Career Explorer Science
Grows with AI
Biological technicians
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.
More resilient than most: more resilient than 65% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is moderate (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it high), and US jobs are projected to change by +7.4% by 2035, faster than average.
AI can help with many of the tasks, and demand is still growing. Being fluent with AI is the edge here.
- Median pay (2025)
- $57,510
- Job growth to 2035
- +7.4%
- Openings a year
- 9,400
- People doing it (2025)
- 74,400
- Usual route in
- Bachelor's degree
Where people already use AI for this work
- Research biological or ecological phenomena
- Set up equipment
- Purchase goods or services
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Maintain operational records
- Monitor operations to ensure adequate performance
- Collect environmental or biological samples
What the work looks like
- Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
- Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
- Participate in the research, development, or manufacturing of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations.
- Feed livestock or laboratory animals.
- Examine animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Agricultural techniciansGrows with AI, Index 66, +5.4%
- Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and techniciansGrows with AI, Index 77, +11.9%
- Forensic science techniciansHuman edge, growing, Index 87, +13.3%
- Medical equipment repairersHuman edge, growing, Index 92, +12.6%
Also known as: Biological Science Lab Tech (Biological Science Laboratory Technician), Biological Science Technician (Biological Science Tech), Research Assistant, Research Associate, Biologist Aide, Biologist Technician (Biologist Tech), Environmental Technician (Environmental Tech), Fisheries Biological Technician (Fisheries Biological Tech).
Is this career on your child's list?
Build a free Career Playbook matched to your child, or get a 90-day Action Plan with dated next steps, written for your child by name.
Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.