Occupations · Life, Physical, and Social Science

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.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 19-4021.00

$52,000median annual wage, May 2024

76,190people employed, United States

▲ 3.5%projected change, 2024→2034

9,100openings a year, incl. replacements

What it pays

A single “average salary” hides the spread. This is the whole distribution — the gap between the bottom and top bar is usually the number that matters.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 · national, cross-industry · annual wage

Pay over time

Median up 59% between 2003 and 2024, before inflation. The band shows the 10th to 90th percentile.

BLS OEWS, one release per year. Before May 2011 only national estimates were published, so geography detail starts there.

Where the jobs are

Metro area	Median wage	Employed
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$64,380	7,680
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	$59,520	3,680
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA	$79,270	3,510
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$58,090	2,620
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$49,110	2,510
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA	$61,070	2,160
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$56,660	1,920
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX	$49,150	1,870
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$60,330	1,790
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$63,270	1,740
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$47,390	1,530
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO	$61,720	1,390

BLS OEWS May 2024, metropolitan estimates · the 12 areas with the most people in this occupation

Typical education to enter: Bachelor's degree · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
Participate in the research, development, or manufacturing of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations.
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.
Input data into databases.
Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.
Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.
Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.
Feed livestock or laboratory animals.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Reading Comprehension4.0

Critical Thinking3.9

Science3.8

Active Listening3.8

Active Learning3.5

Writing3.4

Speaking3.2

Monitoring3.2

Mathematics3.0

Learning Strategies2.9

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Adobe Acrobat●Adobe Photoshop●ESRI ArcGIS software●Microsoft .NET Framework●Microsoft Access●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Outlook●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Project●Microsoft Word●SAS●BD Biosciences CellQuestBoxShadeClustalWCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteDatabase softwareGene Codes SequencherGene RunnerGeographic information system GIS softwareGraphics softwareHarvard GraphicsIBM Lotus 1-2-3Laboratory information management system LIMSMapInfo MapMarkerPhrapPhredPolyBayes

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

4 / 5Considerable preparation — a four-year degree plus several years in the field.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General−1.5 below average

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People−1.3 below average

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets+1.3 above average

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results−1.2 below average

Frequency of Decision Making−1.2 below average

Telephone Conversations−1.1 below average

Conflict Situations−1.0 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2017-07

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Bachelor's Degree49%

Master's Degree29%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.14%

Doctoral Degree3%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2017-07

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Conventional5.6

Realistic5.6

Investigative5.4

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

Tasks O*NET flags as emerging

Input data into databases.
Place orders for laboratory equipment and supplies.

O*NET 21.3 emerging tasks

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Complex Problem Solving3.2

Judgment and Decision Making3.1

Systems Analysis3.0

Operations Monitoring3.0

Time Management2.9

Quality Control Analysis2.9

Social Perceptiveness2.8

Systems Evaluation2.8

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

BiologyEnglish LanguageMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsChemistryEducation and Training

Abilities it leans on

Inductive ReasoningNear VisionOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionInformation OrderingWritten Comprehension

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

Seed AnalystBiotechnicianBabcock TesterBiologist AideBiological AideBiotechnologistGame TechnicianHerbarium WorkerFowl Blood TesterLaboratory WorkerDairy TechnologistResearch AssociateFeed Research AideFiber Technologist

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 8 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 5

+Adobe Acrobat+Geographic information system GIS software+Adobe Photoshop+Corel WordPerfect Office Suite+Microsoft .NET Framework

No longer listed 4

−Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat software−Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop software−Corel WordPerfect software−ESRI ArcGIS software (analytical or scientific feature)

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

Seed AnalystBiotechnicianBiologist AideLab SupervisorBabcock TesterGame TechnicianBiotechnologistBiological AideLab TechnologistHerbarium WorkerAquatic ScientistFowl Blood Tester

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
biology technician	3141.2.3	exact
scientific laboratory technician	3141.2	broader
botanical technician	3141.2.4	broader
zoology technician	3141.2.5	broader
bacteriology technician	3141.2.1	broader
biotechnical technician	3141.1	broader
biochemistry technician	3141.2.2	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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