Botany graduates earn $49,245 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,017 and $64,200. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
This page covers Botany as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Biology and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Botany is a focused area of study within Biology. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $49,245 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 80 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 743 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$31,861
Median Earnings · 4yr
$49,245
Colleges Offering
80
Graduates / Year
743
Avg Net Price / yr
$17,427
How Much Do Botany Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Botany, a typical graduate earns $49,245, below average for bachelor's degree holders. Half of earners land somewhere between $35,017 and $64,200, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $31,861 at one year out to $49,245 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$49,245
4-Year National Median
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$54,246
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Botany graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Specialization and credential level drive most of the gap. Advanced practice roles (nurse practitioners, CRNAs, physician assistants) anchor the top; entry-level clinical and support roles sit at the bottom.
$35,01725th pct.
$49,245Median
$64,20075th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $49,245 and an estimated $69,708 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.6 years.
Based on outcomes from 57 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 743 students who complete Botany programs each year, the majority (47%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
47%23%29%
Bachelor's47%
Doctorate29%
Master's23%
What Can You Do With a Botany Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Botany graduates show up in 3 different occupations, and Natural Sciences Managers pay the most at $167,220/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.
Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
Provide information or recommendations to farmers or other landowners regarding ways in which they can best use land, promote plant growth, or avoid or correct problems such as erosion.
Top Colleges for Botany
Not sure where to study Botany? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Botany graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Biology Programs
Botany is not the only path through Biology: 14 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Botany program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Botany carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 3 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $31,861 at graduation to $49,245 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +8.2% over the next decade, with Natural Sciences Managers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 15,300 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Modest median earningsFour-year median of $49,245 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Licensure often requiredMost roles in this field require state licensure or certification before you can practice. Budget time and costs for board exams alongside your degree.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
High earnings varianceGap between 25th ($35,017) and 75th ($64,200) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.
Botany Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Botany graduates earn?
$49,245 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $35,017 and $64,200, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Botany degree?
$31,861 in the first year out. That grows to $49,245 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Botany degree?
Natural Sciences Managers are one path, and it pays a median of $167,220 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Botany program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Botany bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Botany?
80 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Botany degree worth it?
$49,245 median earnings four years out against $17,427 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Botany and Biology?
Botany is the narrower of the two: Biology covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Botany-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Botany graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Botany graduates consistently look for clinical judgment, patient communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Licensure, certifications, and supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Botany graduates?
Often, yes. Advanced degrees in this field (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy) typically come with significantly higher pay and a wider scope of practice, which is why most students in health fields eventually go back for one. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Botany graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +7.4% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Natural Sciences Managers are among the strongest-growth roles at +8.2%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
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