Biology & Biotech Lab Technician
Types of Degrees Biology & Biotech Lab Technician Majors Are Getting
The following table lists how many biology and biotech lab technician graduations there were in 2018-2019 for each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Graduate Certificate | 11 |
Featured schools near , edit
What Biology & Biotech Lab Technician Majors Need to Know
O*NET surveyed people in occupations related to biology tech and asked them what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important for their jobs. The responses were rated on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being most important.
Knowledge Areas for Biology Tech Majors
According to O*NET survey takers, a major in biology tech should prepare you for careers in which you will need to be knowledgeable in the following areas:
- Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
- Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Skills for Biology Tech Majors
A major in biology tech prepares you for careers in which the following skill-sets are crucial:
- 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.
- Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve 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.
- Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Abilities for Biology Tech Majors
A major in biology tech will prepare for your careers in which the following abilities are important:
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
What Can You Do With a Biology & Biotech Lab Technician Major?
People with a biology tech degree often go into the following careers:
| Job Title | Job Growth Rate | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technicians | 10.1% | $44,500 |
How Much Do Biology & Biotech Lab Technician Majors Make?
Salaries According to BLS
The median salary for someone in a career related to biology tech is $48,060. This median refers to all degree levels, so the salary for a person with just a bachelor’s degree may be a little less and the one for a person with an advanced degree may be a little more.
To put that into context, according to BLS data from the first quarter of 2020, the typical high school graduate makes between $30,000 and $57,900 a year (25th through 75th percentile). The average person with a bachelor’s degree (any field) makes between $45,600 and $99,000. Advanced degree holders make the most with salaries between $55,600 and $125,400.
Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to Biology & Biotech Lab Technician
Some careers associated with biology tech require an advanced degree while some may not even require a bachelor’s. In general, the more advanced your degree the more career options will open up to you. However, there is significant time and money that needs to be invested into your education so weigh the pros and cons.
Find out what the typical degree level is for biology tech careers below.
| Education Level | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) | 1.5% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) | 1.0% |
| Some College Courses | 1.5% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 51.5% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master. | 15.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 31.0% |
| Doctoral Degree | 2.9% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 1.0% |
Online Biology & Biotech Lab Technician Programs
In the 2018-2019 academic year, 101 schools offered some type of biology and biotech lab technician program. The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.
| Degree Level | Colleges Offering Programs | Colleges Offering Online Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate (Less Than 1 Year) | 32 | 0 |
| Certificate (1-2 years) | 30 | 0 |
| Certificate (2-4 Years) | 0 | 0 |
| Associate’s Degree | 78 | 2 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 1 | 0 |
| Post-Baccalaureate | 32 | 0 |
| Master’s Degree | 1 | 1 |
| Post-Master’s | 0 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Research) | 1 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice) | 0 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Other) | 0 | 0 |
Is a Degree in Biology & Biotech Lab Technician Worth It?
The median salary for a biology tech grad is $48,060 per year. This is based on the weighted average of the most common careers associated with the major.
This is 20% more than the average salary for an individual holding a high school degree. This adds up to a gain of about $163,200 after 20 years!
Majors Related to Biology & Biotech Lab Technician
You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to biology tech.
| Major | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Physical Science Technicians | 3,562 |
| Other Science Technologies/Technicians | 2,627 |
| Nuclear & Radiological Technicians | 345 |
| General Science Technologies/Technicians | 176 |
References
- College Factual
- College Scorecard
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers First Quarter 2020
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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.