Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between biological science technicians and biology laboratory technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a biological science technician and a biology laboratory technician. Additionally, a biology laboratory technician has an average salary of $38,514, which is higher than the $35,390 average annual salary of a biological science technician.
The top three skills for a biological science technician include laboratory equipment, data collection and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a biology laboratory technician are lab equipment, molecular biology, and chemistry.
| Biological Science Technician | Biology Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $35,390 | $38,514 |
| Hourly rate | $17.01 | $18.52 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 13,801 | 45,470 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A biological science technician is responsible for supporting scientists in conducting laboratory experiments and examinations. Biological science technicians perform data analysis procedures, evaluate findings, and create data reports. They also ensure the cleanliness of the laboratory, including the laboratory tools and equipment, to prevent contamination that may affect the accuracy of test results. A biological science technician must have excellent scientific knowledge, especially on the application of scientific methods, assessing research studies, and other related scientific principles.
A biological technician assists medical and biological scientists in conducting laboratory experiments and tests. As a biological technician, you will perform a variety of tasks that include setting up, maintaining, and cleaning laboratory equipment and instruments such as test tubes and microscopes, collecting and preparing biological samples, and analyzing experimental data, and interpreting results. In addition, you will assist medical scientists by administering new treatments and medicines to laboratory animals. You will also perform different techniques such as specimen staining to aid identification.
Biological science technicians and biology laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Biological Science Technician | Biology Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $35,390 | $38,514 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $47,000 | Between $29,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Watertown Town, MA | South San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | SenesTech | University of California |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a biological science technician and a biology laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Biological Science Technician | Biology Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between biological science technicians' and biology laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Biological Science Technician | Biology Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.0% Female, 49.0% | Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 12.7% White, 53.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4% | Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% Asian, 12.7% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |