Occupation · SOC 19-4021
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.
Median wage
$52,000
$38,060–$81,990
Projected growth
+3.5%
Average growth
Annual openings
290
per year
Employed (US)
76,190
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
1,849 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningScienceActive LearningWritingSpeakingMonitoring
Knowledge areas
BiologyEnglish LanguageMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsChemistry
Technology & tools
Document management softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareOffice suite softwareData base user interface and query software
Representative tasks
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.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.Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.Place orders for laboratory equipment and supplies.Participate in the research, development, or manufacturing of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations.Feed livestock or laboratory animals.Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses to evaluate the quantity or quality of physical or chemical substances in food or other products.Examine animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems.Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing or animal feed.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Lab glassware, pipettes, and balances — use accurately under a senior technician's review in a routine bench setting.Reagent prep and aliquoting — perform per the lab's standard operating procedures.PPE, biosafety, and chemical-hygiene practice — apply consistently at BSL-2.Sample receiving, labeling, and logging — maintain accurately across daily intake.Standard assays (PCR setup, ELISA, plate reading) — run per SOP on assigned projects.Cell-culture maintenance (passaging, feeding) — perform on standard lines under a scientist's review.Animal-care basics (cage changes, observations) — conduct per IACUC protocol with veterinary oversight.Instrument logs and maintenance schedules — keep current on assigned equipment.Lab safety incidents and near-misses — recognize and report to a supervisor.Routine data entry into LIMS or notebooks — complete daily under review.
developing
Standard molecular and biochemistry workflows — execute independently from sample receipt through reporting.Method troubleshooting on routine assays — perform with documented checklists in a research lab.Cell-line authentication and mycoplasma testing — schedule and perform on the lab's portfolio.Equipment maintenance (autoclaves, biosafety cabinets, microscopes) — own routine PM on assigned instruments.Junior technicians and interns — train on safety, technique, and documentation.Inventory and reagent purchasing — manage at task level under a lab manager's review.Animal handling (rodents, zebrafish) for routine procedures — perform per protocol with documentation.Field collection and sample preservation — conduct on standard ecology or genomics projects.Standard imaging (light, fluorescence microscopy) — acquire and annotate per a defined SOP.Project schedules and assay queues — manage in coordination with the lab's PIs.
proficient
End-to-end workflow ownership (NGS, flow cytometry, complex animal studies) — lead within a research lab.Method validation and SOP authoring — produce for the lab's recurring techniques.Lab safety officer or biosafety designee — serve with documented institutional responsibilities.Quality and reproducibility audits — conduct across recurring assays and projects.Senior technicians and rotation students — supervise across a small team.Procurement, capital-equipment specs, and vendor management — lead with scientist input.Manuscript-grade data packages — prepare with figures and methods sections.Cross-lab method transfers and core-facility liaison — manage with documented hand-offs.IACUC and IBC protocol amendments — author with PI sign-off.Continuous-improvement programs — lead with measurable outcomes.
advanced
Lab manager or technical-operations lead role — set direction across staff, equipment, and budget.Cross-PI cores and shared facilities — build and steward for an institute or department.Capital-equipment strategy and grant-funded acquisitions — author with PIs at million-dollar scale.Workforce development and certification programs — design with HR and academic partners.Institutional safety culture and compliance — advance through committee leadership.Talent pipelines from community colleges and undergraduate programs — build with measurable retention.Major audits and inspections (USDA, OLAW, EHS) — lead at institutional level.Vendor and consortium negotiations — conduct for shared-services contracts.Recognition and retention programs for technical staff — institutionalize with measurable outcomes.Legacy mentorship and field-shaping technician training — contribute through state and national programs.
Also known as
139 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Biomedical Laboratory, Clinical Chemistry (Air Force 43T3C)Emergency Management Journeyman (Air Force 3E951)Biomedical Laboratory, Clinical Chemistry (Air Force 43T4C)Downstream TechnicianBiological Research Technician (Biological Research Tech)Veterinary Biomedical Scientist (Army 64E)Game TechnicianMicrobiologist (Navy 0841)Medical Laboratory Technician (Navy 001382)Radiation Specialist (Navy 0847)Veterinary Corps Officer (Army 64)Bioenvironmental Engineer, Health Physics (Air Force 43E4G)Artificial Breeding TechnicianBiological TechnicianBiology Laboratory AssistantPreventive Medicine Sciences (Army 67C)Bioenvironmental Engineer, Medical Physics (Air Force 43E3M)Botany Laboratory AssistantBiomedical Laboratory, Biomedical Laboratory Science (Air Force 43T1A)Bioenvironmental Engineer, Environmental Engineering and Science (Air Force 43E4D)Specimen TechnicianMicrobiology TechnicianAerospace and Operational Physiologist (Air Force 43A3)Medical Laboratory Specialist (Army 68K)Biological Field Technician (Biological Field Tech)Allied Sciences (Army 67B)Biological Science AideBioenvironmental Engineer, Radiation (Air Force 43E1R)Medical Laboratory Apprentice (Air Force 4T031)Marine Fisheries TechnicianAerospace and Operational Physiologist (Air Force 43A4)Biomedical Laboratory, Environmental and Industrial Hygiene Chemistry (Air Force 43T4D)Biology Research AssistantMicrobiology (Army 71A)Medical Research AssistantHerbarium WorkerBiomedical Laboratory, Microbiology (Air Force 43T1B)Biomedical Laboratory, Hematology (Air Force 43T3H)Laboratory Assistant, Culture MediaBioenvironmental Engineer, Environmental Engineering and Science (Air Force 43E1D)