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For Educators: Military Resources

Biological Technicians

Median Salary
51,430
Job Outlook
+7%
In-Demand

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

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 sectors do they work in?

Private for profit

61%

State and local government

16%

Federal Government

12%

Private not for profit

8%

Self-employed

3%

What is the job outlook?

Employment of biological technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. About 10,300 openings for biological technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$37,690

10%

$51,430

Median

$62,690

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Bachelor's degree

    48%

  • Master's degree

    29%

  • Post baccalaureate

    14%

  • Doctoral degree

    2%

  • High school

    1%

  • Some college

    1%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Biology/Biological Sciences, General
  • Biomedical Sciences, General
  • Genetics, General
  • Biostatistics
  • Bioinformatics
  • Neuroscience
  • Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
  • Microbiology, General
  • Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology
  • Zoology/Animal Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • Animal Behavior and Ethology
  • Biology/Biotechnology Technology/Technician
  • Wildlife Biology
  • Microbiology and Immunology
  • Aquatic Biology/Limnology
  • Computational Biology

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Math and Science Skills

    High

  • Technology Design and Control

    High

  • Verbal Skills

    Mid

  • Leadership

    Low

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Mid

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Mid

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computers and Electronics
  • English Language
  • Mathematics

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Mid

  • Repetitiveness

    Mid

  • Responsibility

    Mid

  • Physical Activity

    Mid

  • Level Of Competition

    Mid

  • Time Pressure

    Low

  • Decision Making

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Investigative

You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.