Biological Technicians earn a median of $57,510 per year ($27.65/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 7.4% through 2035, with about 9,400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 19-4021
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Biological Technician in four numbers
- Median pay
- $57,510a year, or $27.65/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $40KTop 10% $85K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +7.4%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+7.4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +7.4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 9,40074,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202574.4K
- Projected 203579.9K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 74.4K Projected 2035 79.9K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school14.5%
- Certificate2.5%
- Some college14.5%
- Bachelor's62.8%
- Doctorate0.2%
- Post-doctoral training5.6%
Highest education held by biological technicians Segment Value High school 14.5% Certificate 2.5% Some college 14.5% Bachelor's 62.8% Doctorate 0.2% Post-doctoral training 5.6%
Also advertised as: Biological Science Lab Tech (Biological Science Laboratory Technician), Biological Science Technician (Biological Science Tech), Biologist Aide, Biologist Technician (Biologist Tech), Environmental Technician (Environmental Tech), Fisheries Biological Technician (Fisheries Biological Tech).
Pay
How much do Biological Technicians make?
Every biological technician in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$57,510
Middle half earn $48,130 to $71,520
- 10th
- $40,330
- 25th
- $48,130
- 75th
- $71,520
- 90th
- $84,940
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $40,330 |
| 25th | $48,130 |
| Median | $57,510 |
| 75th | $71,520 |
| 90th | $84,940 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $57,510
- Median hourly wage
- $27.65/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $61,380
- People employed
- 69,620
Versus all US occupations
At $57,510, Biological Technicians earn 13% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $6,530 a year.
Versus life, physical, and social science occupations
Inside the Life, Physical, and Social Science group, where the middle occupation pays $82,220, this is 30% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $84,940 or more while the bottom 10% earn $40,330, a gap of 2.1×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 29% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
California posts the highest raw median ($71,440), but once local prices are taken into account Mississippi leads at $65,472 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Biological Technicians the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $71,440 | $64,523 | 9,210 |
| 2New Jersey | $66,040 | $60,696 | 1,290 |
| 3District of Columbia | $64,770 | $58,935 | 210 |
| 4Connecticut | $62,360 | $60,187 | 650 |
| 5Massachusetts | $62,070 | $58,691 | 8,430 |
| 6North Carolina | $61,720 | $65,433 | 2,460 |
| 7New York | $61,210 | $56,717 | 5,050 |
| 8Washington | $60,800 | $56,816 | 3,210 |
| 9Maine | $60,160 | $61,989 | 510 |
| 10Colorado | $59,400 | $57,641 | 1,990 |
Job outlook
Is Biological Technician a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +7.4% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Biological Technicians | +7.4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Biological Technicians to change 7.4% over 2025–2035, roughly 2.1× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 5,500 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 9,400 openings are projected each year, 12.6% of the 74,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
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.
Demand for biological and medical research is expected to contribute to the need for biological technicians. Synthetic biology is expected to create jobs for workers who redesign biological systems or living organisms for medical, manufacturing, and agriculture applications. Continued growth in biotechnology research and development projects, such as using cells to deliver drugs within the human body, is expected to support demand for biological technicians.
Getting in
How to become a Biological Technician
To enter the occupation, biological technicians typically need a bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field. Although less common, some positions are available to candidates who have less than a bachelor’s degree.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as biological technicians.
- Bachelor's Degree62.8%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)14.5%
- Some College Courses14.5%
- Post-Doctoral Training5.6%
- Post-Secondary Certificate2.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 62.8% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 14.5% |
| Some College Courses | 14.5% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 5.6% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 2.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Biological Technician do?
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.
Biological technicians help biological and medical scientists with tasks such as laboratory setup, data collection, and observation. They also may analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.
Day-to-day tasks
- Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.
- Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.
- Input data into databases.
- Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
- Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
- Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
- Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.
- Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most biological technicians work full time.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where biological technicians work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Scientific research and development services33%
- Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals14%
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state12%
- Healthcare and social assistance12%
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools; private10%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific research and development services | 33% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 14% |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state | 12% |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 12% |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; private | 10% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening3.9
- Science3.8
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Writing3.5
- Active Learning3.5
- Speaking3.4
- Monitoring3.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Science | 3.8 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 |
| Writing | 3.5 |
| Active Learning | 3.5 |
| Speaking | 3.4 |
| Monitoring | 3.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Operations Monitoring3.0
- Quality Control Analysis3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Systems Analysis2.9
- Systems Evaluation2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Systems Analysis | 2.9 |
| Systems Evaluation | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Map creation software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Biological Technician?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Biological Technician |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 5 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Conventional5.6
- Realistic5.6
- Investigative5.4
- Social2.0
- Enterprising1.3
- Artistic1.2
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Biological Technician
O*NET related occupations
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician
$62,930median a year
Most earn $39K to $101K
+2.7%Bachelor's - Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist
$62,930median a year
Most earn $39K to $101K
+2.7%Bachelor's - Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
More life, physical, and social science careers
Median annual pay, with biological technicians highlighted
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist$193,950
- Physicist$172,250
- Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Chemist$91,240
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist$90,150
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health$82,220
- Conservation Scientist$73,010
- Chemical Technician$60,390
- Biological Technician$57,510
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 |
| Physicist | $172,250 |
| Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 |
| Chemist | $91,240 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $90,150 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within biological technician
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Biological Technician appears on
Questions
Biological Technician: frequently asked questions
How much do Biological Technicians make?
Biological Technicians earn a median of $57,510 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 13% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $27.65/hr. The middle half earn between $48,130 and $71,520. The top 10% earn $84,940 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Biological Technician?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Biological Technicians, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 62.8% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Biological Technician a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 7.4% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 9,400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Biological Technician do?
Biological technicians help biological and medical scientists with tasks such as laboratory setup, data collection, and observation. A core O*NET task: clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Data base user interface and query software, Development environment software.
Which states pay Biological Technicians the most?
The highest state medians for Biological Technicians are California ($71,440), New Jersey ($66,040), District of Columbia ($64,770) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Mississippi moves to the top at $65,472.
What personality type suits a Biological Technician?
O*NET scores Biological Technicians highest on the Conventional, Realistic and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.