Biological Technician

Career Overview

Biological technicians work for biologists or other researchers engaged in the study of living organisms. The most prominent field for this kind of work is medical research, and many biological technicians work assisting doctors or scientists studying the effect of new medications or treatments on animals or smaller organisms. Biological technicians working in biotech firms apply their skills to research that may include gene splicing and work with DNA.

Education

Most biological technicians hold a bachelor's degree in biology or a field related to their area of research. Science at the research level, particularly when it involves living organisms, is sufficiently complex that thorough knowledge of the biological processes and potential impact involved in theresearch is a must.

Employment

There were nearly eighty thousand biological technicians working in the U.S. in 2006, according to the Department of Labor. They worked forgovernment agencies, pharmaceutical companies, professional or scientific services firms, or in educational/research services.

Job Outlook

Job growth in the biology technician field is expected to be brisk, with greater job growth than the average projected growth for jobs overall. The building momentum of biotechnology in many areas of medicine and science is going to lead to more industry jobs and more professional opportunitieson the regulatory side.

Salary

Lowest 10% $24,530

Median Salary $38,400

Highest 10% $62,260

Source: U.S. Department of Labor