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 $57,510 per year, ranking in the top 56% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +7.4% job growth through 2035, 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 $57,510. That puts biological technicians at #465 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 +7.4%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 74K positions in 2024 to 79K in 2034, a net change of 5K. 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.Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.
2. 2.Place orders for laboratory equipment and supplies.
3. 3.Examine animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems.
4. 4.Input data into databases.
5. 5.Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
6. 6.Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.
7. 7.Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.
8. 8.Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing or animal feed.

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.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
  $55,090 median
• Forest and Conservation Technicians
  $54,560 median
• Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
  $53,350 median
• Food Science Technicians
  $52,130 median
• Agricultural Technicians
  $49,630 median
• Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
  $193,950 median

Common questions parents ask about biological technicians