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Summary

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Video transcript available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEr_X2rDM-0.
Quick Facts: Biological Technicians
2023 Median Pay $51,430 per year
$24.73 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education Bachelor's degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training None
Number of Jobs, 2023 83,100
Job Outlook, 2023-33 7% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2023-33 5,500

What Biological Technicians Do

Biological technicians assist biological and medical scientists with tasks such as laboratory setup, data collection, and observation.

Work Environment

Biological technicians typically work in laboratories and offices. Most work full time.

How to Become a Biological Technician

To enter the occupation, biological technicians typically need a bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field.

Pay

The median annual wage for biological technicians was $51,430 in May 2023.

Job Outlook

Employment of biological technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 10,300 openings for biological technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for biological technicians.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of biological technicians with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about biological technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What Biological Technicians Do About this section

Biological technicians
Biological technicians prepare samples for further testing.

Biological technicians help biological and medical scientists with tasks such as laboratory setup, data collection, and observation. They also may analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

Duties

Biological technicians typically do the following:

  • Set up, maintain, and clean laboratory instruments and equipment, such as microscopes, scales, pipets, and test tubes
  • Gather and prepare biological samples, such as blood, food, and bacteria cultures, for laboratory analysis
  • Conduct biological tests and experiments
  • Document their work, including procedures, observations, and results
  • Analyze experimental data and interpret results
  • Write reports and maintain detailed records that summarize their findings

Biological technicians, sometimes called laboratory assistants, typically are responsible for doing scientific tests, experiments, and analyses under the supervision of biological scientists or medical scientists who direct and evaluate their work. Biological technicians use a variety of laboratory instruments and equipment to conduct experiments. They also use computer software to collect, analyze, and model experimental data.

Biological technicians work in many research areas. For example, technicians who assist medical researchers may administer new medicines and treatments to laboratory animals. Those who work with zoologists and wildlife biologists may separate proteins from animal cell material and analyze data from experiments. Technicians helping microbiologists may study living microbes and perform techniques such as staining specimens to aid identification.

Biological technicians also may work in industrial settings and assist in the study of a wide range of topics. For example, they may test samples in environmental impact studies or monitor production processes to help ensure that products are not contaminated.

Work Environment About this section

Biological technicians
Most biological technicians work in laboratories.

Biological technicians held about 83,100 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of biological technicians were as follows:

Scientific research and development services 31%
Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state 15
Federal government, excluding postal service 10
Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing 9
Hospitals; state, local, and private 8

Biological technicians typically work in laboratories and offices. Some biological technicians, such as those who assist the work of zoologists and wildlife biologists, collect samples in the field. They may need to hike rugged terrain or otherwise travel through wilderness areas, often while exposed to extreme weather or other harsh conditions.

Some experiments involve dangerous organisms or toxic substances. Biological technicians must follow procedures to avoid contaminating an experiment, themselves, or the environment.

Work Schedules

Most biological technicians work full time.

How to Become a Biological Technician About this section

Biological technicians
Most biological technicians gain laboratory experience while in school.

To enter the occupation, biological technicians typically need a bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field. Although less common, some positions are available to candidates who have less than a bachelor’s degree.

Education

Biological technicians typically need a bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field, such as physical science or natural resources. Positions are sometimes open to candidates who have less education than a bachelor's degree but have laboratory experience.

Biology programs typically include subfields such as ecology, microbiology, and physiology. In addition to studying biological sciences, students may need to take courses in math and physics, as well as in other sciences.

Students need laboratory experience, so science coursework should include a lab component. In addition, students may gain laboratory experience by participating in internships, such as with pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturers or in university laboratories.

Training

Laboratory equipment in the workplace is expensive and may differ from the equipment available in university laboratories. As a result, biological technicians may receive training after they are hired, with experienced biological scientists or medical scientists demonstrating proper use of their employers’ laboratory equipment.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Biological technicians who work with animals may need certification in animal care from the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This certification may include compliance training, such as in chemical hygiene and blood-borne pathogens.

Advancement

Biological technicians may advance to scientist positions, such as microbiologist or biochemist and biophysicist, after a few years of experience working as a technician or after earning a graduate degree. Gaining more experience and education may allow biological technicians to move into other positions, such as natural sciences managers.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Biological technicians need to conduct experiments and evaluate results to reach sound conclusions.

Communication skills. Biological technicians must follow instructions from managing scientists and interact with other team members. They also need to write reports.

Detail oriented. Biological technicians must be precise in their work, including recording the conditions under which the experiment was carried out, the procedures they followed, and the results they obtained.

Observational skills. Biological technicians must monitor their experiments and be alert for any changes that occur.

Technical skills. Biological technicians need to set up and operate sophisticated equipment and instruments. They also may need to adjust equipment to ensure that experiments are conducted properly.

Pay About this section

Biological Technicians

Median annual wages, May 2023

Life, physical, and social science technicians

$53,700

Biological technicians

$51,430

Total, all occupations

$48,060

 

Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

The median annual wage for biological technicians was $51,430 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $36,970, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $80,330.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for biological technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing $64,350
Scientific research and development services 59,040
Hospitals; state, local, and private 50,920
Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state 50,180
Federal government, excluding postal service 46,090

Most biological technicians work full time.

Job Outlook About this section

Biological Technicians

Percent change in employment, projected 2023-33

Biological technicians

7%

Life, physical, and social science technicians

6%

Total, all occupations

4%

 

Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Employment of biological technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 10,300 openings for biological technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Demand for biological and medical research is expected to increase the need for biological technicians. Synthetic biology is expected to create jobs for workers who redesign biological systems or living organisms for medical, manufacturing, and agriculture applications. Continued growth in biotechnology research and development projects, such as using cells to deliver drugs within the human body, is expected to support demand for biological technicians.

Employment projections data for biological technicians, 2023-33
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2023 Projected Employment, 2033 Change, 2023-33 Employment by Industry
Percent Numeric

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Biological technicians

 19-4021 83,100 88,600 7 5,500 Get data

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of biological technicians.

Occupation Job Duties ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION Help on Entry-Level Education 2023 MEDIAN PAY Help on Median Pay
Agricultural and food science technicians Agricultural and Food Science Technicians

Agricultural and food science technicians help scientists with testing and research related to plants, animals, fibers, and food and beverage products.

 Associate's degree $47,010
Biochemists and biophysicists Biochemists and Biophysicists

Biochemists and biophysicists study the chemical and physical principles of living things and of biological processes.

 Doctoral or professional degree $107,460
Chemical technicians Chemical Technicians

Chemical technicians conduct laboratory tests to help scientists analyze the properties of materials.

 Associate's degree $56,750
Environmental science and protection technicians Environmental Science and Protection Technicians

Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health.

 Associate's degree $50,660
Epidemiologists Epidemiologists

Epidemiologists are public health workers who investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury.

 Master's degree $81,390
Forensic science technicians Forensic Science Technicians

Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence.

 Bachelor's degree $64,940
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians perform medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.

 Bachelor's degree $60,780
Medical scientists Medical Scientists

Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health.

 Doctoral or professional degree $100,890
Microbiologists Microbiologists

Microbiologists study microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi.

 Bachelor's degree $85,470
Zoologists and wildlife biologists Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Zoologists and wildlife biologists study animals, those both in captivity and in the wild, and how they interact with their ecosystems.

 Bachelor's degree $70,600

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about career opportunities in the biological sciences, visit

American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS)

American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB)

American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB)

To find job openings for biological technicians in the federal government, visit

USAJOBS

CareerOneStop

For a career video on biological technicians, visit

Biological technicians

O*NET

Biological Technicians

Suggested citation:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Biological Technicians,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/biological-technicians.htm (visited December 04, 2024).

Last Modified Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2024

What They Do

The What They Do tab describes the typical duties and responsibilities of workers in the occupation, including what tools and equipment they use and how closely they are supervised. This tab also covers different types of occupational specialties.

Work Environment

The Work Environment tab includes the number of jobs held in the occupation and describes the workplace, the level of physical activity expected, and typical hours worked. It may also discuss the major industries that employed the occupation. This tab may also describe opportunities for part-time work, the amount and type of travel required, any safety equipment that is used, and the risk of injury that workers may face.

How to Become One

The How to Become One tab describes how to prepare for a job in the occupation. This tab can include information on education, training, work experience, licensing and certification, and important qualities that are required or helpful for entering or working in the occupation.

Pay

The Pay tab describes typical earnings and how workers in the occupation are compensated—annual salaries, hourly wages, commissions, tips, or bonuses. Within every occupation, earnings vary by experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and geographic area. For most profiles, this tab has a table with wages in the major industries employing the occupation. It does not include pay for self-employed workers, agriculture workers, or workers in private households because these data are not collected by the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, the source of BLS wage data in the OOH.

State & Area Data

The State and Area Data tab provides links to state and area occupational data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, state projections data from Projections Central, and occupational information from the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The Job Outlook tab describes the factors that affect employment growth or decline in the occupation, and in some instances, describes the relationship between the number of job seekers and the number of job openings.

Similar Occupations

The Similar Occupations tab describes occupations that share similar duties, skills, interests, education, or training with the occupation covered in the profile.

Contacts for More Information

The More Information tab provides the Internet addresses of associations, government agencies, unions, and other organizations that can provide additional information on the occupation. This tab also includes links to relevant occupational information from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).

2023 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

Work experience in a related occupation

Work experience that is commonly considered necessary by employers, or is a commonly accepted substitute for more formal types of training or education.

Number of Jobs, 2023

The employment, or size, of this occupation in 2023, which is the base year of the 2023-33 employment projections.

Job Outlook, 2023-33

The projected percent change in employment from 2023 to 2033. The average growth rate for all occupations is 4 percent.

Employment Change, 2023-33

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Employment Change, projected 2023-33

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Growth Rate (Projected)

The percent change of employment for each occupation from 2023 to 2033.

Projected Number of New Jobs

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Projected Growth Rate

The projected percent change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

2023 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.