As of June 2026, Molecular and Cellular Biologists has an AI-exposure score of 61/100 (Elevated exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
More exposed than 69% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$98,920. About 4,800 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).
Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.
How you compare to similar Science roles
Your tasks, by AI exposure
- Monitor or operate specialized equipment, such as gas chromatographs and high pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers.
- Maintain accurate laboratory records and data.
- Prepare or review reports, manuscripts, or meeting presentations.
- Conduct research on cell organization and function, including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation.
- Develop assays that monitor cell characteristics.
- Compile and analyze molecular or cellular experimental data and adjust experimental designs as necessary.
- Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.
- Evaluate new supplies and equipment to ensure operability in specific laboratory settings.
- Evaluate new technologies to enhance or complement current research.
- Develop guidelines for procedures such as the management of viruses.
- Verify all financial, physical, and human resources assigned to research or development projects are used as planned.
- Instruct undergraduate and graduate students within the areas of cellular or molecular biology.
- Direct, coordinate, organize, or prioritize biological laboratory activities.
- Provide scientific direction for project teams regarding the evaluation or handling of devices, drugs, or cells for in vitro and in vivo disease models.
- Write grant applications to obtain funding.
- Conduct applied research aimed at improvements in areas such as disease testing, crop quality, pharmaceuticals, and the harnessing of microbes to recycle waste.
- Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results.
- Participate in all levels of bioproduct development, including proposing new products, performing market analyses, designing and performing experiments, and collaborating with operations and quality control teams during product launches.
- Coordinate molecular or cellular research activities with scientists specializing in other fields.
- Supervise technical personnel and postdoctoral research fellows.
No durable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as augmentable (75%).
Safer adjacent roles
Your AI-Safe Career Report
Every task scored with what to do about it · 5–10 safer roles with salary, demand & reachability · skill-gap map · a 30/60/90-day roadmap · plus a résumé & LinkedIn rewrite · PDF.
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Workers with AI skills earn a roughly 62% wage premium — adapting pays. — PwC Global AI Jobs Barometer, 2026
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