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Biological Technician

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All About Biological Technicians

Job Description & Duties Assist biological and medical scientists in laboratories. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

Daily Life Of a Biological Technician

  • Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing or animal feed.
  • Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.
  • Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.
  • Participate in the research, development, or manufacturing of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations.
  • Input data into databases.
  • Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.

Skills Needed to be a Biological Technician

Biological Technicians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Types of Biological Technician Jobs

  • Herbarium Worker
  • Bacteriology Research Assistant
  • Biomedical Technician
  • Artificial Breeding Laboratory Technician
  • Biochemistry Technician

What Kind of Biological Technician Job Opportunities Are There?

There were about 82,100 jobs for Biological Technician in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 8,300 new jobs for Biological Technician by 2026. The BLS estimates 8,900 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Biological Technician are Utah, Missouri, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, West Virginia, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Biological Technician Make?

The salary for Biological Technicians ranges between about $29,330 and $71,440 a year.

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Biological Technicians who work in Connecticut, Illinois, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Biological Technicians in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $38,130
Alaska $44,250
Arizona $36,700
Arkansas $43,270
California $53,230
Colorado $44,530
Connecticut $57,380
Delaware $50,550
District of Columbia $50,580
Florida $44,690
Georgia $47,120
Hawaii $37,060
Idaho $35,770
Illinois $53,450
Indiana $45,540
Iowa $44,600
Kansas $40,940
Kentucky $41,970
Louisiana $43,720
Maine $43,640
Maryland $52,460
Massachusetts $61,790
Michigan $41,310
Minnesota $48,930
Mississippi $40,100
Missouri $41,740
Montana $34,990
Nebraska $41,840
Nevada $42,960
New Hampshire $51,970
New Jersey $54,530
New Mexico $44,860
New York $49,180
North Carolina $45,640
North Dakota $37,510
Ohio $45,890
Oklahoma $40,930
Oregon $42,270
Pennsylvania $49,010
Rhode Island $40,450
South Carolina $42,970
South Dakota $32,340
Tennessee $44,320
Texas $46,060
Utah $46,290
Vermont $46,850
Virginia $47,480
Washington $45,360
West Virginia $44,860
Wisconsin $48,040
Wyoming $39,720

Tools & Technologies Used by Biological Technicians

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Biological Technicians may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Access
  • Word processing software
  • Microsoft Project
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
  • Database software
  • SAS
  • Geographic information system GIS software
  • Graphics software
  • Statistical software
  • Corel WordPerfect
  • IBM Lotus 1-2-3
  • Laboratory information management system LIMS
  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • Systat Software SigmaPlot

Becoming a Biological Technician

Learn what Biological Technician education requirements there are.

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What work experience do I need to become a Biological Technician?

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Where Biological Technicians Work

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The table below shows the approximate number of Biological Technicians employed by various industries.

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References:

Image Credit: Steve Pivnick via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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