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 ThinkingScienceActive ListeningActive LearningWritingSpeakingMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingSystems AnalysisOperations MonitoringMathematicsTime ManagementQuality Control AnalysisLearning StrategiesSystems EvaluationSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationTroubleshootingOperation and ControlInstructingService OrientationManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Personnel ResourcesEquipment MaintenancePersuasionTechnology DesignProgrammingOperations AnalysisNegotiationManagement of Financial ResourcesEquipment SelectionRepairingInstallation
Knowledge areas
BiologyEnglish LanguageMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsChemistryEducation and TrainingAdministrativeLaw and GovernmentPublic Safety and SecurityMechanicalPhysicsAdministration and ManagementCommunications and MediaEngineering and TechnologyCustomer and Personal ServiceTransportationProduction and ProcessingMedicine and DentistryPersonnel and Human ResourcesPsychologyGeographyTelecommunicationsDesignEconomics and AccountingSociology and AnthropologyTherapy and CounselingBuilding and ConstructionSales and MarketingPhilosophy and TheologyHistory and ArcheologyForeign LanguageFine ArtsFood Production
Technology & tools
Adobe AcrobatAdobe PhotoshopBD Biosciences CellQuestBoxShadeClustalWCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteDatabase softwareESRI ArcGIS softwareGene Codes SequencherGene RunnerGeographic information system GIS softwareGraphics softwareHarvard GraphicsIBM Lotus 1-2-3Laboratory information management system LIMSMapInfo MapMarkerMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft WordPhrapPhredPolyBayesPrimer3SASStatistical softwareSystat Software SigmaPlotSystat Software TableCurveThomson EndNoteWord processing software
Representative tasks
Documenting/Recording InformationProcessing InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsGetting InformationWorking with ComputersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsHandling and Moving ObjectsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesThinking CreativelyEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsControlling Machines and ProcessesScheduling Work and ActivitiesTraining and Teaching OthersPerforming General Physical ActivitiesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesDeveloping and Building TeamsProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentStaffing Organizational Units
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
58 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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