Biological Technicians
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.
AI Impact Summary
Biological Technicians faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 37/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 73% of all analyzed occupations. Of 18 analyzed tasks, 6 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Biological Technicians skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
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AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
by Google
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Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Inspired Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence
by Case Western Reserve University
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
18 tasks analyzed
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.
Participate in the research, development, or manufacturing of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations.
Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
Input data into databases.
Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.
Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.
Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.
Feed livestock or laboratory animals.
Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses to evaluate the quantity or quality of physical or chemical substances in food or other products.
Examine animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems.
Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.
Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing or animal feed.
Place orders for laboratory equipment and supplies.
Conduct or supervise operational programs such as fish hatcheries, greenhouses and livestock production programs.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties. | 75Estimated | 79.2% | 8% | |
| Conduct research or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals. | 53.42Observed | 30.4% | 9% | |
| Participate in the research, development, or manufacturing of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations. | 54.83Observed | 48.9% | 5% | |
| Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel. | 61.1Observed | 73.6% | 9% | |
| Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings. | 51Observed | 47.4% | 8% | |
| Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences. | 40Estimated | 31.0% | 5% | |
| Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 5% | |
| Input data into databases. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 5% | |
| Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 8% | |
| Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 8% | |
| Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Feed livestock or laboratory animals. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 3% | |
| Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses to evaluate the quantity or quality of physical or chemical substances in food or other products. | 65Estimated | 59.0% | 8% | |
| Examine animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems. | 54.7Observed | 48.9% | 4% | |
| Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards. | 75Estimated | 79.2% | 4% | |
| Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing or animal feed. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 4% | |
| Place orders for laboratory equipment and supplies. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 2% | |
| Conduct or supervise operational programs such as fish hatcheries, greenhouses and livestock production programs. | 58.33Observed | 38.3% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 28.7%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$52,000
per year
Mean Wage
$58,020
per year
Employment
76K
workers
Wage Range
$38,060 - $81,990
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
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Alternate Career Paths
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Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
33%Higher risk than 55% of other occupations
Histotechnologists and Histologic Technicians
35%Higher risk than 66% of other occupations
Chemical Technicians
36%Median salary: $57,790
Higher risk than 69% of other occupations
Geophysical Data Technicians
36%Higher risk than 69% of other occupations
Agricultural Technicians
38%Higher risk than 74% of other occupations
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
39%Higher risk than 77% of other occupations
Food Science Technicians
42%Higher risk than 85% of other occupations
Social Science Research Assistants
43%Median salary: $58,040
Higher risk than 88% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Biological Technicians professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change