Biological Technicians: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Biological Technicians fall under the Life, Physical, and Social Science category in the U.S. occupational classification. Biological Technicians earn a median salary of $52,000 per year, ranking in the top 59% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +3.5% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do biological technicians earn?

The median annual wage for biological technicians is $52,000. That puts biological technicians at #474 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is biological technicians a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for biological technicians is +3.5%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 82K positions in 2024 to 85K in 2034, a net change of 3K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do biological technicians do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working biological technicians, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
2. 2.Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.
3. 3.Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.
4. 4.Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.
5. 5.Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
6. 6.Input data into databases.
7. 7.Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
8. 8.Place orders for laboratory equipment and supplies.

Top skills for biological technicians

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become biological technician?

The standard path into biological technicians begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

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Common questions parents ask about biological technicians