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Job outlook for science technicians in the United States
Are science technician jobs in demand?
Science technician job and salary trends over time
Science technician jobs over time
Science technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,068 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,190 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,160 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 2,103 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 2,036 | 0.00% |
Average science technician salary over time
Science technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $35,570 | $17.10 | +1.0% |
| 2025 | $35,202 | $16.92 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $34,158 | $16.42 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $33,621 | $16.16 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $32,638 | $15.69 | +2.1% |
Science technician jobs by state
Most common states for science technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 988 | 14% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 88 | 14% |
| 3 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 147 | 11% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 104 | 11% |
| 5 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 77 | 11% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 77 | 10% |
| 7 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 106 | 8% |
| 8 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 87 | 8% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 435 | 7% |
| 10 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 415 | 7% |
| 11 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 136 | 7% |
| 12 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 73 | 7% |
| 13 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 41 | 7% |
| 14 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 778 | 6% |
| 15 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 501 | 6% |
| 16 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 349 | 6% |
| 17 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 329 | 6% |
| 18 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 223 | 6% |
| 19 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 116 | 6% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 46 | 6% |
Most common cities for science technicians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bethesda | 1 | 2% | $38,565 |
| 2 | Idaho Falls | 1 | 2% | $31,940 |
| 3 | Pensacola | 1 | 2% | $32,710 |
| 4 | Severn | 1 | 2% | $39,100 |
| 5 | Peoria | 1 | 1% | $40,474 |
| 6 | Baltimore | 3 | 0% | $39,361 |
| 7 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $37,631 |
| 8 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $32,943 |
| 9 | Chandler | 1 | 0% | $28,289 |
| 10 | Jacksonville | 1 | 0% | $32,570 |
| 11 | New York | 1 | 0% | $48,654 |
| 12 | San Diego | 1 | 0% | $38,786 |
| 13 | San Francisco | 1 | 0% | $41,057 |
| 14 | Washington | 1 | 0% | $38,865 |
Science Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of science technician experts
Lake Superior State University
Coastal Carolina University
Stockton University
Norfolk State University
Maryville University
Paine College
Wright State University
Howard University, College of Medicine
Ripon College
California Polytechnic State University- San Luis Obispo
University at Albany, State University of New York
Chatham University
University of Akron
University of Central Missouri
Elizabethtown College
Oakland University
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
University of Wisconsin
What general advice would you give to a Science Technician?
Dr. Kevin Kapuscinski Ph.D.: Traditional fisheries skills such as setting and lifting nets, and collecting biological data from fish will continue to be important. Managing, analyzing, and interpreting data using spreadsheets and statistical software are also essential in fisheries. Other skills such as acoustic telemetry (deploying & maintaining receivers, implanting fish with transmitters), analyzing spatial data or other 'big data' sets, and laboratory skills (e.g., eDNA, water quality, emerging contaminants) are likely to increase in demand as technologies continue to develop.
What general advice would you give to a Science Technician?
Jennifer Slate PhD: Because there are so many types of jobs in biology, there is a job to suit everyone! Jobs may be people-oriented, focus primarily on labwork, or even allow one to spend time outdoors. Many (but not all) jobs in biology require further education after finishing the bachelor’s degree. Biology graduates often go on to health professional programs, to obtain teaching certification, or to obtain a master’s or PhD degree.
What will help Science Technicians increase their earning potential?
Jennifer Slate PhD: There are so many different types of jobs in biology, to suit people of different interests. Biologists work in health care, in research labs, in environmental protection, and in teaching- just to name a few fields. Responsibilities on a day-to-day basis will depend upon the particular job field. Common skills required on a daily basis include use of computer software, ability to make and record detailed observations, and teamwork/communication skills.
What general advice would you give to a Science Technician?
Danielle Silvia: There are many emerging trends and changes in the natural world making biology a fascinating career to embark on. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of biology is predicted to see a 5% increase in job growth through 2032, as biologists are in high demand across areas such as healthcare, environmental science, sustainability, biotechnology, and more. Due to pressing issues like climate change, the disappearance of species and nature, public health crises, drug development, and genetic engineering, becoming a biologist today will provide career advancement tomorrow. You’ll have the opportunity to make a difference in important areas of society while pursuing an intellectually stimulating career for the long-term.
What Science Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Danielle Silvia: A day in the life of a biologist typically involves researching various forms of life, such as bacteria, animals, plants, how they impact the world around them, and vice versa. Biologists may run experiments to work towards answering these questions, using some of the latest and greatest scientific tools and techniques in a laboratory setting. The job scope also includes collecting and reviewing data from research and experiments, and creating reports based on findings to solve important problems. Biologists work at all levels on organisms from the molecular to the whole organism to populations.
Derek Crane Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorCoastal Carolina University
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, And Population Biology
What will help Science Technicians increase their earning potential?
Derek Crane Ph.D.: Some of our greatest challenges as a global society, such as food security under a changing climate, predicting, preventing, and handling of future pandemics, and rapid loss of biodiversity are based in biology. We need smart, energetic, and motivated people to address these issues.
What general advice would you give to a Science Technician?
Dr. Adam Aguiar Ph.D.: Biology offers a variety of career opportunities in labs, industry, journalism, environmental organizations, policy-making, teaching, etc. The field is essential for addressing societal challenges and is stable in society.
Nazir Barekzi Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorNorfolk State University
Biology
What general advice would you give to a Science Technician?
Nazir Barekzi Ph.D.: In order to maximize the salary potential in the field of Biology, stay focused to the fundamental basics and use your skillset to problem solve obstacles and overcome them with confidence. You are no longer in the classroom, so it's time to show off all that you know. In addition, leverage your skills learned in hands-on labs to maximize your salary potential.
Stacy Donovan Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology and Forensic ScienceMaryville University
College of Arts and Sciences
What soft skills should all Science Technicians possess?
Stacy Donovan Ph.D.: -Ability to work independently
-Ability to work collaboratively
-Ability to communicate effectively to a wide variety of stakeholders
-Ability to ask questions
Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of BiologyPaine College
Department Of Mathematics Sciences & Technology
What soft skills should all Science Technicians possess?
Srinivas Sonne Ph.D.: Flexibility, Communication, Leadership, Team work, thorough understanding of underlying concepts for biological principles, etc., are required for Biology students.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Science Technician job market given the pandemic?
Dr. William Romine Ph.D.: The pandemic has placed a number of constraints on how we are able to socialize. The biggest trends center on navigating around these social constraints while facilitating quality educational experiences. Since more schooling is being done in the home, one trend we see is that parents are becoming more involved with teaching. Assuming this trend continues, it is conceivable that teachers may step into more of a consulting role where they are teaching the parents as well as the kids and providing suggestions for pedagogical and assessment best practices that can be carried out in the home. This is not completely new in special education but likely to become more widespread if the trend of virtual learning continues.
How have salaries changed over time for Science Technicians?
Dr. William Romine Ph.D.: It's difficult to provide a precise answer since it depends on a lot of factors. In my field of learning analytics, salaries depend on whether one chooses academia or industry, and the particular home department. The field of data science has a lot of options in terms of discipline, type of work, and location. Although it is not always easy to control our salary, this offers a lot of flexibility to consider cost of living and work-life balance in our long-term financial plans.
What type of skills will young Science Technicians need?
Dr. Janine Ziermann: The trend to be hyperflexible was already starting before the pandemic and became even more emphasized during the pandemic. Future workforce, both academic and research, will be required to think on their feet, learn to adapt immediately when unforeseen events occur, and be able to navigate a multitude of programs (teaching, collaboration, analyses, etc.). Being constantly aware of trends in teaching is a plus for all that apply for positions at universities.
Current and future graduate students have already proven to be resilient, a key skill that must continue. Clear communication is more important than ever with the increasing number of international students in graduate programs and international research collaborators necessary to complete vital areas of research for publications, grants, presentations, etc. Overall, graduate students should note what things they liked and disliked during their time in their respective program courses. They can then choose to keep some aspects and modify others when they are hired as faculty members, research post-docs, or research faculty in the next stages of their careers.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Science Technicians?
Benjamin Grady Ph.D.: Much like every other facet of society, the global pandemic has, and will continue to impact college graduates. In the short term, the job market certainly looks different with priorities having changed. What the global pandemic has highlighted is the importance of careers relating to scientific research and medical and health care. Recent vaccine development relied on years of previous molecular research to understand immune response, transcription, and gene expression.
What type of skills will young Science Technicians need?
Benjamin Grady Ph.D.: I believe upcoming college graduates will still need to show the ability to solve problems, cooperate, and communicate effectively. Adaptability has allowed us to navigate many changes in the way we have operated over the past year. Graduates that possess diverse educational and service backgrounds are more likely to demonstrate the ability to adapt to changing conditions in the workplace.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Science Technician job market given the pandemic?
Pat Fidopiastis Ph.D.: My research on the association between a beneficial marine bacterium and a species of squid ground to a halt during the pandemic. However, it took very little effort to convert my molecular-oriented lab to the headquarters for SARS CoV2 wastewater surveillance at my university. In order to pull this off, additional skill sets needed to be developed quickly. For example, my graduate student needed to learn how to operate wastewater auto samplers and follow more rigorous safety protocols. By making this switch, money became available for salaries, equipment, and supplies, allowing me to continue to operate my lab. My own experience is playing out across the entire biotech industry. The pandemic has forced companies to come up with strategies for becoming more nimble to handle rapidly changing circumstances.
Not surprisingly, the pandemic has invigorated vaccine and drug development, including repurposing older drugs, rapid diagnostic tools, gene editing in disease treatment and prevention, nucleic acid sequencing, immune therapy, and bioinformatics, among other pursuits. Companies with expertise in these technologies and the ability to quickly adapt them to emerging problems will always be among the winners. For example, Johnson & Johnson developed a vaccine platform for Ebola that was seamlessly adapted for use against SARS CoV2. As a result, they were able to quickly bring their vaccine to Phase 3 clinical trials and secure a promised payday of one billion dollars for a safe and effective vaccine.
What skills stand out on Science Technician resumes?
Douglas Conklin Ph.D.: The main skill that always stands out is research experience. Taking what you've learned in the classroom and applying it to a real-world problem is invaluable - and it's never too early to start. Research skills are highly transferable. Experience with thinking that is both objective and creative is useful in many fields - not just biology research. A recent study by the National Institute of Health concluded that obtaining an advanced degree in a research-based field is worth $1 million in additional earnings over your career - whether you stay in research or not. Being able to identify, understand and solve problems are skills that all organizations want their team members to have.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Science Technicians to find work opportunities?
Douglas Conklin Ph.D.: The good news is that there seem to be more and more positions in biological fields every year. There are opportunities in many locations. I often counsel students I know to think about the possibility of needing a plan B when considering where to work. Moving to an area of the country that has a concentration of organizations in your field will mean that you won't have to move if you want to change jobs - or are forced to do so. Since many people's lives get more complicated as they get older - spouses, children, other family - working in a part of the country that has a concentration of organizations in your field may make it less disruptive in the future. It often makes it easier to network with people in your field if they work down the street.
What skills stand out on Science Technician resumes?
John Dubé Ph.D.: In terms of resumes, students need to demonstrate the soft skills. How did they use networking skills in school or at a job? How do they communicate effective, verbally and in writing? In what ways did their coursework or job help with critical thinking? Teamwork, a positive attitude, and leadership skills are also critically important. I also think that employers will want them to have the technical skill necessary to transition into a position (e.g., Zoom, Teams, word processing, spreadsheet management, and others specific to the particular field).
What experience really stands out on Science Technician resumes?
Dr. Randall J Mitchell: You will never have all the background needed for any particular position, but having a wide variety of experience and a record of responsibility and completion will help demonstrate that you can learn on the job. Any experience of any kind can be important for that demonstration. It's obviously nice if the experience is related to your desired job, but sometimes that's hard to do - build up to it in any way you can, and try to develop connections and network. Some of the best experiences come from being in the right place at the right time, and that is more likely if you are in a lot of different activities and get to know people. For field and environmental types, volunteer or paid work with park districts, time outdoors, and experience with identifying plants can make a big difference. Experience writing reports and presenting projects is important. And as an aside - grades aren't that important here. Focus on what you learn and what you can do, not just on getting good scores. Some of the best learning comes in the hardest things for you, so don't avoid hard classes that will be valuable.
What Science Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Randall J Mitchell: Writing clearly, demonstrating (and developing) responsibility, and anything even distantly related to your desired career is helpful. If you can do this for pay, that's obviously helpful and convenient, but you probably will need to do volunteer work, at least in part. For field and environmental biology students, get out hiking, fishing, hunting, botanizing, and managing the property. The more field experience you can get, the better. Use this time to sample and try as many options that interest you as possible. Figure out what makes you happy and what you are good at. Or, you may need to use that time to make some money so you'll have a cushion once you return to school.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Science Technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Randall J Mitchell: Coding and/or using software (even just a spreadsheet) is important. Photo and image software abilities are useful too. For field and environmental biology students, GIS (geographic information Systems - computer maps) can make a big difference in making you a desirable hire (if nothing else, get good with google earth pro, which is free and pretty powerful!). I think that drone skills and remote sensing/image analysis will be of increasing importance. Abilities with radio tagging and GPS tagging can be a help too in the right situation. DNA and environmental DNA skills also have a role and will be of increasing importance.
Dr. Scott Lankford Ph.D.
School ChairUniversity of Central Missouri
School of Natural Sciences
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Science Technician job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Scott Lankford Ph.D.: The healthcare fields are experiencing high demand still, so I would predict a strong job market to continue in that sector. We also continue to see demand for graduates in technology and research-related careers, so I do not expect a decreased need for graduates in the sciences. If anything, the pandemic has either delayed or derailed some students on their path to the job market, so there might be increased initial competition, once everyone gets back on track.
What Science Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Scott Lankford Ph.D.: A student can achieve many co-curricular experiences in a gap year that would add tremendous value to their degree. In the sciences, these include getting a job related to your area of interest to build critical experiences that can inform your future career direction, enrolling in small certificate programs to obtain credentials verifying specialized skills relevant to your desired career, and taking advantage of internship or research experiences that are still available. Unfortunately, those opportunities have been impacted by the pandemic, but they are still out there.
What general advice would you give to a Science Technician?
Dr. Scott Lankford Ph.D.: Never stop networking in your discipline. The apparent impact of this is increased future opportunity, which causes people, happy with their situation, to focus inwardly on their organization. However, these networking experiences not only improve your professional capacity, but they sometimes lead to positive changes in your organization overall.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Science Technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Jodi Lancaster Ph.D.: Wow, this is challenging to answer because the pace of change in biotechnology is so rapid. I expect we will see increased efficiencies in standard biotechnology techniques such as PCR, RT-PCR, and qPCR. The need to analyze vast data sets is already becoming necessary (i.e., use of data mining software, R programming, etc.). Assuming the mRNA-based COVID19 vaccines are successful, there may be opportunities to reformulate some current vaccines with a lower efficacy.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Science Technician job market given the pandemic?
Shailesh Lal: The recent advancement in vaccine technology from three different pharmaceutical giants Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca, has completely altered the trending job market of this ongoing pandemic. Vaccines with more than 95% of predicted vaccination efficacy and their availability in the next few weeks have lit up a light at the end of the tunnel. Although the next several months are going to be deadly, according to CDC prediction, the availability of vaccination is likely to bring the pandemic to its knees by April-June next year. Accordingly, the economy will be bound in all sectors of life outside the norms of the essential workers. The job growth for bioengineers, particularly in biomedical engineering, is projected to grow by ~5% between 2019 to 2029, which is faster than the average projected for all other occupations in other fields of engineering.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Science Technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Shailesh Lal: 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.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Science Technicians, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Shailesh Lal: Biomedical Engineering is a thriving field that implements engineering technology in the health profession to fundamentally transform the field of medicine. As the aging group of the American population is expected to live much longer and be more active, the requirement for biomedical devices and associated procedures, such as hip and knee replacement, is expected to considerably increase. Bioengineers gain employment in diverse fields, which includes academics in higher education, pharmaceutical corporations, research, and development, manufacturing medical devices, etc. Biomedical Engineering skills are in high demand because they possess a rare combination of expertise in both the engineering and medical field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average U.S. bioengineering salary is nearly $100,000. link
Scott Cooper Ph.D.
Professor of Biology and Director of Undergraduate Research and CreativityUniversity of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Biology Department
How do you envision technology impacting Science Technicians in the next 5 years?
Scott Cooper Ph.D.: Technology has a significant impact on this field in managing and sharing large data sets. This could be genomic and proteomic experiments, as well as medical records. Collaborations are also increasingly digital, so learning how to manage a team online is an important skill.
Dr. Scott Hygnstrom
Professor and Extension Wildlife SpecialistUniversity of Wisconsin
Center for Wildlife
How do you envision technology impacting Science Technicians in the next 5 years?
Dr. Scott Hygnstrom: Without a doubt, social media and mobile technology will continue to have a huge impact on the wildlife field in the next 5 years. I can't keep up with it, but it is in the blood of our recent graduates. I was the first graduate student to write a thesis on a computer at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1983. It has been incredible to see how computers have advanced our work and lives in the last 37 years. Knowledge is increasing at an exponential rate. The latest edition of our trade magazine, The Wildlife Professional https://wildlife.org/the-september-october-issue-of-the-wildlife-professional-3/ features artificial intelligence on the cover and addresses the opportunities that machine learning is providing in the conservation and management of wildlife. Who knows where technology will take us in the future?