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Pharmaceuticals
Pfizer, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb
Biological Technicians
Biological technicians help run experiments and collect biological samples in labs, greenhouses, and field sites. The work is hands-on and detail-heavy: one hour you may be calibrating equipment or logging results, and the next you may be collecting soil, water, plant, or animal samples. The tradeoff is that it offers real exposure to research without needing years of training, but much of the work is support work with modest growth and limited decision-making authority.
Also known as Laboratory TechnicianLab TechnicianResearch TechnicianBiotech TechnicianResearch Lab Technician
Median Salary
$52,000
Mean $58,020
U.S. Workforce
~76K
9.1K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+3.5%
82.7K to 85.6K
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Biological Technicians sits in the Science category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~76K workers, with a median annual pay of $52,000 and roughly 9.1K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 82.7 K in 2024 to 85.6K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Biotechnology, or a Related Life Science, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Laboratory Assistant and can progress toward Lab Operations Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Science, Laboratory Equipment Calibration & Troubleshooting, and LIMS, Excel & Database Entry, paired with soft skills such as Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, and Active Listening.
Core Responsibilities
- Clean and restock benches, tools, and other supplies so the lab is ready for the next round of testing.
- Set up, adjust, and troubleshoot lab or field equipment before samples are run.
- Use computer-connected instruments and automated equipment to carry out routine tests.
- Collect, label, and transport samples such as blood, water, soil, plants, or animal material for research.
Keep exploring: more Science careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Clean and restock benches, tools, and other supplies so the lab is ready for the next round of testing.
02 Set up, adjust, and troubleshoot lab or field equipment before samples are run.
03 Use computer-connected instruments and automated equipment to carry out routine tests.
04 Collect, label, and transport samples such as blood, water, soil, plants, or animal material for research.
05 Enter measurements and observations into databases and keep experiment records organized.
06 Watch experiments as they run, check for problems or rule violations, and pass results along to research staff.
Industries That Hire
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Biotechnology
Amgen, Genentech, Illumina
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Universities and Research Institutes
Harvard University, Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University
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Environmental Testing
Eurofins Scientific, SGS, Intertek
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Agriculture and Seed Science
Corteva, Bayer Crop Science, Syngenta
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is solid for a bachelor's-level science job, with a median of $52,000 and a mean of $58,020.
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You usually do not need work experience or on-the-job training to start, which lowers the barrier to entry.
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The work is varied: you may be collecting samples one day and troubleshooting equipment the next.
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There are about 9.1 thousand annual openings, so employers regularly hire for replacements and routine growth.
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The job can be a strong stepping stone into research, quality control, or graduate study if you want to specialize later.
Challenges
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Growth is projected at only 3.5% from 2024 to 2034, so the field is not expanding quickly.
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A bachelor's degree is the typical entry point, but 29.36% of workers have a master's degree, which can raise the bar for the better jobs.
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Much of the day is routine support work such as cleaning, logging data, and checking equipment rather than designing experiments yourself.
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The role can be tied to grant funding, contract work, or lab budgets, so hiring can rise and fall with research money.
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There is a structural ceiling in many workplaces: biological technicians often support scientists and managers, which can make advancement slower unless you keep adding credentials.
Career Progression
Laboratory Assistant
0-2 years
$33K-$42K
Entry-level work focuses on cleaning, stocking, sample handling, and learning lab rules and equipment.
Biological Technician
2-5 years
$45K-$60K
You run routine tests, collect samples, record data, and support scientists with day-to-day research tasks.
Senior Biological Technician THIS ROLE
5-8 years
$61K-$75K
At this level you handle more complex procedures, help train newer staff, and solve equipment or data issues.
Lead Biological Technician
8-12 years
$76K-$89K
Lead technicians coordinate workflow, keep standards consistent, and serve as the main technical contact for a lab section.
Lab Operations Supervisor
12+ years
$90K-$110K
Supervisors manage staffing, schedules, quality checks, supplies, and compliance across one or more lab teams.
Education Paths
Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Biotechnology, or a Related Life Science
This is the most common path, held by 48.84% of workers in the role.
Master's Degree in Biology, Biomedical Science, or Biotechnology
A sizable share of workers, 29.36%, have a master's degree, which can open the door to more specialized lab work.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Laboratory Technology or Biotechnology
This alternative route is used by 14.28% of workers and can add practical lab training after a bachelor's degree.
Post-Secondary Certificate or Community College Lab Training
A small minority, 0.93% of workers, enter with certificate-level training for more basic support roles.
Key Skills
Technical
Science 75%
Laboratory Equipment Calibration & Troubleshooting 74%
LIMS, Excel & Database Entry 72%
Microscopy, Sample Prep & Bench Techniques 71%
Sample Collection & Chain of Custody 70%
QA/QC, Sterile Technique & Lab Safety 69%
Monitoring Experiments & Data Quality 65%
Soft Skills
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningActive LearningWritingAttention to Detail Job Outlook and Trends
+3.5%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
9.1K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 82.7K to 85.6 K over the next decade, representing 3.5% growth. Around 9.1 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.