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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Biological Technicians

Part of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources, in the Plant Systems pathway.

Bright outlookJob zone 4: considerable preparationO*NET 19-4021.00

What the work is

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.

On a typical day

  • Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
  • Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.
  • Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.
  • Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
  • Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
  • Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.

What it pays

$49,430
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $39,700
Experienced workers reach $78,000
  1. $40k10th
  2. $44k25th
  3. $49kMedian
  4. $62k75th
  5. $78k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $39,700, 25th $44,000, Median $49,430, 75th $62,470, 90th $78,000

About 170 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+12.1%

employment change in the Alamo region, 480 to 538 jobs · U.S. +4%

59

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 9,100

480

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 82,700

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Reading Comprehension4.6
  2. Critical Thinking4.0
  3. Active Listening3.8
  4. Science3.6
  5. Active Learning3.9
  6. Writing3.8
  7. Speaking3.8
  8. Monitoring3.8

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. High school or less1%
  2. Certificate1%
  3. Some college1%
  4. Bachelor's degree63%
  5. Master's degree29%
  6. Doctoral or professional4%

Job zone 4, considerable preparation: Usually a bachelor's degree, sometimes a strong associate plus experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • Northeast Lakeview
  • Northwest Vista
  • Palo Alto
  • St. Philip's
  • San Antonio
  1. Biology

    Transfer pre-major · Science & Technology

  2. Biology: Pre-Professional

    Transfer pre-major · Health & Biosciences

  3. General Science

    Transfer pre-major · Science & Technology

  4. Biology

    Transfer pre-major · Health & Biosciences

  5. Biology

    Degree · Transfer pre-major · Science & Technology

  6. Biology

    Transfer pre-major · Science & Technology

  7. Biology

    Transfer pre-major · Science & Technology

  8. Biology: Pre-Professional

    Transfer pre-major · Health & Biosciences

Apply to Alamo Colleges

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