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What does a biological technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Shailesh Lal
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.

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Biological technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real biological technician resumes:

  • 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.
  • Complete first aid and CPR training for both adults and children.
  • Identify all capture fish, implant coded-wire tags into majority of coho.
  • Transport and stock lakes with walleye minnows for maximum enjoyment of resident and tourist fishermen.
  • Conduct creel surveys: interview sport anglers about their fishing effort and sample their catch.
  • Update historical and current sighting information and location in the geographical information system (GIS).
  • Work on a resistance board weir collecting biological data from adult coho and winter run steelhead.
  • Sample ESA list species by use of backpack electro- shocker in high mountain streams to assess population dynamics.
  • Participate in creel and marine pot surveys to estimate crustacean abundance for the purpose of in season management.
  • Design and fabricate adult/juvenile steelhead traps, job box bases, solar panel mounts and a wader drying station.

Biological technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Biological Technicians are proficient in GPS, Lab Equipment, and Data Collection. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Observational skills.

We break down the percentage of Biological Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • GPS, 10%

    Placed and marked the location of Gypsy MothTraps with GPS units, and checked traps later in the season for results.

  • Lab Equipment, 9%

    Assisted in setting up classroom labs Cared for planets in the green room Cleaned and maintained lab equipment

  • Data Collection, 6%

    Work Requirements: -Work independently -Responsible for accurate data collection -Data confidentiality -High attention to detail

  • PCR, 6%

    Assisted in molecular studies to evaluate high profile mutant strains by PCR to identify known resistance genes.

  • GLP, 5%

    Implemented SOP's and GLP regulations to ensure accuracy and integrity of data.

  • Tissue Samples, 5%

    Worked at various locations collecting biological data and tissue samples from fish that are brought in by the anglers.

Most biological technicians use their skills in "gps," "lab equipment," and "data collection" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential biological technician responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a biological technician to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "biological technicians need to conduct scientific experiments and analyses with accuracy and precision." Biological technicians often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "collected experimental data and performed water quality analysis for aquatic toxicity testing and on-site field studies keeping detailed and precise records. "

Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform biological technician duties is communication skills. Biological technicians responsibilities require that "biological technicians must understand and follow the instructions of their managing scientists." Biological technicians also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "maintained effective communication with our collaborators and student staff to create an organized system for data collection and processing. "

Observational skills. This is an important skill for biological technicians to perform their duties. For an example of how biological technician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "biological technicians must constantly monitor their experiments." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a biological technician: "used keen observational skills and strong communication with conservation law enforcement to find and remove trespassers. ".

Technical skills. For certain biological technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "technical skills." The day-to-day duties of a biological technician rely on this skill, as "biological technicians need to set up and operate sophisticated equipment and instruments." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what biological technicians do: "resolved the technical difficulties of the pcr of amplifying calreticulin, its and coi genes 5. "

All biological technician skills

The three companies that hire the most biological technicians are:

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Compare different biological technicians

Biological technician vs. Laboratory internship

A laboratory intern is responsible for assisting laboratory operations and perform examinations and experiments under the supervision of tenured laboratory staff. Laboratory interns shadow all the laboratory processes, document their observations, and conduct an in-depth analysis of the results. They must have excellent knowledge of scientific procedures, demonstrating their class learnings to practical applications. A laboratory intern must be detail-oriented, especially on conducting and verifying the accuracy of research materials. It is also required for a laboratory intern to be a fast-learner, understanding the scientific complexities to master various approaches.

If we compare the average biological technician annual salary with that of a laboratory internship, we find that laboratory interns typically earn a $8,267 lower salary than biological technicians make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between biological technicians and laboratory interns are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like lab equipment, data collection, and glp.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between biological technicians and laboratory internship. For instance, biological technician responsibilities require skills such as "gps," "pcr," "data entry," and "molecular biology." Whereas a laboratory internship is skilled in "lab procedures," "chemistry," "python," and "c++." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Laboratory interns really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $48,851. Comparatively, biological technicians tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $49,428.The education levels that laboratory interns earn slightly differ from biological technicians. In particular, laboratory interns are 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a biological technician. Additionally, they're 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Biological technician vs. Research and development assistant

A research and development assistant is responsible for supporting the research team in collecting studies and information to support research claims and evaluate data materials. Research and development assistants interview participants, conduct data and statistical analysis, and interpret survey results. They ensure to document all findings and research progress and report any concerns to the research supervisor for immediate resolution. A research and development assistant must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in participating in brainstorming sessions and finalize research subjects as required.

A career as a research and development assistant brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a biological technician. In fact, research and development assistants salary is $19,585 higher than the salary of biological technicians per year.A few skills overlap for biological technicians and research and development assistants. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "gps," "lab equipment," and "data collection. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real biological technician resumes. While biological technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "tissue samples," "molecular biology," "wildlife habitat," and "sample collection," research and development assistants use skills like "laboratory equipment," "assist r," "java," and "gmp."

On average, research and development assistants earn a higher salary than biological technicians. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, research and development assistants earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $71,587. Whereas biological technicians have higher pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $49,428.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Research and development assistants tend to reach higher levels of education than biological technicians. In fact, they're 7.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for biological technicians in the next 3-5 years?

Shailesh LalShailesh Lal LinkedIn profile

Professor, Oakland University

Of course, online education and long distance teleconferencing are predicted to have a dramatic impact on everyday life after the pandemic. As Bill Gates recently said, 50% of the corporation related travel will be replaced permanently by virtual meetings. The advancement in vaccination development, mass production, and enhanced distribution to billions of world population will significantly and positively create an unprecedented job market in the pertinent biomedical engineering field. The biomedical engineers are also expected to play an integral role in long term medical implications and rehabilitation of recovered patients from COVID19 infection, and preparation of a task force to combat future pandemics.

Biological technician vs. Scientist

A scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.

An average scientist eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of biological technicians. The difference in salaries amounts to scientists earning a $53,772 higher average salary than biological technicians.biological technicians and scientists both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "data collection," "glp," and "molecular biology," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a biological technician is likely to be skilled in "gps," "lab equipment," "pcr," and "tissue samples," while a typical scientist is skilled in "chemistry," "patients," "cell culture," and "java."

Scientists make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $134,486. On the other hand, biological technicians are paid the highest salary in the health care industry, with average annual pay of $49,428.Most scientists achieve a higher degree level compared to biological technicians. For example, they're 11.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 15.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Biological technician vs. Laboratory researcher

Laboratory researchers are professionals who manage a research laboratory while performing cellular and biochemical experiments with the primary researcher. These researchers must work with hazardous chemicals and should show expertise in handling lab equipment such as glassware and field equipment. They are required to assist with research projects and interpret the test data of an experiment. They must manage the order of all lab equipment by filling up the purchase requisition forms. Laboratory researchers are required to work with students in all aspects of laboratory research.

Laboratory researchers average a lower salary than the annual salary of biological technicians. The difference is about $15,812 per year.According to resumes from biological technicians and laboratory researchers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "lab equipment," "data collection," and "pcr. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between biological technicians and laboratory researchers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a biological technician might have more use for skills like "gps," "tissue samples," "data entry," and "gis." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of laboratory researchers require skills like "lab procedures," "cell culture," "chemistry," and "laboratory research. "

In general, laboratory researchers earn the most working in the education industry, with an average salary of $30,412. The highest-paying industry for a biological technician is the health care industry.laboratory researchers reach similar levels of education compared to biological technicians, in general. The difference is that they're 2.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 2.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of biological technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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