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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.
Other titles employers use
Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Biological Science Lab Tech) · Biological Science Technician · Biological Technician · Laboratory Technician · Marine Fisheries Technician · Research Assistant · Research Associate · Research Specialist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
- Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
- Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
- Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
- Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to organizing, practical and analytical work.
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Science
- Active Learning
- Writing
Subjects to know
- Biology
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- Chemistry
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
- Near Vision
- Oral Expression
- Information Ordering
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.0 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.8 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.8 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 3.4 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 49%
- A master's degree 44%
- A doctorate or professional degree 4%
- A certificate or some college 2%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Word processing software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Office suite software
- Geographic information system
- Spreadsheet software
- Document management software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 13,400
- Job openings each year
- 1,680
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 10.7%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 13,400 | 1,680 | 10.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 5,720 | 710 | 5.0% |
| Texas | 5,230 | 670 | 16.0% |
| Washington | 5,170 | 790 | 25.2% |
| New York | 4,900 | 60 | 12.6% |
| Maryland | 4,700 | 590 | 12.4% |
| Colorado | 3,670 | 470 | 18.0% |
| Oregon | 3,130 | 390 | 9.4% |
| Florida | 3,030 | 390 | 15.6% |
| North Carolina | 3,030 | 380 | 12.6% |
| Massachusetts | 2,440 | 300 | 5.6% |
| Illinois | 2,000 | 250 | 3.6% |
| Ohio | 1,710 | 210 | 2.4% |
| New Jersey | 1,690 | 210 | 6.3% |
| Arizona | 1,660 | 210 | 12.2% |
| Georgia | 1,630 | 210 | 12.4% |
| Tennessee | 1,560 | 200 | 16.4% |
| Virginia | 1,540 | 190 | 4.1% |
| Minnesota | 1,340 | 170 | 7.2% |
| Wisconsin | 1,300 | 160 | 15.0% |
| Iowa | 1,230 | 160 | 9.8% |
| Kansas | 1,230 | 150 | 8.8% |
| Michigan | 1,220 | 150 | 1.7% |
| Connecticut | 1,210 | 150 | 11.0% |
| Idaho | 980 | 120 | 7.7% |
| Utah | 920 | 120 | 37.3% |
| Missouri | 760 | 100 | 10.1% |
| Montana | 620 | 80 | 8.8% |
| Oklahoma | 580 | 70 | 1.8% |
| Alaska | 570 | 70 | 1.8% |
| Nevada | 570 | 70 | 16.3% |
| Indiana | 530 | 70 | 10.4% |
| Puerto Rico | 510 | 60 | 8.5% |
| Arkansas | 480 | 60 | 6.7% |
| Maine | 450 | 50 | — |
| Alabama | 430 | 50 | 4.9% |
| New Hampshire | 420 | 50 | 10.5% |
| Kentucky | 400 | 50 | 8.1% |
| South Carolina | 370 | 50 | 8.8% |
| Mississippi | 330 | 40 | 3.1% |
| Nebraska | 330 | 40 | 6.5% |
| North Dakota | 330 | 40 | 10.0% |
| District of Columbia | 270 | 30 | 3.8% |
| South Dakota | 240 | 30 | 9.1% |
| Wyoming | 220 | 30 | 4.8% |
| West Virginia | 190 | 20 | 5.6% |
| Delaware | 180 | 20 | 5.9% |
| New Mexico | 160 | 20 | 6.7% |
| Louisiana | 140 | 20 | — |
| Vermont | 120 | 20 | 20.0% |
| Rhode Island | 100 | 10 | — |
| Guam | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
University of South Florida
- Degrees each year
- 1,286
- Admit rate
- 41%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Arizona State University Campus Immersion
- Degrees each year
- 1,242
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
University of California-San Diego
- Degrees each year
- 1,642
- Admit rate
- 25%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Texas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 1,205
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
University of California-Los Angeles
- Degrees each year
- 1,229
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of California-Davis
- Degrees each year
- 1,303
- Admit rate
- 42%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Degrees each year
- 1,186
- Admit rate
- 43%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Michigan State University
- Degrees each year
- 1,138
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Compare every college offering microbiological sciences and immunology