Biological Technicians
SOC Code: 19-4021.00
Life, Physical & Social ScienceBiological technicians assist scientists in research laboratories, setting up and operating equipment, conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and maintaining laboratory operations. With a median salary around $52,000, these technicians are the hands-on workers who keep biological research moving—preparing culture media, processing tissue samples, running assays, maintaining cell lines, caring for laboratory animals, and executing the precise, repetitive protocols that generate the data upon which scientific conclusions rest. They work across every branch of biology, from molecular biology and genetics to ecology, agriculture, and environmental science.
Salary Overview
Median
$52,000
25th Percentile
$45,380
75th Percentile
$66,410
90th Percentile
$81,990
Salary Distribution
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Growth Rate
+3.5%
New Openings
9,100
Outlook
As fast as average
Key Skills
Knowledge Areas
What They Do
- Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
- Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.
- 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.
- Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
- Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
- Input data into databases.
- Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.
Tools & Technology
★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)
Education Requirements
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Careers
Top Career Pivot Targets
View all 25 →Careers with the highest skill compatibility from Biological Technicians.
A Day in the Life
A biological technician in a genetics research lab might start the morning by checking cell culture incubators, feeding cell lines, and passaging confluent cultures into fresh flasks. Next comes running a Western blot—preparing protein lysates, loading gels, performing electrophoresis and membrane transfer, and applying antibodies to detect specific proteins. While the blot develops, the technician prepares bacterial cultures for plasmid DNA purification, processes overnight growths through a miniprep protocol, and quantifies DNA yield using a spectrophotometer. After lunch, an animal study requires tissue collection from mice—the technician follows approved IACUC protocols, processes specimens for histological analysis, and labels and stores samples in the biorepository freezer. Late afternoon involves entering experimental data into laboratory databases, inventorying reagent supplies and placing equipment orders, and performing weekly equipment maintenance on centrifuges and autoclaves. The day ends with thorough workstation cleaning and autoclaving biohazardous waste per biosafety protocols.
Work Environment
Biological technicians work in research laboratories at universities, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, hospitals, and environmental organizations. Labs are controlled environments with specific temperature, ventilation, and cleanliness requirements. Biosafety levels range from BSL-1 (standard precautions) to BSL-3 (highly pathogenic organisms) depending on the research. Technicians wear personal protective equipment—lab coats, gloves, eye protection—and may work in biological safety cabinets for cell culture or pathogen handling. Chemical exposure to fixatives (formalin), solvents, staining reagents, and cleaning agents requires safety awareness. Physical demands include extended standing, repetitive pipetting motions, and precise manual work. Most positions work standard weekday hours, though cell culture maintenance and animal care may require weekend visits. The culture is collaborative, with technicians working closely with principal investigators, graduate students, postdocs, and other technicians. Academic labs tend toward informal and flexible cultures, while industry labs are more structured and process-oriented.
Career Path & Advancement
A bachelor's degree in biology, biochemistry, microbiology, or a related biological science is the standard entry requirement. Some positions accept associate's degrees with strong laboratory coursework. Entry-level technicians perform routine laboratory tasks under direct supervision. With experience, technicians take on more complex experimental procedures, independent troubleshooting, and increased data analysis responsibility. Senior technicians may supervise other technicians, manage laboratory operations, and contribute to experimental design. Career advancement without additional education leads to laboratory manager, research specialist, or senior research associate positions. Pursuing a master's degree opens positions as research associate or project coordinator with greater analytical responsibility. A Ph.D. enables transition to research scientist roles with independent investigation authority. Some technicians advance into quality assurance, regulatory affairs, or clinical laboratory positions through additional certifications. Others leverage their research experience into technical sales, science writing, or laboratory equipment company positions.
Specializations
Molecular biology technicians work with DNA, RNA, and proteins—performing PCR, gel electrophoresis, cloning, CRISPR editing, and next-generation sequencing library preparation. Cell culture technicians maintain and manipulate mammalian, insect, or plant cell lines, performing transfections, assays, and experimental treatments in sterile tissue culture environments. Animal research technicians manage laboratory animal colonies, administer experimental treatments, collect biological samples, and perform surgical procedures under veterinary supervision, following IACUC protocols. Histology technicians prepare tissue specimens for microscopic examination—embedding, sectioning, staining, and mounting slides. Microbiology technicians culture bacteria, fungi, and viruses, performing identification tests, susceptibility assays, and contamination monitoring. Environmental biology technicians collect and analyze field samples—water quality testing, species surveys, and environmental monitoring. Agricultural biology technicians support plant science research through greenhouse management, field trials, pollination studies, and crop analysis.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓Hands-on involvement in scientific research contributing to medical, environmental, and agricultural advances
- ✓Accessible entry with a bachelor's degree into the biological research enterprise
- ✓Diverse research environments from pure academic exploration to goal-directed pharmaceutical development
- ✓Practical laboratory skills that provide career versatility across biology, healthcare, and industry
- ✓Collaborative work environment with exposure to scientists, technologies, and research questions
- ✓Predictable schedules in most settings with standard weekday hours
- ✓Gateway to advanced career paths through further education or lateral movement into specialized roles
Challenges
- ✗Modest median salary of $52,000 that may not reflect the education investment required
- ✗Repetitive task elements—running the same protocols and assays repeatedly can become tedious
- ✗Career ceiling without advanced degrees—technician roles have limited upward mobility
- ✗Chemical and biological exposure hazards requiring constant safety awareness and PPE compliance
- ✗Physical strain from extended standing, repetitive pipetting, and microscopework
- ✗Job insecurity in academic labs where positions depend on grant funding that may not be renewed
- ✗Sometimes limited recognition for contributions—technicians' work underpins publications and discoveries credited to principal investigators
Industry Insight
The biological technician role is evolving as automation, genomic technologies, and data analysis tools reshape laboratory work. Automated liquid handling systems, robotic sample processing, and high-throughput screening platforms are supplementing manual laboratory work—technicians who can program and maintain these systems are increasingly valuable. CRISPR gene editing has become a standard laboratory tool, and technicians proficient in designing and executing CRISPR experiments are in strong demand. Single-cell technologies, spatial biology platforms, and organized biorepository management require new technical competencies. The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries continue expanding, creating growing demand for skilled laboratory workers. Contract and temporary positions through staffing agencies are common in biopharma, providing employment flexibility but sometimes lacking benefits and career stability. The technician shortage in academic research labs—partly due to relatively modest salaries compared to industry—gives qualified technicians leverage in negotiating compensation, particularly for those willing to work in industry settings.
How to Break Into This Career
A biology or biochemistry bachelor's degree with substantial laboratory coursework provides the baseline qualification. Undergraduate research experience is the single strongest resume element—seek laboratory positions starting sophomore year and contribute to projects through graduation. Practical mastery of common techniques is essential: sterile technique, pipetting, centrifugation, spectrophotometry, gel electrophoresis, PCR, and cell culture should be hands-on skills, not just textbook knowledge. Laboratory safety training—chemical hygiene, biosafety, bloodborne pathogens—may be completed during undergraduate research or through employer orientation. Scientific writing and data management skills, including proficiency with Excel, statistical software, and laboratory information management systems (LIMS), strengthen applications. Publications or conference presentations from undergraduate research demonstrate productivity and scientific communication ability. Temporary and contract positions through scientific staffing agencies provide entry into institutions that might not have direct-hire openings. Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs funded by NSF provide summer laboratory positions that build both skills and professional connections.
Career Pivot Tips
Biological technicians develop practical laboratory skills, scientific methodology, data management competence, and teamwork abilities that support diverse career paths. Moving into clinical laboratory science—after completing additional coursework and certification (MLS/MT)—provides higher compensation and healthcare industry stability. Quality assurance and control positions in pharmaceutical and food manufacturing leverage the same attention to detail, protocol adherence, and documentation discipline. Technical sales and field application specialist roles at laboratory equipment and reagent companies value the hands-on product knowledge technicians develop. Patent agent positions apply biological knowledge to intellectual property evaluation, with further advancement through law school to patent attorney. Science education careers at secondary and community college levels apply both content knowledge and mentoring experience. Regulatory affairs positions at pharmaceutical companies translate protocol documentation and compliance awareness into a regulatory career. Laboratory management and operations coordination positions apply organizational and logistics skills in research environments with a more administrative focus.
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