What Does it Take to Be a Biological Technician?
Career Description Assist biological and medical scientists in laboratories. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.
What Do Biological Technicians Do On a Daily Basis?
- Place orders for laboratory equipment and supplies.
- Conduct or supervise operational programs such as fish hatcheries, greenhouses and livestock production programs.
- Conduct research or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
- Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
- 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.
- Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.
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Things a Biological Technician Should Know How to Do
Biological Technicians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Fiber Technologist
- Microbiology Technician
- Laboratory Technician
- Fowl Blood Tester
- Research Assistant
Job Outlook for Biological Technicians
There were about 82,100 jobs for Biological Technician in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 8,300 new jobs for Biological Technician by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 8,900 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Biological Technician are Utah, Missouri, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, West Virginia, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Biological Technician Make?
The average yearly salary of a Biological Technician ranges between $29,330 and $71,440.
Biological Technicians who work in Connecticut, Illinois, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Biological Technicians make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $38,130 |
Alaska | $44,250 |
Arizona | $36,700 |
Arkansas | $43,270 |
California | $53,230 |
Colorado | $44,530 |
Connecticut | $57,380 |
Delaware | $50,550 |
District of Columbia | $50,580 |
Florida | $44,690 |
Georgia | $47,120 |
Hawaii | $37,060 |
Idaho | $35,770 |
Illinois | $53,450 |
Indiana | $45,540 |
Iowa | $44,600 |
Kansas | $40,940 |
Kentucky | $41,970 |
Louisiana | $43,720 |
Maine | $43,640 |
Maryland | $52,460 |
Massachusetts | $61,790 |
Michigan | $41,310 |
Minnesota | $48,930 |
Mississippi | $40,100 |
Missouri | $41,740 |
Montana | $34,990 |
Nebraska | $41,840 |
Nevada | $42,960 |
New Hampshire | $51,970 |
New Jersey | $54,530 |
New Mexico | $44,860 |
New York | $49,180 |
North Carolina | $45,640 |
North Dakota | $37,510 |
Ohio | $45,890 |
Oklahoma | $40,930 |
Oregon | $42,270 |
Pennsylvania | $49,010 |
Rhode Island | $40,450 |
South Carolina | $42,970 |
South Dakota | $32,340 |
Tennessee | $44,320 |
Texas | $46,060 |
Utah | $46,290 |
Vermont | $46,850 |
Virginia | $47,480 |
Washington | $45,360 |
West Virginia | $44,860 |
Wisconsin | $48,040 |
Wyoming | $39,720 |
What Tools & Technology do Biological Technicians Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Biological Technicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Project
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Database software
- SAS
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Graphics software
- Statistical software
- Corel WordPerfect
- IBM Lotus 1-2-3
- Laboratory information management system LIMS
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Systat Software SigmaPlot
Becoming a Biological Technician
Are there Biological Technicians education requirements?
What work experience do I need to become a Biological Technician?
Who Employs Biological Technicians?
Below are examples of industries where Biological Technicians work:
References:
Image Credit: Steve Pivnick via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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