What do they 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.
Also known 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), Marine Fisheries Technician (Marine Fisheries Tech), Microbiology Technician (Microbiology Tech), Research Assistant, Research Associate
No Data Available
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1.2%
Change
Ranks #53 in job growth rate260Job Openings
Ranks #13 in net job growth
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- Bachelor's degree (39%)
- Some college, no degree (21%)
- High school diploma equivalent (17%)
- Associate's degree (12%)
- Master's degree (7%)
- Doctorate or Professional Degree (2%)
- Less than high school diploma (2%)
Most Popular Majors that prepare Biological Technicians
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#1
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Degrees Granted
1,086
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Female Students
653
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Male Students
433
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Median Starting Salary
$40,800
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#2
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Degrees Granted
836
-
Female Students
491
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Male Students
345
-
Median Starting Salary
$42,090
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#3
-
Degrees Granted
821
-
Female Students
493
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Male Students
328
-
Median Starting Salary
$40,800
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#4
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Degrees Granted
478
-
Female Students
276
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Male Students
202
-
Median Starting Salary
$42,090
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#5
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Degrees Granted
469
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Female Students
254
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Male Students
215
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Median Starting Salary
$44,700
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People in this career often have these skills:
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
People in this career often know a lot about:
- Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
- Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
People in this career often have talent in:
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
- Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
- Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
- Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
- Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
People in this career often do these activities:
- Collect biological specimens.
- Monitor operational procedures in technical environments to ensure conformance to standards.
- Research microbiological or chemical processes or structures.
- Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
- Care for plants or animals.
- Examine characteristics or behavior of living organisms.
- Record research or operational data.
- Prepare biological samples for testing or analysis.
- Interpret research or operational data.
- Operate computers or computerized equipment.
- Research livestock management methods.
- Coordinate forestry or agricultural activities.
- Manage agricultural or forestry operations.
- Calculate weights, volumes or other characteristics of materials.
- Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes.
- Clean objects.
- Set up laboratory or field equipment.
- Analyze chemical compounds or substances.
- Collaborate on research activities with scientists or technical specialists.
- Assist engineers or scientists with research.
- Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
This page includes data from:
Career data:
O*NET 31.0 Database
by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (“USDOL/ETA”). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA
Occupation statistics: USDOL U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Employment Statistics
Videos:
CareerOneStop
, USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development
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