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Biological technician vs wildlife technician

The differences between biological technicians and wildlife 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 technician and a wildlife technician. Additionally, a biological technician has an average salary of $43,572, which is higher than the $33,462 average annual salary of a wildlife technician.

The top three skills for a biological technician include GPS, lab equipment and data collection. The most important skills for a wildlife technician are GPS, hand tools, and harvest.

Biological technician vs wildlife technician overview

Biological TechnicianWildlife Technician
Yearly salary$43,572$33,462
Hourly rate$20.95$16.09
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs9,1829,809
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

What does a biological technician do?

A biological technician is in charge of performing laboratory support tasks, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. Their responsibilities typically revolve around gathering and preparing samples, operating laboratory equipment, conducting analysis and experiments, recording every progress, and maintaining documentation. They may also coordinate with other technicians and scientists in various research and development efforts, summarizing findings into reports and presentations. Furthermore, as a laboratory technician, it is essential to maintain the cleanliness and order in the laboratory, all while adhering to its policies and regulations.

What does a wildlife technician do?

A wildlife technician is responsible for supporting wildlife biologists and management personnel on conducting research projects for habitat preservation and environmental welfare. Wildlife technicians create data reports, assist in laboratory examinations, collect biological samples, and maintaining the safety and security of the premises by observing surveillance equipment and adhering to safety policies and protocols. They also operate and inspect the efficiency of tools and equipment, provide routine maintenance, and request immediate repairs as necessary. A wildlife technician helps in planning wildlife programs and managing information dissemination to the public.

Biological technician vs wildlife technician salary

Biological technicians and wildlife technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Biological TechnicianWildlife Technician
Average salary$43,572$33,462
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $61,000Between $25,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CityBerkeley, CASpringfield, MA
Highest paying stateConnecticutNew Hampshire
Best paying companyBristol-Myers SquibbBoulder County
Best paying industryHealth CareManufacturing

Differences between biological technician and wildlife technician education

There are a few differences between a biological technician and a wildlife technician in terms of educational background:

Biological TechnicianWildlife Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Biological technician vs wildlife technician demographics

Here are the differences between biological technicians' and wildlife technicians' demographics:

Biological TechnicianWildlife Technician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 53.2% Female, 46.8%Male, 66.5% Female, 33.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 12.6% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3%Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 10.1% White, 56.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between biological technician and wildlife technician duties and responsibilities

Biological technician example responsibilities.

  • Identify owl species by sight and sound prompt using hoot flute and reed caller.
  • Back sprays, ATV, and boom sprays are used and maintain in this project.
  • Maintain backpack and ATV herbicides equipment.
  • Help harvest walleyes from earthen ponds.
  • Collect and tabulate angler effort, harvest and catch data.
  • Fish surveys, electro fishing, fish deliveries, vegetation control.
  • Show more

Wildlife technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead fish exclusion and relocation efforts, using backpack electro fishing gear.
  • Research new techniques to properly manage invasive species such a common carp.
  • Perform automated DNA and RNA extraction of clinical specimens.
  • Collect and process biological samples for epidemiology PCR and RT-PCR studies.
  • Work with other volunteers and sometimes independently to search for, identify and record GPS coordinates of invasive plant species.
  • Extract nematode specimens from soil samples, remount old nematode slides, and enter vital information into USDA nematode collection database.
  • Show more

Biological technician vs wildlife technician skills

Common biological technician skills
  • GPS, 10%
  • Lab Equipment, 9%
  • Data Collection, 6%
  • PCR, 6%
  • GLP, 5%
  • Tissue Samples, 5%
Common wildlife technician skills
  • GPS, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • Harvest, 7%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • Wildlife Habitat, 6%
  • GRASS, 5%

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