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What is a biology laboratory technician and how to become one
A Biology Laboratory Technician is tasked with assisting biological and medical scientists in a lab setting by conducting laboratory tests and experiments as needed and performing other work, more clerical in nature.
They will, amongst other things, document their work, maintain, inspect, and clean laboratory equipment and instruments, such as test tubes and microscopes, gather and prepare biological samples, like blood or food, analyze data, and usually work with advanced software and machinery to conduct the aforementioned tests. Depending on their position, they may work with animals or with bacteria or plants. They might always work in a laboratory setting, or they may have to work out on the field, too.
A candidate for this position will need to have a Bachelor's in Biology or Ecology or a related field of study. Previous laboratory experience is usually necessary as well. A Biology Laboratory Technician earns an average of $19.0 an hour and may go on to be a Research Associate or a Biologist.
Avg. Salary $38,514
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 9%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 2.45%
Asian 12.72%
Black or African American 12.79%
Hispanic or Latino 13.40%
Unknown 6.14%
White 52.50%
Genderfemale 57.42%
male 42.58%
Age - 37American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 37Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
Biology laboratory technician career paths
Key steps to become a biology laboratory technician
Explore biology laboratory technician education requirements
Start to develop specific biology laboratory technician skills
Skills Percentages Lab Equipment 12.26% Molecular Biology 5.93% Chemistry 4.52% Laboratory Procedures 4.37% Biology Lab 4.21% Complete relevant biology laboratory technician training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New biology laboratory technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a biology laboratory technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real biology laboratory technician resumes.Research biology laboratory technician duties and responsibilities
- Lead experiments to assess survivor behavior differences in zebrafish contaminate with dietary mercury.
- Prepare media and reagents necessary for microbiological and electrophoresis analysis.
- Carry out highly complex pharmaceutical and biotechnology studies while maintaining strong relationships with clients and upholding federal regulations for FDA approval.
- Design and implement vegetation survey using GPS and GIS; collect and analyze data for reports.
Prepare your biology laboratory technician resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your biology laboratory technician resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a biology laboratory technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable biology laboratory technician resume templates
Build a professional biology laboratory technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your biology laboratory technician resume.
Apply for biology laboratory technician jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a biology laboratory technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
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Average biology laboratory technician salary
The average biology laboratory technician salary in the United States is $38,514 per year or $19 per hour. Biology laboratory technician salaries range between $29,000 and $50,000 per year.
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Language barrier can be a problem,because communication needs to be formed in the language that each community you interact with understands.
Updated January 8, 2025
