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.
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. The role reports a median annual salary of $52,000 in the US and is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a Bachelor's degree, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.57 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Science, Active Learning.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £28,210 a year for Laboratory technicians (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £24,975 to £34,028 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 3111). ONS rates this estimate precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Technicians and associate professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Biological technicians, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 3. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
How to get here in India
No single fixed route is listed for this career. These Indian degrees lead to it, according to the US CIP–SOC education-to-occupation crosswalk; open a degree for its entrance exams and colleges.[1]
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Biochemistry — B.Sc / B.Sc (Hons) in Biochemistry (three years, or four with honours under NEP)
Entrance exams: CUET-UG
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Genetics — B.Sc / B.Sc (Hons) in Genetics, or B.Sc with genetics as a subject (three or four years)
Entrance exams: CUET-UG
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Microbiology — B.Sc / B.Sc (Hons) in Microbiology (three years, or four with honours under NEP)
Entrance exams: CUET-UG
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Zoology — B.Sc / B.Sc (Hons) in Zoology (three years, or four with honours under NEP)
Entrance exams: CUET-UG
Rules change: check the exam body's and regulator's current notice before you apply.
- CIP 2020 – SOC 2018 crosswalk (NCES / BLS) (read on 2026-09-27)
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Biology
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- Chemistry
- Education and Training
- Administrative
- Law and Government
A day in the life
You start the morning in the lab preparing specimens for the day's experiments, carefully labelling each tube and checking that the equipment is calibrated. You set up an automated system to process the samples, then monitor the experiment and record readings at regular intervals. Mid-morning you help a scientist collect samples from a field study, storing them properly for later analysis. After lunch you enter results into the lab database and run basic analyses to spot any patterns or errors. Later you write a short summary of the findings for the research team and update your detailed work log. Keeping records and cleaning equipment is repetitive, but a single mistake can ruin weeks of research, so it has to be done well. The satisfying moments come when your careful work helps the team move closer to a discovery, and you see your contribution thanked in their published paper.
Illustrative: one typical day, written from the O*NET task statements for this occupation. Real days vary by employer and seniority.
What you'd actually do
- Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
- Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
- Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
- Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
- Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
- Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Biological technicians do?
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.
What does a typical day look like in Biological technicians?
You start the morning in the lab preparing specimens for the day's experiments, carefully labelling each tube and checking that the equipment is calibrated. You set up an automated system to process the samples, then monitor the experiment and record readings at regular intervals. Mid-morning you help a scientist collect samples from a field study, storing them properly for later analysis. After lunch you enter results into the lab database and run basic analyses to spot any patterns or errors.
How much does Biological technicians earn?
The median annual salary for Biological technicians in the US is $52,000.
What is the job outlook for Biological technicians?
The role is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 82,700 workers.
How do I become biological technicians?
The typical entry education is a Bachelor's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Biological technicians need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Science, Active Learning, Writing. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Biological technicians?
Our AI-durability model gives Biological technicians a score of 0.57 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Biological technicians has moderate barrier to entry — moderately gated — a bachelor's degree or equivalent training is typically required.