What Do Biological Technician Do?
Career 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?
- Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
- Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.
- Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
- Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.
- Conduct research or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
- Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
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Qualities of 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.
Related Job Titles
- Bacteriology Technician
- Laboratory Worker
- Aquatics Technician
- Staff Research Associate
- Wildlife Technician
Job Opportunities for Biological Technicians
In the United States, there were 82,100 jobs for Biological Technician in 2016. 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.
How much do Biological Technicians make 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
How to Become a Biological Technician
Education needed to be a Biological Technician:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Biological Technicians?

Biological Technicians work in the following industries:

References:
Image Credit: Steve Pivnick via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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