecular biology instead. Undergraduate degrees may provide an initial entry point into the field, but holding a Ph.D. is the primary path used to enter the field and conduct your own work.

Additionally, experience of at least 3 years in the field under the direct guidance of a supervisor will also be used to help gain employment. Obviously, different employers will have their own specific requirements but the points above make a good example of what you’ll need to enter the field.

Salaries vary greatly and generally run from $45,000 up to about $140,000. The average salary is about $82,800 annually. Again, your experience, your specific employer, and a variety of other things will have a big influence on your overall pay.