How much does a life sciences (pre-health) earn in British Columbia?

Roughly $60,010 in the first years and $87,360 by year five (BC median, before tax). Source: WorkBC NOC 21110 (Job Bank BC wages 2025); UBC 2026/27 domestic Science tuition.

How long does it take?

About 4 years, first real paycheque in about 4 years.

University degree

Life sciences (pre-health)

Q: What does it cost in BC?

About $30,300 in tuition and fees; typical debt if you borrow $18,000. Wage figures are for professional biologists, which usually needs a graduate degree; many BSc grads start closer to $45,000-50,000 in lab or non-science roles.

BSc (Biology / Life Sciences)

Numbers for 24 of 30 verified for BC; "start something" routes use national figures · How we verify

Trades go through SkilledTradesBC (4 levels, Youth Train in Trades lets you start Level 1 in high school). Numbers from WorkBC and Job Bank BC, BCIT, VCC and UBC.

Years to credential4

First real paycheque~4 years

Time in a classroom85%

Total cost$30,300

Typical debt after$18,000

Demand in BCSteady

The first ten years

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Mostly in schoolEarning

Earnings by year, roughly

British Columbia median before tax. Overtime, location and specialisation change this a lot. Net by year 10 after program cost: $435k, low to high $360k to $507k.

What's in "net by year 10"

Earnings, years 1 to 10	$465k	4 years at $0 while in school, then $60,010 rising to $87,360 by year five, flat after
Program cost	−$30k	tuition and fees
Typical (medians)	$435k	the number on the card
Low to high	$360k to $507k	pay 15% under or over the median, cost 15% more or 10% less

Not counted: income tax, rent, food, loan interest, inflation, and unemployment gaps. They apply to every route, so they change the size of each number more than the order. Pay is the British Columbia median before tax from the sources on this page.

The picture

What the day-to-day isBiology, chemistry and stats; large lecture halls; research opportunities if you seek them out.

What actually stops peopleGetting in is fine. Getting into medicine, dentistry or pharmacy afterwards is the real filter, and most don't.

The downsideOn its own, the degree leads to lab-tech or sales roles at modest pay. It is a stepping stone, and the step is steep.

If you're the parentRight if your child is committed to a professional program afterwards. Have a plan B conversation before, not after, four years.

Local opportunities in British Columbia

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How to enter

What you need

Courses: Biology, Chemistry, Advanced Functions
Average around 75+

Deadlines in BC

EducationPlannerBC: most deadlines January 15 to March 15; some programs rolling
StudentAid BC opens in spring

Next steps in British Columbia

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In British ColumbiaWage figures are for professional biologists, which usually needs a graduate degree; many BSc grads start closer to $45,000-50,000 in lab or non-science roles.

www.workbc.ca · students.ubc.ca

✓ Verified 2026-10-09 for BC Sources: WorkBC NOC 21110 (Job Bank BC wages 2025); UBC 2026/27 domestic Science tuition

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