How much does a biology technician make?
a year · about $28 an hour
A typical biology technician in the United States makes $57,510 a year, about $28 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They set up microscopes and pipettes, prepare blood or bacteria samples, and run tests under a scientist’s supervision. They watch experiments, record results, and clean the equipment.
Did you know? Some biology technicians leave the lab to collect wildlife samples, hiking rugged terrain in wilderness areas and facing harsh weather.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $40,330 and $84,940How do you become one?
In the U.S., most earn a biology-related bachelor’s degree and get lab experience in school. Some jobs accept less schooling with lab experience; animal-care roles may need certification, and workers often start in their early 20s.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like keeping things organized and building and doing
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience and skill, the employer or industry, and location can all affect pay. Local demand and living costs can matter too.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($71,440), lowest in Iowa ($48,050).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,330 | $57,510 | $84,940 | about 70,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $71,440 | about 9,000 |
| New Jersey | $66,040 | about 1,000 |
| Connecticut | $62,360 | about 650 |
| Massachusetts | $62,070 | about 8,000 |
| North Carolina | $61,720 | about 2,000 |
Official definition: Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/biological-technicians.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-4021.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/earnings.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY