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The average salary of a Biological Science Technician in the United States is approximately $35,390 per year, which translates to about $17 per hour. This figure can vary significantly based on several factors, including geographical location, years of experience, and specific job responsibilities.
For instance, states like California and Massachusetts offer higher salaries compared to the national average, thanks to their robust scientific research sectors. In California, Biological Science Technicians can earn upwards of $40,000, reflecting the high demand and cost of living.
Entry-level positions typically start around $28,000, while those with more experience can command salaries exceeding $45,000. This salary progression highlights the potential for growth within the field.
Major cities such as San Francisco and Boston frequently rank among the highest-paying locations for Biological Science Technicians, offering competitive salaries and numerous job opportunities.
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The highest-paying states for biological science technicians are Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. The lowest average biological science technician salary states are North Dakota, Indiana, and Utah.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $45,218 | $21.74 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $43,789 | $21.05 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $44,724 | $21.50 |
| 4 | Illinois | $41,482 | $19.94 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | $40,060 | $19.26 |
| 6 | New Mexico | $34,742 | $16.70 |
| 7 | Oregon | $35,703 | $17.16 |
| 8 | Maine | $34,389 | $16.53 |
| 9 | New York | $41,631 | $20.01 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $41,517 | $19.96 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $39,078 | $18.79 |
| 12 | Washington | $37,981 | $18.26 |
| 13 | Wyoming | $32,699 | $15.72 |
| 14 | California | $38,948 | $18.73 |
| 15 | Arkansas | $33,092 | $15.91 |
| 16 | Michigan | $33,078 | $15.90 |
| 17 | Georgia | $34,215 | $16.45 |
| 18 | Maryland | $34,368 | $16.52 |
| 19 | Tennessee | $33,211 | $15.97 |
| 20 | Idaho | $30,580 | $14.70 |
| 21 | Arizona | $31,546 | $15.17 |
| 22 | Delaware | $31,848 | $15.31 |
| 23 | Nevada | $31,610 | $15.20 |
| 24 | Alaska | $31,417 | $15.10 |
| 25 | Minnesota | $33,340 | $16.03 |
| 26 | Vermont | $30,961 | $14.89 |
| 27 | District of Columbia | $34,390 | $16.53 |
| 28 | Iowa | $32,051 | $15.41 |
| 29 | West Virginia | $29,629 | $14.24 |
| 30 | Pennsylvania | $32,984 | $15.86 |
| 31 | Colorado | $30,960 | $14.88 |
| 32 | Nebraska | $31,112 | $14.96 |
| 33 | Ohio | $32,114 | $15.44 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $32,072 | $15.42 |
| 35 | Mississippi | $29,640 | $14.25 |
| 36 | Florida | $29,426 | $14.15 |
| 37 | Virginia | $31,434 | $15.11 |
| 38 | Hawaii | $31,096 | $14.95 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $27,800 | $13.37 |
| 40 | Montana | $24,624 | $11.84 |
| 41 | Louisiana | $29,632 | $14.25 |
| 42 | Texas | $29,546 | $14.20 |
| 43 | Missouri | $27,973 | $13.45 |
| 44 | South Dakota | $24,713 | $11.88 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $28,391 | $13.65 |
| 46 | Utah | $25,112 | $12.07 |
| 47 | Kansas | $27,441 | $13.19 |
| 48 | North Carolina | $27,083 | $13.02 |
| 49 | Alabama | $24,500 | $11.78 |
| 50 | North Dakota | $25,348 | $12.19 |
| 51 | Indiana | $25,126 | $12.08 |
The highest-paying cities for biological science technicians are Watertown Town, MA, Buffalo, NY, and Davis, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Watertown Town, MA | $45,244 | $21.75 |
| 2 | Buffalo, NY | $41,101 | $19.76 |
| 3 | Davis, CA | $40,682 | $19.56 |
| 4 | Peoria, IL | $40,461 | $19.45 |
| 5 | Madison, WI | $39,740 | $19.11 |
| 6 | Seattle, WA | $38,298 | $18.41 |
| 7 | Albuquerque, NM | $34,755 | $16.71 |
| 8 | Baltimore, MD | $34,537 | $16.60 |
| 9 | Washington, DC | $34,420 | $16.55 |
| 10 | Saint Paul, MN | $33,335 | $16.03 |
| 11 | Ames, IA | $31,965 | $15.37 |
| 12 | Phoenix, AZ | $31,543 | $15.16 |
| 13 | Las Vegas, NV | $31,368 | $15.08 |
| 14 | Fort Collins, CO | $30,929 | $14.87 |
| 15 | Boca Raton, FL | $29,466 | $14.17 |
| 16 | Manhattan, KS | $27,573 | $13.26 |
| 17 | Grand Forks, ND | $26,025 | $12.51 |
A biological science technician's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $47,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
| 75th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| Average | $35,390 | $2,949 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
The highest paying types of biological science technicians are research and development technician, biologist, and research assistant, chemistry department.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laboratory Internship | $35,305 | $2,942 | $16.97 | 90,970 |
| Biologist | $65,158 | $5,430 | $31.33 | 5,741 |
| Research Laboratory Technician | $38,308 | $3,192 | $18.42 | 86,476 |
| Research And Development Technician | $83,552 | $6,963 | $40.17 | 111,268 |
| Research Technician | $43,034 | $3,586 | $20.69 | 64,786 |
| Forestry Technician | $35,758 | $2,980 | $17.19 | 5,810 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for biological science technicians, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Shailesh Lal
Professor, Oakland University
Top companies hiring biological science technicians now:
Biological science technician salaries at SenesTech and US Meat Animal Research Center are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average biological science technician salary at companies like National Park Foundation and Forest are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SenesTech | $42,590 | $20.48 |
| 2 | US Meat Animal Research Center | $41,910 | $20.15 |
| 3 | National Park Foundation | $41,564 | $19.98 |
| 4 | Forest Manufacturing Co | $38,439 | $18.48 |
| 5 | Eton Bioscience | $37,874 | $18.21 |
| 6 | Imperial CRS | $37,734 | $18.14 |
| 7 | Bureau of Land Management | $37,382 | $17.97 |
| 8 | Broward County Public Schools | $36,780 | $17.68 |
| 9 | USDA | $36,461 | $17.53 |
| 10 | Baltimore City Community College | $29,421 | $14.14 |
The average biological science technician salary has risen by $5,239 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average biological science technician earned $30,151 annually, but today, they earn $35,390 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for biological science technicians over the last decade.
Compare biological science technician salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare biological science technician salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $35,400 | $17.01 | +1.0% |
| 2024 | $35,000 | $16.84 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $34,000 | $16.34 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $33,500 | $16.08 | +2.9% |
| 2021 | $32,500 | $15.61 | +2.0% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon State University | Biological Science Research Technician 2 (Soil and Water Management) | Corvallis, OR | 06/25/2025 | $36,585 |
| Department of The Interior | Biological Science Technician (Plants) (Seasonal) | Oneida, TN | 06/24/2025 | $40,332 |
| National Older Worker Career Center | Biological Science Technician (Onsite) | Sidney, MT | 06/05/2025 | $62,610 |
| Department of The Interior | Biological Science Technician (Wildlife) | Kilauea, HI | 05/23/2025 | $52,154 |
| Oregon State University | Biological Sciences Research Technician 3 | Corvallis, OR | 05/22/2025 | $39,215 |
| Department of The Interior | Biological Science Technician (Fish) | Spearfish, SD | 05/17/2025 | $40,342 |
| Department of The Interior | Biological Science Technician (Wildlife) (Seasonal) | Washington, DC | 04/29/2025 | $45,601 |
| Department of The Interior | Seasonal-Biological Science Technician (Plants) | Hope, ID | 04/24/2025 | $40,342 |
| Oregon State University | Biological Science Research Technician 2: Sample Coordinator | Corvallis, OR | 04/22/2025 | $35,354 |
| Colorado State University | Biological Science Field Technician-Fort | Fort Collins, CO | 04/11/2025 | $40,000 |
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