Biologist Jobs in California
Biologist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, environmental consulting, and public health across a range from entry-level research associate to senior scientist. The largest hiring hubs are the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where employers like Genentech, Pfizer, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife maintain ongoing demand for biological scientists. Genomics, ecology, and regulatory affairs are the most consistently sought specializations across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 71+ Biologist jobs
Welcome to Verdantas, where innovation meets sustainability, and your career finds purpose!
At Verdantas, we’re redefining environmental consulting and sustainable engineering through our use of cutting-edge modeling and digital technology and our genuine commitment to people. Our work spans high-growth sectors like water resources, resilient land use, energy transformation, and civil infrastructure.
Our commitment to excellence, across more than 90 offices, is championed by a team of over 2,000 experts, scientists, engineers, geologists, and technical specialists, embedded in a people-focused culture, prioritizing the well-being of our employees, clients, and the communities we serve. We partner with clients to deliver smart, data-driven solutions to complex environmental and infrastructure challenges. We don’t just solve problems; we help shape a more sustainable future.
Join a people-first culture that values your well-being, empowers your growth, and amplifies your impact. At Verdantas, your career goes beyond the expected, and your work helps build a better world.
Ready to shape the future of resilient communities?
Responsibilities:
- Conduct environmental inspections and construction monitoring for special status wildlife and plants,
nesting bird surveys and biological assessments.
- Maintain and establish relationships with clients, regulatory agencies, and construction crews to
complete reporting requirements.
- Lead and contribute to business development activities, including proposals, pre-qualifications, and
relationship building with clients and prospective clients and industry colleagues.
- Develop, manage, and implement projects related to wetlands, biophysical impact assessments,
environmental assessments, and regulatory approvals.
- Manage your project cycles from project set up to breakdown (developing cost estimates, managing
field staff, tracking project budgets and deliverables).
- Provide supervision, training, technical direction and mentoring to field biologists.
- Use of GPS units and aerial photographs for project navigation and collect field data.
- Taking photographs and detailed notes of site conditions.
- Understanding of project environmental requirements and associated laws protecting biological
resources.
- Prepare high quality technical reports and environmental documents.
- Participate in Health & Safety Policies (HASP), Procedures, Standards and Guidelines in the execution
of all work.
- Frequent field work, often requiring overnight stays
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in environmental biology, wildlife management, botany, or closely related field.
- 10+ years of relevant experience in restoration and environmental consulting.
- Special-status species experience.
- Established relationships with local, state, and federal permitting agencies.
- Familiar with CEQA, NEPA, CESA, CWA Compliance processes and permitting including Initial Study Biological Assessments.
- Demonstrated experience leading and reviewing biological technical reports, environmental impact
evaluation, siting reports, and environmental permit applications, including field surveys and reporting,
and resource and impact evaluations.
- Demonstrated experience leading environmental permitting of energy facilities, pipelines, and/or linear infrastructure projects in the western United States including: USACE 404 wetland permitting, CDFW 1600 Agreements and CESA permitting, RWQCB 401 certifications, and other environmental
permitting.
- Prior experience with waters, wetlands, fisheries preferred.
- Prior experience with wildlife and/or botanical targeted surveys required.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience with MS Office.
Competencies:
- Strong aptitude for independently coordinating and accomplishing difficult tasks.
- Effective and concise communication.
- Strong leadership and relationship building skills.
- Ability to delegate effectively.
- Must have a satisfactory driving record.
- Must provide declaration of auto insurance (CA state-minimum required) upon hire.
- Must complete a background check.
Physical Requirements
- Required to sit or stand at an office workstation, sometimes for extended periods.
- Required to work on keyboard, using mouse while looking at computer screens/monitors, sometimes
for extended periods.
- Comfortable working physically challenging outdoor situations in all types of weather and traveling on a
regular basis to project sites which may require overnight stays.
- Able to perform field work on uneven terrain.
- Required to work with tools.
- Be able to lift up to 25 lbs.
Salary Range:
$50.00/hour
Benefits:
- Flexible Work Environment
- 401(k) with Company Match
Verdantas strives to develop new ways to increase diversity awareness within our organization. We recruit and reward our employees based on capability and performance — regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, lifestyle, age, educational background, national origin, religion, or physical ability. For us, it is imperative to build balanced teams from all walks of life and we believe that a diverse workforce is a stronger workforce.
Verdantas is an EOE race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet
Welcome to Verdantas, where innovation meets sustainability, and your career finds purpose!
At Verdantas, we’re redefining environmental consulting and sustainable engineering through our use of cutting-edge modeling and digital technology and our genuine commitment to people. Our work spans high-growth sectors like water resources, resilient land use, energy transformation, and civil infrastructure.
Our commitment to excellence, across more than 90 offices, is championed by a team of over 2,000 experts, scientists, engineers, geologists, and technical specialists, embedded in a people-focused culture, prioritizing the well-being of our employees, clients, and the communities we serve. We partner with clients to deliver smart, data-driven solutions to complex environmental and infrastructure challenges. We don’t just solve problems; we help shape a more sustainable future.
Join a people-first culture that values your well-being, empowers your growth, and amplifies your impact. At Verdantas, your career goes beyond the expected, and your work helps build a better world.
Ready to shape the future of resilient communities?
Responsibilities:
- Conduct environmental inspections and construction monitoring for special status wildlife and plants,
nesting bird surveys and biological assessments.
- Maintain and establish relationships with clients, regulatory agencies, and construction crews to
complete reporting requirements.
- Lead and contribute to business development activities, including proposals, pre-qualifications, and
relationship building with clients and prospective clients and industry colleagues.
- Develop, manage, and implement projects related to wetlands, biophysical impact assessments,
environmental assessments, and regulatory approvals.
- Manage your project cycles from project set up to breakdown (developing cost estimates, managing
field staff, tracking project budgets and deliverables).
- Provide supervision, training, technical direction and mentoring to field biologists.
- Use of GPS units and aerial photographs for project navigation and collect field data.
- Taking photographs and detailed notes of site conditions.
- Understanding of project environmental requirements and associated laws protecting biological
resources.
- Prepare high quality technical reports and environmental documents.
- Participate in Health & Safety Policies (HASP), Procedures, Standards and Guidelines in the execution
of all work.
- Frequent field work, often requiring overnight stays
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in environmental biology, wildlife management, botany, or closely related field.
- 10+ years of relevant experience in restoration and environmental consulting.
- Special-status species experience.
- Established relationships with local, state, and federal permitting agencies.
- Familiar with CEQA, NEPA, CESA, CWA Compliance processes and permitting including Initial Study Biological Assessments.
- Demonstrated experience leading and reviewing biological technical reports, environmental impact
evaluation, siting reports, and environmental permit applications, including field surveys and reporting,
and resource and impact evaluations.
- Demonstrated experience leading environmental permitting of energy facilities, pipelines, and/or linear infrastructure projects in the western United States including: USACE 404 wetland permitting, CDFW 1600 Agreements and CESA permitting, RWQCB 401 certifications, and other environmental
permitting.
- Prior experience with waters, wetlands, fisheries preferred.
- Prior experience with wildlife and/or botanical targeted surveys required.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience with MS Office.
Competencies:
- Strong aptitude for independently coordinating and accomplishing difficult tasks.
- Effective and concise communication.
- Strong leadership and relationship building skills.
- Ability to delegate effectively.
- Must have a satisfactory driving record.
- Must provide declaration of auto insurance (CA state-minimum required) upon hire.
- Must complete a background check.
Physical Requirements
- Required to sit or stand at an office workstation, sometimes for extended periods.
- Required to work on keyboard, using mouse while looking at computer screens/monitors, sometimes
for extended periods.
- Comfortable working physically challenging outdoor situations in all types of weather and traveling on a
regular basis to project sites which may require overnight stays.
- Able to perform field work on uneven terrain.
- Required to work with tools.
- Be able to lift up to 25 lbs.
Salary Range:
$50.00/hour
Benefits:
- Flexible Work Environment
- 401(k) with Company Match
Verdantas strives to develop new ways to increase diversity awareness within our organization. We recruit and reward our employees based on capability and performance — regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, lifestyle, age, educational background, national origin, religion, or physical ability. For us, it is imperative to build balanced teams from all walks of life and we believe that a diverse workforce is a stronger workforce.
Verdantas is an EOE race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet
See All 71 Biologist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Biologist JobsBiologist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Biologist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in biologist jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, or a closely related life science field
- Experience with laboratory techniques such as PCR, cell culture, or microscopy
- Proficiency in data analysis using R, Python, or statistical software packages
- Knowledge of California environmental regulations and agency permitting processes
- Strong written communication skills for scientific reports and regulatory submissions
- Familiarity with field sampling protocols and California native species identification
Biologist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a biologist in California?
Most biologist positions in California require at minimum a bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, zoology, or a related life science. No single state license applies to all biologists, but environmental and wildlife roles often require California Department of Fish and Wildlife permitting knowledge, and some specialized positions benefit from certifications such as the Professional Wetland Scientist credential. Graduate degrees are increasingly expected for senior research or public agency roles.
How much do biologists make in California?
Biologists in California earn a median of about $113,530 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $69,770 for the lowest 10% to over $189,710 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire biologists in California?
Employers hiring biologists in California right now include Dudek, LatchBio, and Bancroft Construction Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's dense concentration of biotech firms, state wildlife agencies, and environmental consulting companies means openings appear consistently across both private and public sectors.
Which California cities have the most biologist jobs?
San Francisco, Irvine, and San Bernardino have the most biologist openings in California. The Bay Area and San Diego lead because of their established biotech and pharmaceutical corridors anchored by major research campuses, while Los Angeles draws volume from environmental consulting firms and public health agencies serving one of the country's largest metro populations.
Are there remote biologist jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Most biology work is inherently hands-on, involving laboratory procedures, field sampling, or in-person collaboration. About 60% of biologist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with those opportunities concentrated in data analysis, regulatory writing, and bioinformatics roles that do not require a physical lab or field presence.
How can I get hired as a biologist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to research associate or biological science technician roles, which are common at California state agencies such as the California Department of Public Health and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Internship and seasonal field technician programs at these agencies and at large California environmental consulting firms provide structured experience. A strong academic project portfolio, relevant coursework in California ecology or molecular biology, and any field or lab volunteer work give early-career candidates a measurable edge.
Where can I find and apply to biologist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to biologist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and experience levels. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and location, and apply directly to the employer through the listing.
See All 71 Biologist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Biologist Jobs