Biotechnology Degree Programs in Orlando, FL (2026)

Quick answer: Natural Sciences Managers in the Orlando area earn a median $99,660 per year, below the national median of $167,220, and the metro employs about 460 of them (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Biotechnology Pay in Orlando, FL

MetricOrlando metroFloridaNational
Median annual wage$99,660$112,220$167,220
10th percentile$60,030$62,660$79,710
25th percentile$73,250$77,150$119,430
75th percentile$157,010$165,110$221,540
90th percentile$203,000$216,330$316,850
Employment4604,370108,690
Location quotient0.46-1.00

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL metropolitan statistical area.

What the Numbers Say About This Market

The Orlando median of $99,660 is below the national median of $167,220, and below the Florida statewide median of $112,220 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

The metro’s location quotient of 0.46 means natural sciences managers are less concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.

Biotechnology employment is concentrated in a relatively small number of research and manufacturing clusters, so the local picture varies far more than most fields here.

Other Florida Metro Areas

Metro areaMedian annual wageEmployment
Miami$119,7001,230
Tampa$130,010570
Tallahassee$79,460360
Jacksonville$108,890330
Gainesville$119,410130
North Port$120,040110
Palm Bay$133,620100

Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

Licensing

Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. Biotechnology is not a licensed occupation. What regulates the work is the environment rather than the person: FDA good manufacturing practice and good laboratory practice govern process development and production roles, and employers train to them. The laboratory component of a biotechnology degree is hands-on and normally completed on campus.

See the Florida licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with the employers and research institutions hiring in your area.

Schools Near You

Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 7 schools within 164 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 7 of them carry a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#1

University of South Florida

Tampa, FL 71.2 miles away BOC Score 81.8
Tuition $6,410 - $22,859
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 43.2%
  • Graduation rate: 75.7%
  • Programs offered: 19
  • Annual completions: 1522
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $62,079 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL 164.3 miles away BOC Score 72.8
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
  • 777 Glades Rd, Administration Bldg., Room 339 Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991
  • (561) 297-3000
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 63.4% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 17
  • Annual completions: 1218
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $59,690 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, FL 141.8 miles away BOC Score 68.7
Tuition $6,118 - $25,162
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 63.4%
  • Graduation rate: 56.7%
  • Programs offered: 14
  • Annual completions: 750
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $59,369 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Santa Fe College

Gainesville, FL 105.8 miles away BOC Score 63.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 77
  • Annual completions: 1446
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $53,155 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Florida Southern College

Lakeland, FL 48.0 miles away BOC Score 55.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 69.9% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 7
  • Annual completions: 68
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $58,753 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Florida Institute of Technology

Melbourne, FL 52.4 miles away BOC Score 46.8
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 64.5% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 14
  • Annual completions: 387
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $90,403 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do natural sciences managers make in Orlando?

The median annual wage for natural sciences managers in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL metro area is $99,660, below the national median of $167,220 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

How many natural sciences managers work in the Orlando area?

The Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL metro area employs about 460 natural sciences managers (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Do natural sciences managers in Orlando need a license?

Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. Biotechnology is not a licensed occupation. What regulates the work is the environment rather than the person: FDA good manufacturing practice and good laboratory practice govern process development and production roles, and employers train to them. The laboratory component of a biotechnology degree is hands-on and normally completed on campus. Confirm current requirements with the employers and research institutions hiring in your area.

Can I study biotechnology online from Orlando?

The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies the employers and research institutions hiring in your area.

Is Orlando a better market than the rest of Florida?

The Orlando metro median is $99,660 against a statewide median of $112,220 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.

Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Natural Sciences Managers (SOC 11-9121), national, state and metropolitan estimates
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements

Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.


About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.