Oregon Labor Market Information System
Occupational Information Center
Occupational Report for Biological Technicians (19-4021) , Oregon Statewide
Occupational Description

Assist biological and medical scientists in laboratories. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

Employment Outlook for Biological Technicians
Statewide Employment Analysis 2008 employment is estimated to be somewhat larger than the regional average. This occupation is expected to grow at at about the regional average rate. Total job openings are projected to be somewhat higher than the regional average.

Reasonable employment opportunities exist for trained workers.

Data Sources and Limitations
Current Employment Department Job Openings for Biological Technicians There are 5 current openings for this occupation. Openings 1 through 5 are listed below.
Job Title Date Posted Location Wage Offered
Experimental Biology Aide 8/12/10 Tillamook $1,979/mo to $2,052/mo DOE
Research Assistant 2 8/17/10 Portland
Science Lab Preparator - 03528 8/24/10 Eugene $14.97/hr to $21.61/hr
0006175 - Bio Science Research Tech 2 8/31/10 Newport $2,138/mo to $2,960/mo
0006145 - Bio Science Research Technician 2 8/30/10 Aurora $12.33/hr to $17.08/hr
Job Openings from the Web for Biological Technicians The following job openings have been automatically extracted from various sites across the Web. These links are provided as supplemental resources. However, the Employment Department cannot validate these openings nor endorse any of these external sites. Some of these jobs may no longer be open. In some cases, a single opening may be posted on multiple sites.

There are 4 current openings for this occupation. Openings 1 through 4 are listed below.

Job Title Date Posted Location Employer
Lab Tech 138138 8/21/10 Hillsboro Sapphire Technologies U. S.
0006105 - Faculty Research Assistant 8/20/10 Portland
0006101 - Bio Science Research Tech 1 8/18/10 Brookings
Research Assistant 2 or Senior Research Assistant 8/10/10 Portland OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
State of Oregon License Information for Biological Technicians No statewide license is required for this occupation.
Wages for Biological Technicians
Region ---------------- 2010 Wages ----------------
Percentiles (hourly wages) Avg
Hourly
($/hr)
Avg
Annual
10th 25th 50th
(median)
75th 90th
Oregon Statewide $12.40 $14.17 $16.91 $20.67 $24.56 $17.75 $36,911
Multnomah / Washington 12.93 14.50 17.23 20.60 24.73 18.15 37,752
Marion / Polk / Yamhill 12.49 14.96 17.47 21.53 25.44 18.36 38,203
Lane 11.62 13.11 14.92 18.49 22.86 16.18 33,664
Douglas 11.11 12.59 14.92 17.18 19.28 15.12 31,465
Coos / Curry 11.33 13.19 15.26 19.64 22.97 16.47 34,248
Jackson / Josephine 12.54 13.97 16.05 18.48 22.19 16.50 34,321
Gilliam / Hood River / Sherman / Wheeler / Wasco 13.01 14.25 16.55 20.21 22.81 17.30 35,997
Klamath / Lake 10.90 13.35 14.93 16.64 19.72 15.26 31,724
Morrow / Umatilla 10.90 14.61 16.08 19.57 23.57 16.91 35,163
Baker / Union / Wallowa 11.88 12.62 14.92 18.09 20.99 15.62 32,480
Grant / Harney / Malheur 11.89 13.35 16.64 20.37 22.53 16.99 35,330
Clackamas 11.95 13.79 16.22 19.44 22.24 16.88 35,100
Data Sources and Limitations
Regional Employment Projections for Biological Technicians
Region Employment Change % Change Projected Annual Openings
2008 2018 Growth Replacement Total
Oregon Statewide 2,510 2,747 237 9.4% 24 92 116
Multnomah / Washington 1,130 1,321 191 16.9% 19 43 62
Benton / Lincoln / Linn 380 403 23 6.1% 2 14 16
Lane 198 213 15 7.6% 2 7 9
Jackson / Josephine 136 146 10 7.4% 1 5 6
Crook / Deschutes / Jefferson 78 86 8 10.3% 1 3 4
Marion / Polk / Yamhill 76 81 5 6.6% 1 3 3
Clackamas 70 75 5 7.1% 1 3 3
Baker / Union / Wallowa 66 67 1 1.5% 0 2 2
Klamath / Lake 66 69 3 4.5% 0 2 3
Douglas 60 61 1 1.7% 0 2 2
Clatsop / Columbia / Tillamook 57 60 3 5.3% 0 2 2
Gilliam / Hood River / Sherman / Wheeler / Wasco 51 53 2 3.9% 0 2 2
Morrow / Umatilla 50 50 0 0.0% 0 2 2
Coos / Curry 47 48 1 2.1% 0 2 2
Grant / Harney / Malheur 40 40 0 0.0% 0 1 1

Replacement openings are caused by existing workers permanently leaving their occupation. Many additional job openings occur due to job changes within occupations.
Data Sources and Limitations
Industries of Employment for Biological Technicians
Industry
Click links to view infoUSA employers
Ownership 2008
Employment
Total, All Industries All 2,510
Total, All Industries Private 542
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting Private 99
Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry Private 99
Support Activities for Forestry Private 99
Manufacturing Private 74
Chemical Manufacturing Private 72
Basic Chemical Manufacturing Private 57
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Private 330
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services Private 59
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services Private 83
Scientific Research and Development Services Private 176
Total, All Industries Federal 518
Federal Government (Non-Postal) Federal 518
Total, All Industries State 572
Educational Services State 195
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools State 195
Public Administration State 377
Administration of Environmental Quality Programs State 377
Total, All Industries Local 843
Educational Services Local 831
Total, All Industries Tribal 35
Educational Requirements for Biological Technicians Workers must have an associate to gain the necessary skills for this occupation. However, those with a bachelor's degree have a competitive advantage in this labor market.
Skills for Biological Technicians
  • Analyze Blood Samples
  • Apply Bacteriology Theory
  • Apply Basic Chemistry
  • Apply Biochemistry Theory
  • Apply Biological Theory
  • Apply Chemical Laboratory Tests
  • Apply Genetic Theory
  • Apply Microbiology Theory
  • Apply Physiological Knowledge
  • Apply Quality Assurance Techniques
  • Apply Research Methodology To Science Or Engineering
  • Apply Safe Waste Disposal Procedures
  • Apply Statistical Methods
  • Catch Fish And Other Marine Life Using Nets Or Traps
  • Compile Data
  • Conduct Field Research
  • Conduct Fish, Wildlife, Habitat Or Related Surveys
  • Conduct Laboratory Research
  • Conduct Quantitative Analysis
  • Conduct Vivisection
  • Design Tables Depicting Data
  • Explain Complex Mathematical Information
  • Follow Hazardous Materials Specifications
  • Hunt Or Trap Wild Animals
  • Identify Sex Or Age Of Fish Or Wildlife
  • Identify Wildlife, Fish Or Flora Species
  • Interpret Computerized Data And Reports
  • Operate 4 Wheel-Drive Vehicles Or Atvs
  • Operate Precision Measuring Devices, Tools And Equipment
  • Perform Microbiology Procedures
  • Prepare Reports In Timely Manner
  • Prepare Vaccines, Biologicals And Serums
  • Process Records And Maintain Forms And Files
  • Research Work-Related Topics Using Library Resources
  • Understand, Use, And Communicate Technical Information
  • Use Algebra
  • Use Biological Research Techniques
  • Use Biological Testing Instruments
  • Use Calculus
  • Use Personal Digital Assistants Or Hand-Held Data Recorders
  • Use Physical Science Research Techniques
  • Use Quantitative Research Methods
  • Use Radio Telemetry Equipment To Track Animals
  • Work As A Team Member
Schools and Training Providers for Biological Technicians No programs of training are associated with this occupation.
Career Pathway Roadmaps for Biological Technicians These Oregon community colleges have defined career pathway roadmaps to facilitate entry into this occupation:

Portland Community College
Related Occupations The scores listed below indicates how closely the skills for Biological Technicians matches the occupation in the list. A score of 100% means the occupations have identical skill sets. A maximum of 10 occupations are displayed below.
Occupation Skill Overlap
Agricultural And Food Science Technicians 52%
Life Scientists, All Other 43%
Biochemists And Biophysicists 42%
Biological Scientists, All Other 40%
Microbiologists 39%
Life, Physical, And Social Science Technicians, All Other 38%
Environmental Science And Protection Technicians, Including Health 38%
Zoologists And Wildlife Biologists 38%
Forensic Science Technicians 38%
Chemical Technicians 37%