Biotechnology Degree Programs in Memphis, TN (2026)
Quick answer: The Memphis metro employs about 210 natural sciences managers (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing is set at the state level, through the employers and research institutions hiring in your area.
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 Tennessee 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.
We do not have campus-based schools on record within 250 miles of this area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Natural Sciences Managers Earn in Memphis
Natural Sciences Managers in the Memphis area earn a median $155,420 per year, below the national median of $167,220 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Biotechnology Pay in Memphis, TN
| Metric | Memphis metro | Tennessee | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $155,420 | $124,530 | $167,220 |
| 10th percentile | $83,420 | $66,280 | $79,710 |
| 25th percentile | $100,050 | $96,630 | $119,430 |
| 75th percentile | $184,680 | $180,570 | $221,540 |
| 90th percentile | $222,490 | $223,370 | $316,850 |
| Employment | 210 | 880 | 108,690 |
| Location quotient | 0.5 | - | 1.00 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metropolitan statistical area.
What the Numbers Say About This Market
The Memphis median of $155,420 is below the national median of $167,220, and above the Tennessee statewide median of $124,530 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The metro’s location quotient of 0.5 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 Tennessee Metro Areas
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville | $113,370 | 290 |
| Knoxville | $141,130 | 170 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do natural sciences managers make in Memphis?
The median annual wage for natural sciences managers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $155,420, below the national median of $167,220 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many natural sciences managers work in the Memphis area?
The Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area employs about 210 natural sciences managers (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Do natural sciences managers in Memphis 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 Memphis?
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 Memphis a better market than the rest of Tennessee?
The Memphis metro median is $155,420 against a statewide median of $124,530 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.
Related
- Biotechnology degree programs in Tennessee - statewide pay, licensing and metro comparison
- Biotechnology programs and how to choose one
- Chemist career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
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
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/.