Biotechnical Technician
Key facts
Biotechnical technicians perform technological work in assistance of scientists. They work in laboratory settings where they help scientists to research, develop and test forms of biotechnology. They set up lab equipment, prepare scientific tests and gather scientific data.
Biotechnical technicians are essential members of scientific teams, working alongside researchers to advance biotechnology. Your days will involve meticulous preparation of laboratory equipment, conducting scientific tests, and carefully recording data. You'll be instrumental in ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of research processes, contributing directly to the development of new technologies and solutions.
- • Setting up and maintaining laboratory equipment, ensuring it's functioning correctly.
- • Preparing samples and reagents for scientific testing and experiments.
- • Performing a variety of laboratory tests and procedures under the direction of scientists.
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 biotechnical technician
The outlook for biotechnical 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 biotechnical 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
- perform stem cell transplantation
- contact scientists
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- analyse experimental laboratory data
- analyse scientific data
- perform scientific research
Tasks most exposed to automation
- collect biological data
- gather experimental data
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
Healthcare & Human Services
A typical day as a biotechnical technician
09 09:00 · Morning analyse experimental laboratory data
10 10:30 · Mid-morning perform stem cell transplantation
12 12:00 · Midday analyse scientific data
14 14:00 · Afternoon apply scientific methods
15 15:30 · Late afternoon contact scientists
17 17:00 · Wrap-up collect biological data
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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analyse experimental laboratory data
Analyse experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings
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analyse scientific data
Collect and analyse scientific data resulting from research. Interpret these data according to certain standards and viewpoints in order to comment on it.
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collect biological data
Collect biological specimens, record and summarise biological data for use in technical studies, developing environmental management plans and biological products.
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gather experimental data
Collect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.
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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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run laboratory simulations
Run simulations on prototypes, systems or newly developed chemical products using laboratory equipment.
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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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contact scientists
Listen, reply, and establish a fluid communication relationship with scientists in order to extrapolate their findings and information into a varied array of applications including business and industry.
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perform stem cell transplantation
Carry out bone marrow stem cell transplants.
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).
solid phase microextraction
Solvent-free sample extraction technique to concentrate and isolate analytes from a sample matrix. It uses a volume of sorbent dispersed on small fibre surfaces, following two different steps, an adsorption of solute and a transfer of adsorbed analytes by liquid or thermal desorption.
stem cells
The biological development of human embryonic stem cells, together with the ethical concerns related and the legal requirements involved.
chemical processes
The relevant chemical processes used in manufacture, such as purification, seperation, emulgation and dispergation processing.
crop production principles
Principles in growing crops, the natural cycle, nursing of nature, growth conditions and principles of organic and sustainable production. Quality criterias and requirements of seeds, plants and crop.
food science
The study of the physical, biological, and chemical makeup of food and the scientific concepts underlying food processing and nutrition.
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.
pests and diseases
Types of pests and diseases and the principles of spreading and treating them.
plant species
The variety of plants, trees and shrubs and their special characteristics.
- biology
- laboratory techniques
- life sciences
Path to become a biotechnical 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 3 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.
259 programmes in 20 countries teach the core skills of this job. Plus 40 short courses that build single skills.
A few examples, taught in the language of this page:
Master of Science - Biological Science - by research
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) · Australia
Universal College of Learning · New Zealand
These are 6 of 299.
Sources
- 1. 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.
- 2. Source: Europass Qualification Dataset Register (European Commission)
- 3. Bron: DUO open onderwijsdata
- 4. Source: Study with New Zealand (studywithnewzealand.govt.nz), Education New Zealand. Copyright in the material is owned by Education New Zealand (All content (c) Education New Zealand). Listings are provided by the education providers, are for information and promotional purposes only, and are not endorsed by Education New Zealand; each provider is responsible for its own content.
- 5. Source: Study in Korea, National Institute for International Education (NIIED) (studyinkorea.go.kr).
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does biotechnical 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 scientific fields might a biotechnical technician work in?
Do I need a strong background in biology to become a biotechnical technician?
What skills are particularly important for success as a biotechnical technician?
Is there a shortage of Biotechnical Technician in Europe?
How much does Biotechnical Technician pay in the United States?
Is Biotechnical Technician a regulated profession?
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated October 3, 2026 About our data