Toxicologist
Also known as: toxicology studies research scientist, toxicology research scientist, toxicology scientist, toxicology studies scholar, toxicologists, toxicology researcher
About this occupation
Toxicologists study the effects that chemical substances or biological and physical agents have in living organisms, more specifically, on the environment and on the animal and human health. They determine doses of the exposure to substances for arising toxic effects in environments, people, and living organisms, and also perform experiments on animals and cell cultures.
A specialisation of biologist.
Essential skills and knowledge
- apply safety procedures in laboratory
- calibrate laboratory equipment
- work safely with chemicals
- mix chemicals
- perform toxicological studies
- laboratory techniques
- gather experimental data
- maintain laboratory equipment
- analytical chemistry
- scientific research methodology
- toxicology
- perform laboratory tests
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers (O*NET 17-2031.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment.
- Prepare technical reports, data summary documents, or research articles for scientific publication, regulatory submissions, or patent applications.
- Design or develop medical diagnostic or clinical instrumentation, equipment, or procedures, using the principles of engineering and biobehavioral sciences.
- Conduct research, along with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists, on the engineering aspects of the biological systems of humans and animals.
- Adapt or design computer hardware or software for medical science uses.
- Maintain databases of experiment characteristics or results.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Investigative, Realistic, Conventional
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking, Mathematics, Science
US median pay: US$109,370 a year (2025), 23,480 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (4.5)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (4.4)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyVery important (4.3)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsVery important (4.0)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignVery important (4.0)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (3.8)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.8)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryImportant (3.2)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Nanosystems Engineers
- Bioinformatics Scientists
- Biochemists and Biophysicists
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
- Bioinformatics Technicians
- Data Scientists
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Chemists
- Chemical Engineers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.