How much does a biological technician make?
The median biological technician in the United States earns $57,510 per year, about $27.65 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all biological technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-4021.
Biological technician salary range
Pay for biological technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $40,330 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $84,940. The average (mean) wage of $61,380 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,330 | $19.39 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $48,130 | $23.14 | |
| Median (50th) | $57,510 | $27.65 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $71,520 | $34.39 | |
| 90th percentile | $84,940 | $40.84 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for biological technicians (SOC 19-4021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Biological technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Biological technicians earn the most in California at $71,440 a year, and the least in South Dakota at $41,300. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $71,440 | 9,210 |
| New Jersey | $66,040 | 1,290 |
| District of Columbia | $64,770 | 210 |
| Connecticut | $62,360 | 650 |
| Massachusetts | $62,070 | 8,430 |
| North Carolina | $61,720 | 2,460 |
| New York | $61,210 | 5,050 |
| Washington | $60,800 | 3,210 |
| Maine | $60,160 | 510 |
| Colorado | $59,400 | 1,990 |
| Indiana | $58,790 | 1,020 |
| Delaware | $58,550 | 180 |
| Mississippi | $56,930 | 330 |
| Alaska | $56,470 | 410 |
| Illinois | $55,790 | 790 |
| New Hampshire | $55,540 | 240 |
| North Dakota | $55,330 | 250 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,950 | 2,820 |
| Virginia | $53,360 | 1,820 |
| Arizona | $53,290 | 830 |
| South Carolina | $53,040 | 550 |
| Utah | $52,960 | 710 |
| Maryland | $52,900 | 3,470 |
| Georgia | $52,420 | 860 |
| Oregon | $52,190 | 1,590 |
| Wisconsin | $51,750 | 1,800 |
| Nevada | $51,680 | 280 |
| Kansas | $51,630 | 480 |
| West Virginia | $51,440 | 100 |
| Vermont | $51,190 | 220 |
| Ohio | $51,080 | 2,240 |
| Michigan | $51,070 | 1,160 |
| Tennessee | $50,840 | 1,240 |
| Missouri | $50,640 | 620 |
| Texas | $50,130 | 2,730 |
| Montana | $49,920 | 430 |
| New Mexico | $49,570 | 140 |
| Alabama | $49,220 | 270 |
| Kentucky | $48,910 | 260 |
| Hawaii | $48,770 | 830 |
| Florida | $48,700 | 3,170 |
| Nebraska | $48,220 | 600 |
| Minnesota | $48,130 | 1,400 |
| Iowa | $48,050 | 800 |
| Oklahoma | $47,850 | 360 |
| Louisiana | $47,310 | 190 |
| Arkansas | $46,930 | 420 |
| Wyoming | $46,480 | 190 |
| Rhode Island | $45,530 | 140 |
| Idaho | $42,130 | 450 |
| South Dakota | $41,300 | 230 |
State median wages for biological technicians (SOC 19-4021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for biological technicians
The BLS projects employment of biological technicians to grow 7.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 74,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 79,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 9,400 openings a year for biological technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a biological technician
The typical entry-level education for biological technicians is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a biological technician earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $71,440) and the lowest (South Dakota, $41,300) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 69,620 people work as biological technicians in the United States. At $57,510 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Biological technician salary FAQ
How much does a biological technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a biological technician is $27.65. The middle half of biological technicians earn between $23.14 and $34.39 per hour.
What is the highest biological technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of biological technicians earn more than $84,940 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a biological technician make a year?
The median annual salary for a biological technician is $57,510. The average (mean) wage of $61,380 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a biological technician a well paid job?
At $57,510 a year, a biological technician earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 69,620 people work as biological technicians in the United States.
Which state pays biological technicians the most?
California has the highest median salary for biological technicians at $71,440 a year. New Jersey ($66,040) and District of Columbia ($64,770) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a biological technician a good career?
Employment of biological technicians is projected to grow 7.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 9,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a biological technician?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for biological technicians as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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