Life As a Biological Technician
Job Description: 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.
What Do Biological Technicians Do On a Daily Basis?
- Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
- Input data into databases.
- Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
- Examine animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems.
- Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
- Participate in the research, development, or manufacturing of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations.
Featured schools near , edit
Things a Biological Technician Should Know How to Do
These are the skills Biological Technicians say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Other Biological Technician Job Titles
- Botany Laboratory Assistant
- Dairy Technologist
- Biology Specimen Technician
- Babcock Tester
- Bacteriology Research Assistant
Is There Going to be Demand for Biological Technicians?
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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 8,900 job openings in this field each year.
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.
Salary for a Biological Technician
The average yearly salary of a Biological Technician ranges between $29,330 and $71,440.
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 |
What Tools & Technology do Biological Technicians Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Biological Technicians:
- 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
Education needed to be a Biological Technician:
What work experience do I need to become a Biological Technician?
Where do Biological Technicians Work?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
References:
Image Credit: Steve Pivnick via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
GradDegree.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© GradDegree.com – All Rights Reserved.