National
| Median wages (2008) |
$18.46 hourly, $38,400 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
79,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Faster than average (14% to 20%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
41,000 additional employees |
19-4021.00 - Biological Technicians
Assist biological and medical scientists in laboratories. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.
Sample of reported job titles:
Biological Technician, Research Associate, Laboratory Technician, Biological Science Laboratory Technician, Research Specialist, Research Assistant, Research Technician, Environmental Technician, Resource Biologist, Wildlife Biology Technician
Tasks
- Conduct research or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
- Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
- Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
- Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
- Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.
- Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.
- Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing or animal feed.
- Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.
- Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses to evaluate the quantity or quality of physical or chemical substances in food or other products.
- Examine animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Inverted microscopes — Light/tissue culture microscopes |
| Manual or electronic hematology differential cell counters — Automated cell counters; Coulter counters; Hematology cell counters |
| Microplate readers — Automated microplate ELISA readers |
| Robotic or automated liquid handling systems — Automatic pipetters; Liquid handling robots; Robotic laboratory equipment |
| Temperature cycling chambers or thermal cyclers — Polymerase chain reaction PCR machines; Polymerase chain reaction PCR thermocyclers |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — BD Biosciences CellQuest; Primer3 software; SAS software; Systat Software Table Curve |
| Data base user interface and query software — Database software; Microsoft Access; Thomson EndNote |
| Graphics or photo imaging software — Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop software; Graphics software; Harvard Graphics software |
| Spreadsheet software — IBM Lotus 1-2-3; Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Corel WordPerfect software; Microsoft Word |
