How much does a biological technician make?

The median pay is $27.65 per hour — roughly $57,500 a year, with the real range running from about $19.39/hr (10th percentile) to $40.84/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a biological technician?

The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).

What does a biological technician actually do all day?

Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals. Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties. Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.

Science

Biological Technicians

Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

What it pays
Biological Technicians earn a median of $27.65/hr — about $57,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $19.39/hr; the top 10% earn $40.84/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).

The feel of the work

The work splits time indoors and out. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 0% of biological technicians are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are hands-on, analytical and organized and detail-focused.

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Quick questions

How much does a biological technician make?: The median pay is $27.65 per hour — roughly $57,500 a year, with the real range running from about $19.39/hr (10th percentile) to $40.84/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a biological technician?: The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).
What does a biological technician actually do all day?: Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals. Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties. Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

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