Biological Technicians
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.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 580 | $42,850 | $20.60 | |
| Alaska | 790 | $48,970 | $23.54 | |
| Arizona | 800 | $45,620 | $21.93 | |
| Arkansas | 280 | $53,290 | $25.62 | |
| California | 8,590 | $55,160 | $26.52 | |
| Colorado | 2,960 | $54,350 | $26.13 | |
| Connecticut | 850 | $58,160 | $27.96 | |
| Delaware | 130 | $57,360 | $27.58 | |
| District of Columbia | 250 | $50,540 | $24.30 | |
| Florida | 2,000 | $43,340 | $20.84 | |
| Georgia | 1,660 | $48,080 | $23.11 | |
| Hawaii | 840 | $42,020 | $20.20 | |
| Idaho | 680 | $36,510 | $17.55 | |
| Illinois | 1,780 | $47,380 | $22.78 | |
| Indiana | 560 | $41,870 | $20.13 | |
| Iowa | 850 | $53,060 | $25.51 | |
| Kansas | 770 | $41,490 | $19.95 | |
| Kentucky | 550 | $43,150 | $20.75 | |
| Louisiana | 160 | $41,280 | $19.84 | |
| Maine | 440 | $52,130 | $25.06 | |
| Maryland | 3,970 | $52,130 | $25.06 | |
| Massachusetts | 5,600 | $62,610 | $30.10 | |
| Michigan | 1,470 | $45,540 | $21.90 | |
| Minnesota | 660 | $47,780 | $22.97 | |
| Mississippi | 380 | $41,290 | $19.85 | |
| Missouri | 830 | $49,600 | $23.85 | |
| Montana | 700 | $38,730 | $18.62 | |
| Nebraska | 310 | $44,020 | $21.16 | |
| Nevada | 580 | $44,350 | $21.32 | |
| New Hampshire | 340 | $48,760 | $23.44 | |
| New Jersey | 1,840 | $56,330 | $27.08 | |
| New Mexico | 210 | $42,540 | $20.45 | |
| New York | 3,940 | $53,830 | $25.88 | |
| North Carolina | 1,620 | $52,310 | $25.15 | |
| North Dakota | 240 | $46,050 | $22.14 | |
| Ohio | 2,610 | $55,090 | $26.49 | |
| Oklahoma | 400 | $44,390 | $21.34 | |
| Oregon | 3,010 | $47,730 | $22.95 | |
| Pennsylvania | 6,030 | $55,820 | $26.84 | |
| South Carolina | 280 | $48,700 | $23.41 | |
| South Dakota | 190 | $36,960 | $17.77 | |
| Tennessee | 2,550 | $45,360 | $21.81 | |
| Texas | 4,360 | $52,460 | $25.22 | |
| Utah | 610 | $50,720 | $24.39 | |
| Vermont | 140 | $41,640 | $20.02 | |
| Virginia | 1,580 | $52,890 | $25.43 | |
| Washington | 4,290 | $52,880 | $25.43 | |
| West Virginia | 170 | $53,090 | $25.53 | |
| Wisconsin | 1,490 | $46,220 | $22.22 | |
| Wyoming | 220 | $41,870 | $20.13 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A general program of biology at the introductory, basic level or a program in biology or the biological sciences that is undifferentiated as to title or content. Includes instruction in general biology and programs covering a variety of biological specializations.
A general, program that focuses on the integrative scientific study of biological issues related to health and medicine, or a program in one or more of the biomedical sciences that is undifferentiated as to title. Includes instruction in any of the basic medical sciences at the research level; biological science research in biomedical faculties; and general studies encompassing a variety of the biomedical disciplines.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the chemistry of living systems, their fundamental chemical substances and reactions, and their chemical pathways and information transfer systems, with particular reference to carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Includes instruction in bio-organic chemistry, protein chemistry, bioanalytical chemistry, bioseparations, regulatory biochemistry, enzymology, hormonal chemistry, calorimetry, and research methods and equipment operation.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the structure and function of biological macromolecules and the role of molecular constituents and mechanisms in supramolecular assemblies and cells. Includes instruction in such topics as molecular signaling and transduction, regulation of cell growth, enzyme substrates and mechanisms of enzyme action, DNA-protein interaction, and applications to fields such as biotechnology, genetics, cell biology, and physiology.
An integrated, combined program that focuses on the scientific study of cells, cellular systems, and the molecular basis of cell structure and function. Includes instruction in cell biology, cell chemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, and structural biology.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of unicellular organisms and colonies, and subcellular genetic matter and their ecological interactions with human beings and other life. Includes instruction in microbial genetics, cell biology, cell physiology, virology, pathogenic microbiology, environmental microbiology, immunology, biostatistics, bioinformatics, and laboratory methods including microscopy.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of pathogenic bacteria that are significant factors in causing or facilitating human disease. Includes instruction in the pathogenesis of bacterial diseases, bacterial genetics and physiology, bacterial anatomy and structure, antigens, bacterial reproduction, bacterial adhesion, phagocytes, and the identification of new or mutated bacteria and bacterial agents.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the microorganisms that cause disease and the host immune response to them. Includes instruction in microbiology, microbial genetics, molecular virology, pathogenic bacteriology, disease mechanisms, immunology, immunogenetics, autoimmunity, and bioinformatics.
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of the biology of animal species and phyla, with reference to their molecular and cellular systems, anatomy, physiology, and behavior. Includes instruction in molecular and cell biology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, ecology and behavior, evolutionary biology, and applications to specific species and phyla.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the psychological and neurological bases of animal sensation, perception, cognition, behavior, and behavioral interactions within and outside the species. Includes instruction in ethology, behavioral neuroscience, neurobiology, behavioral evolution, cognition and sensory perception, motivators, learning and instinct, hormonal controls, reproductive and developmental biology, community ecology, functional behavior, and applications to specific behaviors and patterns as well as to specific phyla and species.
A program that focuses on the application of biological principles to the study of vertebrate wildlife, wildlife habitats, and related ecosystems in remote and urban areas. Includes instruction in animal ecology; adaptational biology; urban ecosystems; natural and artificial habitat management; limnology; wildlife pathology; and vertebrate zoological specializations such as mammalogy, herpetology, ichthyology, ornithology, and others.
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of the organization, recombination, function, regulation, and transmission of heritable information in biological organisms at all levels of complexity. Includes instruction in Mendelian genetics, mechanisms of gene regulation, chromosome structure and replication, epigenetic phenomena, DNA repair and recombination, sex determination, genetic interactions between genomes, and molecular evolution.
A program that focuses on the application of descriptive and inferential statistics to biomedical research and clinical, public health, and industrial issues related to human populations. Includes instruction in mathematical statistics, modeling, clinical trials methodology, disease and survival analysis, longitudinal analysis, missing data analysis, spatial analysis, computer tomography, biostatistics consulting, and applications to such topics as genetics, oncology, pharmacokinetics, physiology, neurobiology, and biophysics.
A program that focuses on the application of computer-based technologies and services to biological, biomedical, and biotechnology research. Includes instruction in algorithms, network architecture, principles of software design, human interface design, usability studies, search strategies, database management and data mining, digital image processing, computer graphics and animation, CAD, computer programming, and applications to experimental design and analysis and to specific quantitative, modeling, and analytical studies in the various biological specializations.
A program that focuses on computational theoretical approaches to understanding biological systems, including computational models of biological processes, computational management of large-scale projects, database development and data-algorithm development, and high-performance computing, as well as statistical and mathematical analyses.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the ecology and behavior of microbes, plants, and animals inhabiting oceans, coastal waters, and saltwater wetlands and their interactions with the physical environment. Includes instruction in chemical, physical, and geological oceanography; molecular, cellular, and biochemical studies; marine microbiology; marine botany; ichthyology; mammalogy; marine population dynamics and biodiversity; reproductive biology; studies of specific species, phyla, habitats, and ecosystems; marine paleocology and palentology; and applications to fields such as fisheries science and biotechnology.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the ecology and behavior of microbes, plants, and animals inhabiting inland fresh waters such as lakes, ponds, rivers, creeks, estuaries, and wetlands. Includes instruction in geology and hydrology; aquatic ecosystems; microbiology; mycology; botany; ichthyology; mammalogy; population biology and biodiversity; studies of specific species, phyla, and habitats; and applications to fields such as natural resources conservation, fisheries science, and biotechnology.
A program that focuses on the interdisciplinary scientific study of the molecular, structural, physiologic, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of the brain and nervous system. Includes instruction in molecular and cellular neuroscience, brain science, anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system, molecular and biochemical bases of information processing, behavioral neuroscience, biology of neuropsychiatric disorders, and applications to the clinical sciences and biomedical engineering.
A program that prepares individuals to apply scientific principles and technical skills in support of biologists and biotechnologists in research, industrial, and government settings. Includes instruction in fermentation technology, cell culturing, protein purification, biologic synthesis, assaying and testing, quality control, industrial microbiology, bioprocessing, chromatography and bioseparation, genetic technology, laboratory and hazardous materials safety, and computer applications.
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$51,770 per yearNational average salaryModerateJob growth rate
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Bachelor's degreeTypical education requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as biological technicians.
- Less than high school 4%
- High school graduate 18%
- College dropout 20%
- Associate’s degree 18%
- Bachelor’s degree 28%
- Master’s degree 9%
- Doctorate degree 4%
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