Biology Technician
Snapshot
Biology technicians provide technical assistance in researching and analysing the relationship between living organisms and their environment. They use laboratory equipment to examine organic substances such as bodily fluids, medicines, plants and food. They collect and analyse data for experiments, compile reports and maintain laboratory stock.
Biology technicians are essential members of research teams, providing crucial technical support to scientists and researchers. Your work involves meticulous laboratory procedures, data analysis, and careful record-keeping. You’ll be handling organic materials, operating sophisticated equipment, and ensuring the smooth operation of laboratory environments. This role is ideal for individuals who are detail-oriented, enjoy problem-solving, and thrive in a structured setting.
- • Collecting and analyzing samples, such as bodily fluids, plants, or food, using a variety of laboratory techniques.
- • Operating and maintaining laboratory equipment, ensuring accuracy and safety.
- • Recording and analyzing experimental data, identifying trends and potential issues.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Figures cover Science and engineering associate professionals — 267 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Netherlands, Sweden.
Longest-running shortage: Netherlands, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person’s chances. It describes a market.
Reported demand · Typical pay · Where it is heading (United States, Ireland, Australia, Malta)
| Reported demand | Typical pay | Where it is heading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Not reported | $57,510 2025-05 | +3.5% 2024–2034 · BLS 2024-2034 |
| Ireland | Not reported | — | +13.7% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| Australia | Assessed as balanced Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 * | — | — |
| Malta | Surplus reported ELA/EURES 2024 * | — | — |
* Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS)
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Future Outlook for biology technician
The outlook for biology technician reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could biology technician change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
Model-based estimate. Use it as a planning signal, not a guarantee.
Compare this to your profile
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- apply safety procedures in laboratory
- perform stem cell transplantation
- manage inventory
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- analyse experimental laboratory data
- perform scientific research
- apply scientific methods
Tasks most exposed to automation
- collect biological data
- assist in the production of laboratory documentation
- write technical reports
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Energy & Natural Resources
A typical day as a biology technician
09 09:00 · Morning analyse experimental laboratory data
10 10:30 · Mid-morning apply safety procedures in laboratory
12 12:00 · Midday assist in the production of laboratory documentation
14 14:00 · Afternoon manage inventory
15 15:30 · Late afternoon perform stem cell transplantation
17 17:00 · Wrap-up use laboratory equipment
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
What you need to do this work
The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.
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perform laboratory tests
Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
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use laboratory equipment
Make correct use of laboratory equipment when working in a laboratory.
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calibrate laboratory equipment
Calibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment. Make the measurements in as similar a way as possible.
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perform scientific research
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
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apply scientific methods
Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
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maintain laboratory equipment
Clean laboratory glassware and other equipment after use and it for damage or corrosion in order to ensure its proper functioning.
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collect samples for analysis
Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
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assist in the production of laboratory documentation
Assist in documenting laboratory work, especially paying attention to policies and standard operating procedures.
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apply safety procedures in laboratory
Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.
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perform stem cell transplantation
Carry out bone marrow stem cell transplants.
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write technical reports
Compose technical customer reports understandable for people without technical background.
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analyse experimental laboratory data
Analyse experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings
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manage inventory
Control product inventory in balance of availability and storage costs.
computational biology
The interdisciplinary scientific field that focus on employing data analytics and theories to investigate biological systems obtained through experiments.
cryopreservation
Cryopreservation deals with procedures, risks and conditions applied to cells or tissues in order to prevent contamination and damage. It refers to the preservation of embryos, eggs, semen and testicle tissue by cooling to very low temperatures (typically -80 or -196°C).
laboratory equipment
The tools and equipment used by scientists and other scientific professionals in a laboratory.
stem cells
The biological development of human embryonic stem cells, together with the ethical concerns related and the legal requirements involved.
applied zoology
The science of applying animal anatomy, physiology, ecology, and behaviour in a particular practical context.
botany
The taxonomy or classification of plant life, phylogeny and evolution, anatomy and morphology, and physiology.
evolutionary biology
The study of evolutionary processes from which the diversity of Earth's life forms originated. Evolutionary biology is a subdiscipline of biology and studies Earth's life forms from the origin of life to the dawn of new species.
genomics
The field of study in relation to whole genomes of organisms, as well as their genetic or epigenetic sequence of information. It aims to provide knowledge about the downstream of biological products and the analysis of the structure and function of these sequences through employing recombinant DNA and bioinformatics approaches.
- biology
- laboratory techniques
- life sciences
- scientific research methodology
Path to become a biology technician
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Short-cycle tertiary education
Regulated in 1 countries on record. Minimum EQF 7.
Reflects the EU regulated-professions database. Not legal advice — confirm requirements with the relevant national authority before relying on this for a career or immigration decision.
935 programmes in 30 countries teach the core skills of this job. Plus 26 short courses that build single skills.
A few examples, taught in the language of this page:
Jyväskylän yliopisto · Finland
Master of Applied Science (Biological Science)
Federation University Australia · Australia
These are 6 of 961.
Sources
- 1. Source: Opintopolku.fi (Finnish National Agency for Education)
- 2. Bron: DUO open onderwijsdata
- 3. Source: Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Education), CRICOS, data.gov.au, CC BY 2.5 AU. Data as at 01/09/2026. Adapted by NexPath.
- 4. Contains information from MySkillsFuture Course Run accessed on 2026-09-28 from data.gov.sg which is made available under the terms of the Singapore Open Data Licence version 1.0 (https://data.gov.sg/open-data-licence)
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does biology technician fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
For organisations
The data on this page, working for your students, clients and staff.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of educational background is typically required to become a biology technician?
What are some of the key skills needed to succeed as a biology technician?
What are the typical work conditions for a biology technician?
Is there a shortage of Biology Technician in Europe?
How much does Biology Technician pay in the United States?
Is Biology Technician a regulated profession?
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated October 3, 2026 About our data