Careers in Entomology

If your fascination with insects goes beyond mere curiosity, you may be interested in exploring careers that can transform your passion into a lucrative profession. Entomology is a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) field focused on studying insects and their interactions in various environments.

With STEM careers projected to grow by 10.8% from 2022 to 2032, achieving a fulfilling entomology career that also offers financial stability is entirely within your reach. Entomology offers a wide range of career options tailored to different interests.

Career Options By Specialization

Below, we’re exploring four specializations within this dynamic field and detailing potential roles, daily responsibilities and salaries to help you identify the right fit for you.

In 2022, there were 249 million cases of malaria around the world, resulting in 608,000 deaths. Malaria and other vector-borne diseases are transmitted by arthropods, such as mosquitoes. But malaria isn’t the only vector-borne disease that infects humans daily, and medical entomologists play a critical role in fighting the spread of these diseases and improving public health.

Medical entomology focuses on insects and arthropods that negatively impact human health, such as mosquitoes and ticks. The University of Florida offers several specializations in entomology, including medical entomology. Through tailored online courses, students gain key skills that prepare them for roles in medical entomology, as they:

  • Classify mosquitoes and master key aspects of entomology, including ecology, physiology, population dynamics, mosquito-borne disease and control.
  • Explore the arthropods that have impacted human health and those that have disrupted livestock production, pets and wildlife through disease transmission.
  • Identify common insects and explain their anatomy, physiology and impact on the environment.

Below, we highlight a few well-respected, lucrative roles in the field of medical entomology:

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists play a crucial role in monitoring the spread of infectious diseases. With a specialized background in medical entomology, you can focus your research on vector-borne diseases to lower the number of cases and prevent future outbreaks.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of an epidemiologist will vary depending on where you work and the focus of your research, but general duties may include:

  • Defining population groups for research and evaluation.
  • Supervising the preparation and application of projects.
  • Examining data from observations and surveys.
  • Collecting and analyzing samples of blood from infected patients.
  • Analyzing and reporting on the results of studies.

Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average salary for epidemiologists is $81,390. The job outlook is expected to grow at an accelerated pace of 27% through 2032, with a significant increase in available positions in this role.

Laboratory Technician and Technologist

In the medical entomology space, lab techs work alongside entomologists and physicians to conduct tests and perform research that help diagnose, treat and prevent vector-borne diseases. They work in a variety of settings, including research labs, government agencies and universities.

Responsibilities

Some of the daily responsibilities of lab techs include:

  • Testing and analyzing bodily fluids.
  • Operating and maintaining routine lab equipment.
  • Recording data from tests.
  • Discussing results with physicians.

Salary

The BLS states that the median pay of a clinical lab tech or technician is $60,780 per year. In addition, the outlook for this career is expected to increase by 5% through the year 2032.

Other Careers

There are several other related careers to consider in this sector of entomology as well, such as:

  • Vector control specialist
  • Public health entomologist
  • Global health specialist

Do you excel at keeping unwanted pests from vegetation, whether it’s a backyard garden or a large-scale agricultural operation? What about removing invasive insects from beautifully kept landscaping or keeping kitchen spaces clear of general household pests?

With a specialized graduate credential in urban pest management or landscape pest management, you’ll learn several must-have skills in the industry, such as:

  • Identifying urban or landscape pests and their biology.
  • Developing pest management options for various settings and insects.
  • Integrating pest management practices into building maintenance or landscaping practices.
  • Communicating pest-related hazards to humans and pets.

Below, we discuss some popular careers that our online graduate certificate or master’s degree can prepare you for:

Integrated Pest Management Specialist

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a pest-reduction approach that concentrates on the long-term management of pests through several strategies that aim to minimize environmental, health and economic risks. IPM specialists are knowledgeable about pest biology, their life cycles and how they interact with the environment, which helps them best address each pest problem they encounter.

Responsibilities

As an IPM specialist, some of your responsibilities will include:

  • Maintaining an in-depth understanding of common pesticides and insecticides as well as their uses and application.
  • Overseeing a team of technicians as they implement pest control measures.
  • Leading trainings on IPM-related topics, such as pest diseases, identification and treatment.
  • Maintaining and operating pesticide and insecticide equipment.
  • Communicating with clients to understand their pest control needs and explain your team’s course of action.

Salary

According to Payscale, the average annual base salary for integrated pest management specialists is $52,000.

Pest Control Manager

As a pest control manager, you’ll oversee a team of pest management professionals. Under your guidance, your team will work to eliminate insect and rodent infestations in residential, industrial and commercial settings.

Responsibilities

A true leadership role, the pest control manager is responsible for numerous important daily tasks, such as:

  • Developing treatment plans tailored to a range of pest problems and settings.
  • Ensuring all pest control team members comply with state and federal regulations.
  • Maintaining proper handling and storage of pest control products and equipment.
  • Keeping detailed records of the services provided for each customer.
  • Training employees about the most up-to-date pest prevention techniques and educating clients on how to maintain a pest-free home.

Salary

As of June 2024, ZipRecruiter’s average national salary for a pest control manager is $42,957.

Other Careers

There are numerous other careers in the adaptive field of pest management that may align with your interests and skill set, including:

  • Pesticide applicator
  • Wildlife control operator
  • Urban pest management specialist

Careers in Beekeeping

Beekeeping has become increasingly popular in recent years, with around 115,000 hobbyist beekeepers in the United States managing their own hives. In addition, the number of professional beekeepers has nearly doubled since 2012.

Whether you’re currently beekeeping as a hobby and you’d like to turn it into a career or you’re brand new to the world of apiculture, the University of Florida offers both an online graduate certificate and online master’s degree program specializing in beekeeping. This program prepares you for a successful career as a beekeeper by equipping you with advanced apiary skills and providing the knowledge needed to start your own beekeeping business, giving you the opportunity to become the CEO of your own apiary enterprise.

Our beekeeping specialization empowers students with several fundamental skills that are paramount in apiculture, including:

  • Developing management options for controlling predators that threaten honey bees.
  • Comparing management practices to achieve a variety of beekeeping goals.
  • Describing the biology of honey bees individually and at the colony level.

One of the most popular roles in beekeeping is that of the commercial beekeeper. In this position, you’ll manage either a number of hives, with the actual amount depending on the scale of your operation. Small-scale commercial beekeepers often manage 50 to a few hundred hives on their own, whereas a medium-scale beekeeper might be responsible for an exponentially higher number.

Operating as a full-time beekeeper, you’ll have numerous responsibilities to oversee, such as:

  • Producing and harvesting honey in large quantities for various markets, including local, national and even international.
  • Providing pollination services for large-scale crops.
  • Breeding bees to sell to other beekeepers.
  • Selling other bee products, like beeswax and pollen.
  • Ensuring the health of each bee colony by regularly inspecting hives for disease and food supply.

As the owner of a beekeeping business, you can earn a rewarding income that has the potential to steadily increase. According to the BLS, CEOs earn an average of $103,840 per year.

Other Careers

In addition to being a commercial beekeeper, there are several other enticing careers to consider in the world of beekeeping:

  • Apiary inspector
  • Beekeeping supply business owner
  • Apiary manager

Whether you’re a forensic entomologist playing a critical role within a homicide unit or pursuing excellence as a world-class entomology professor, let’s dive into a few potential entomology careers:

Entomologist

As an entomologist, you can explore diverse fields such as agriculture, public health, conservation and academia. General entomologists possess advanced knowledge in insect biology, behavior, classification and ecology, applying their expertise across professional environments in a range of specialties.

Responsibilities

As an entomologist, your daily responsibilities may consist of the following:

  • Studying the roles insects play in ecosystems and assessing their impact on environmental and human habitats.
  • Researching insect physiology and investigating how insects interact with other organisms.
  • Creating strategies for controlling pests that negatively impact forestry, agriculture and urban environments.
  • Educating the public about the importance of insects, including how they benefit and can potentially harm different environments.
  • Studying insect genetics to understand how they adapt to environmental changes.

Salary

According to the BLS, entomologists fall under the category of wildlife biologists, who make an average of $70,600 annually. In addition, their job outlook is expected to grow at the rate of 3% through 2032.

Postsecondary Educator

One of the most popular career choices for those interested in entomology is a role in postsecondary education. As a college entomology professor, you can impart your expertise to eager students who aspire to pursue careers in this fascinating field.

Responsibilities

Whether you’re a high school educator specializing in entomology or enlightening students at the collegiate level, below are a few of the tasks you’ll be responsible for:

  • Crafting course outlines.
  • Providing instruction and creating assignments that align with your lessons.
  • Assessing students’ understanding of the material by providing and grading quizzes, exams and other assignments.
  • Advising students on academic and career-related topics, helping them to select courses and providing letters of recommendation for careers or internships.

Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, postsecondary teachers earn an average annual salary of $84,380. The job outlook is also expected to increase by 8% through 2032.

Other Careers

Entomology isn’t a one-size-fits-all career. Once you’ve narrowed your focus onto a sector of the industry that matches your passions and skillset, there are several unique careers to choose from, including:

  • Forensic entomologist
  • Veterinary entomologist
  • Conservation entomologist

The University of Florida: Your Path to a Rewarding Career in Entomology

There are numerous opportunities to become successful in the field of entomology. Whether you’re at the start of your career or looking to expand in your current role, UF offers several online graduate credentials tailored to busy working professionals interested in deepening their understanding of entomology.

With four distinct specializations to choose from, you can earn an online graduate certificate or master’s degree in the specialization that aligns with your current path and interests. Each graduate certificate comprises 15 credits focused on your chosen area of expertise. You can further enhance your skill set by choosing electives that complement your career goals.

In contrast, the online master’s degree in entomology (with a specialization of your choice) is 30 credits. This includes 15 core credits covering general entomology and 15 credits dedicated to your chosen specialization. Upon graduation, you’ll earn not one, but two graduate credentials:

  • A Master of Science in Entomology and Nematology
  • A Graduate Certificate (in the specialization of your choice)

Choose from the following specializations:

If you have any lingering questions, please reach out and we’ll get back to you with a response as soon as we can. If you’re ready to jump into the next phase of your career, your application is only a click away.

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Learn More About the Program

Click for details about the Entomology and Nematology program.