Biological Technician Salary
Biological Technicians earn a median $57,510 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What biological technicians do
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.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.4% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 9,400
Employment of biological technicians is projected to grow 7.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 9,400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Biological Technician take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,721
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,566
- Medicare (1.45%)$834
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$48,389
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,330 | $19.39 | $34,585 |
| 25th percentile | $48,130 | $23.14 | $40,852 |
| Median (50th) | $57,510 | $27.65 | $48,389 |
| 75th percentile | $71,520 | $34.38 | $59,144 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,940 | $40.84 | $68,585 |
Best cities for biological technicians (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $95,220 | $69,954 | $60,507 | 2,690 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $61,610 | $48,823 | $45,096 | 7,320 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $62,780 | $49,831 | $44,269 | 3,270 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- San Francisco, CA — $95,220
- New York, NY — $62,780
- Boston, MA — $61,610
Biological Technician salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $71,440 | +11.6% | $55,656 | $46,700 – $121,670 | 9,210 |
| New Jersey | $66,040 | +4.1% | $53,142 | $47,650 – $97,850 | 1,290 |
| District of Columbia | $64,770 | +15.8% | $51,459 | $42,230 – $81,560 | 210 |
| Connecticut | $62,360 | −3.9% | $50,405 | $39,520 – $92,180 | 650 |
| Massachusetts | $62,070 | −4.5% | $49,170 | $49,880 – $94,760 | 8,430 |
| North Carolina | $61,720 | +34.0% | $49,818 | $41,300 – $79,070 | 2,460 |
| New York | $61,210 | +4.2% | $48,654 | $39,040 – $79,630 | 5,050 |
| Washington | $60,800 | +15.4% | $51,033 | $45,720 – $79,580 | 3,210 |
| Maine | $60,160 | +22.1% | $47,639 | $46,450 – $79,510 | 510 |
| Colorado | $59,400 | +8.8% | $48,003 | $49,480 – $79,380 | 1,990 |
| Indiana | $58,790 | +17.4% | $47,713 | $45,140 – $84,900 | 1,020 |
| Delaware | $58,550 | +5.0% | $46,652 | $44,570 – $77,910 | 180 |
| Mississippi | $56,930 | +12.4% | $46,378 | $38,550 – $79,440 | 330 |
| Alaska | $56,470 | +4.9% | $47,554 | $44,720 – $76,860 | 410 |
| Illinois | $55,790 | +12.2% | $44,390 | $36,230 – $79,440 | 790 |
| New Hampshire | $55,540 | +6.9% | $46,806 | $41,410 – $77,860 | 240 |
| North Dakota | $55,330 | +14.0% | $46,638 | $44,950 – $69,150 | 250 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,950 | +14.9% | $44,645 | $43,270 – $80,530 | 2,820 |
| Virginia | $53,360 | +8.3% | $42,801 | $40,330 – $79,470 | 1,820 |
| Arizona | $53,290 | +2.8% | $43,875 | $44,040 – $81,960 | 830 |
| South Carolina | $53,040 | +12.4% | $42,772 | $35,710 – $74,890 | 550 |
| Utah | $52,960 | +4.5% | $43,316 | $40,330 – $82,500 | 710 |
| Maryland | $52,900 | +7.7% | $42,536 | $41,270 – $82,280 | 3,470 |
| Georgia | $52,420 | +4.9% | $42,202 | $42,940 – $72,420 | 860 |
| Oregon | $52,190 | +9.4% | $40,378 | $40,330 – $73,740 | 1,590 |
| Wisconsin | $51,750 | +4.4% | $42,265 | $40,330 – $73,570 | 1,800 |
| Nevada | $51,680 | +6.2% | $43,705 | $37,620 – $65,930 | 280 |
| Kansas | $51,630 | +6.7% | $41,583 | $36,700 – $82,650 | 480 |
| West Virginia | $51,440 | +9.1% | $41,927 | $41,620 – $90,900 | 100 |
| Vermont | $51,190 | +5.7% | $42,030 | $44,390 – $64,890 | 220 |
| Ohio | $51,080 | +2.3% | $42,600 | $36,400 – $79,490 | 2,240 |
| Michigan | $51,070 | +6.6% | $41,295 | $38,900 – $67,870 | 1,160 |
| Tennessee | $50,840 | −13.1% | $43,030 | $41,440 – $80,330 | 1,240 |
| Missouri | $50,640 | +6.9% | $41,426 | $38,800 – $74,600 | 620 |
| Texas | $50,130 | +2.7% | $42,459 | $36,960 – $80,600 | 2,730 |
| Montana | $49,920 | +6.0% | $40,701 | $40,330 – $64,980 | 430 |
| New Mexico | $49,570 | — | $40,845 | $40,330 – $61,610 | 140 |
| Alabama | $49,220 | +7.3% | $39,532 | $35,610 – $62,230 | 270 |
| Kentucky | $48,910 | +14.0% | $39,885 | $35,280 – $73,040 | 260 |
| Hawaii | $48,770 | +8.4% | $39,171 | $36,090 – $63,520 | 830 |
| Florida | $48,700 | +4.0% | $41,310 | $36,050 – $78,130 | 3,170 |
| Nebraska | $48,220 | +2.1% | $39,610 | $35,380 – $67,200 | 600 |
| Minnesota | $48,130 | +5.9% | $39,096 | $40,940 – $73,280 | 1,400 |
| Iowa | $48,050 | −6.3% | $39,614 | $39,310 – $72,510 | 800 |
| Oklahoma | $47,850 | +3.0% | $39,020 | $38,990 – $75,360 | 360 |
| Louisiana | $47,310 | −11.8% | $39,161 | $32,390 – $77,400 | 190 |
| Arkansas | $46,930 | −0.3% | $38,271 | $34,920 – $73,750 | 420 |
| Wyoming | $46,480 | +4.5% | $39,527 | $40,330 – $62,980 | 190 |
| Rhode Island | $45,530 | +4.9% | $37,673 | $43,830 – $79,060 | 140 |
| Idaho | $42,130 | +6.5% | $34,907 | $36,030 – $59,010 | 450 |
| South Dakota | $41,300 | +4.4% | $35,365 | $38,170 – $56,620 | 230 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,090 | Associate's degree | +6.9% |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 | Associate's degree | +4.9% |
| Forest and Conservation Technician | $54,560 | Associate's degree | -2.1% |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $53,350 | Associate's degree | +3.6% |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $61,990 | Bachelor's degree | +5.0% |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,280 | Associate's degree | +4.4% |
| Food Science Technician | $52,130 | Associate's degree | +4.8% |
| Hydrologic Technician | $64,790 | Associate's degree | -1.3% |
| Agricultural Technician | $49,630 | Associate's degree | +5.4% |
| Forensic Science Technician | $72,060 | Bachelor's degree | +13.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a biological technician make?
The national median salary for biological technicians is $57,510 a year ($27.65 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $40,330 and the top 10% earn over $84,940. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays biological technicians the most?
California has the highest median pay at $71,440. After taxes and local prices, San Francisco, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many biological technicians are there in the U.S.?
About 69,620 people work as biological technicians nationwide.