By Sheran Brown
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June 24, 2025
The Life Sciences Workforce Collaborative (LSWC) has released the 2025 Life Sciences Workforce Trends Report—offering one of the most comprehensive pictures to date of the hiring, training, and talent dynamics shaping the future of the industry. Developed in partnership with TEConomy Partners, LLC , and supported by InnovATEBIO , this seventh edition of the biennial report is based on a rich set of national data: ● Survey responses from over 500 life sciences companies across 30 states and Puerto Rico ● Executive interviews with more than 200 industry leaders ● Analysis of 2.9 million unique job postings from the past four years Together, these inputs paint a nuanced picture of a sector in transition—where innovation is thriving, but economic pressures and rapid technological change are forcing organizations to rethink their workforce strategies. Slower Growth, But Not a Slowdown in Strategy The report finds that after several years of rapid post-pandemic hiring, the U.S. life sciences industry experienced a modest employment contraction of 0.3% in 2024. Hiring has become more strategic, and companies are shifting focus from volume to value—investing in automation, workforce upskilling, and future-forward technologies. Despite the hiring slowdown, long-term growth indicators are strong: more than $200 billion in U.S. life sciences manufacturing and R&D investments have been announced by major companies including Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Merck, Regeneron, and others. These expansions point to sustained demand for a skilled, resilient, and adaptable workforce. AI, Automation, and the Rise of Hybrid Talent One of the clearest trends in the report is the growing integration of AI, machine learning, and industrial automation across R&D, regulatory, and manufacturing operations. Larger companies are leading adoption, but small and mid-sized firms are quickly following. As these technologies become embedded in daily workflows, employers are seeking “bilingual” workers—those with both technical life sciences expertise and digital fluency. From AI-powered regulatory documentation to predictive maintenance in biomanufacturing, tomorrow’s workforce must be prepared to operate at the intersection of science and software. --- Upskilling, Not Just Hiring With lower turnover and cautious new hiring, many life sciences companies are turning inward—investing more heavily in their existing workforce. Employers report increasing reliance on internal training, microcredentialing, and competency-based assessments, particularly for technical production roles, quality assurance, and regulatory functions. Performance-based credentialing programs, like those offered by the Bioscience Core Skills Institute (BCSI), are helping bridge gaps between traditional education and job-readiness—especially for entry-level and mid-career talent. STEM Engagement Surging Nationwide The report also highlights a remarkable rise in employer involvement in STEM education. Compared to two years ago, more than twice as many companies report engaging with K–12 students through classroom visits, mentorship programs, science fairs, and summer camps. At the postsecondary level, internships, co-op programs, and apprenticeships are helping to build direct pathways into the workforce. Nearly 80% of companies surveyed are actively offering internships to students from four-year institutions, and nearly two-thirds to community college students. This surge in engagement reflects a broader industry focus on ensuring a future-ready talent pipeline—starting early and growing local. Why This Report Matters For employers, educators, and policymakers, the 2025 Life Sciences Workforce Trends Report is more than a snapshot—it’s a strategic tool. With workforce challenges affecting everything from drug development to supply chain resilience, coordinated, data-informed action is more urgent than ever. “This report illustrates a new era in workforce dynamics—where slower overall growth is paired with opportunity in key areas, growing emphasis on upskilling, and a shift toward technology-integrated roles,” said Liisa Bozinovic, Executive Director of Oregon Bio and Chair of LSWC. “At BIO, we are proud to support these efforts and to champion policies that strengthen our industry’s talent pipeline, from the classroom to the lab and beyond,” added John Crowley, President & CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). “As noted by the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, keeping pace with the rapidly evolving skills and talent needs of the biotechnology sector is essential to U.S. leadership in this industry,” said Linnea Fletcher, Principal Investigator at InnovATEBIO. “Our national network of advanced technical education programs is working nimbly to build the next generation of biotech talent—one that is diverse, industry-aligned, and ready to power the biotechnology revolution.” --- Access the Full Report The full 2025 Life Sciences Workforce Trends Report is now available to download: https://www.lifesciencesworkforce.org/national-workforce-trends To learn more about the Life Sciences Workforce Collaborative and how your organization can engage, visit: www.LifeSciencesWorkforce.org Follow LSWC on social media for highlights and updates: 🔹 Twitter/X: X: @LifeSciWork 🔹 LinkedIn: Life Sciences Workforce Collaborative 🔹 Instagram: @lifesciworkforce 🔹 YouTube: @lifesciworkforce
