Biological Technicians

Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources · Plant Systems

Bright outlookJob zone 4: considerable preparationO*NET 19-4021.00

Pay and outlook shown for

median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX

$40k10th$49kMedian$78k90th

New workers start near $39,700; experienced workers reach $78,000. About 170 people do this job in San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX.

Job outlook

Alamo region (San Antonio and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034; U.S. figures from the BLS.

Employment change: +12.1%; Alamo region, 480 to 538 jobs · U.S. +4%
Openings a year: 59; in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 9,100
Employed in 2024: 480; in the Alamo region · U.S. 82,700

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree

Alamo Colleges programs that lead here

8 programs, with the college that teaches each.

Apply to Alamo Colleges

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

Reading Comprehension4.6
Critical Thinking4.0
Active Listening3.8
Science3.6
Active Learning3.9
Writing3.8
Speaking3.8
Monitoring3.8

What the work is

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.

Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.
Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.
Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

High school or less1%
Certificate1%
Some college1%
Bachelor's degree63%
Master's degree29%
Doctoral or professional4%

Job zone 4, considerable preparation: Usually a bachelor's degree, sometimes a strong associate plus experience.

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