Biological technologists and technicians
Career Overview
Biological technologists and technicians provide technical support and services to scientists, engineers and other professionals working in fields such as agriculture, resource management, environmental protection, plant and animal biology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology and health sciences.
People in this occupation:
- Work independently in these fields
- Are employed both in laboratory and field settings by government, manufacturers of food products, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, biotechnology companies, health, research and educational institutions, environmental consulting companies and resource and utilities companies
- Have an interest in natural processes
- Should be able to make precise observations, draw conclusions from data, and communicate technical information clearly and accurately
- Must also be flexible and versatile, particularly when undertaking field work
Job Titles
Duties
Technologists usually have a higher or more specialized level of training than technicians.
Biological technologists:
- Set up and conduct biological, microbiological and biochemical tests and laboratory analyses in support of research and quality control in food production, sanitation, pharmaceutical production, biotechnology and other fields
- Apply methods and techniques such as microscopy, histochemistry, chromatography, electrophoresis and spectroscopy
- Perform experimental procedures in agriculture, plant breeding, animal husbandry, biology and biomedical research
- Conduct field research and surveys to collect data and samples of water, soil, and plant and animal populations
- Conduct environmental monitoring and compliance activities for the protection of fisheries stock, wildlife and other natural resources
- Analyze data and prepare reports
- Conduct or supervise operational programs such as fish hatchery, greenhouse and livestock production programs
Biological technicians:
- Assist in conducting biological, microbiological and biochemical tests and laboratory analyses
- Perform limited range of technical functions in support of agriculture, plant breeding, animal husbandry, biology, biomedical research and environmental protection
- Assist in conducting field research and surveys to collect data and samples of water, soil, and plant and animal populations
- Assist in analysis of data and preparation of reports
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
1,565% Employed Full Time
60%Biological technologists and technicians typically work a 35 to 40-hour work week. Some jobs, such as fisheries management, can require shift work and extended hours. Other jobs can require workers to relocate to remote sites for extended periods of time.
Most biological technologists and technicians work indoors in laboratories, offices or production facilities although outdoor field work is often required and may include travel into wilderness areas or onto the open ocean.
Field work can be physically demanding, and workers may be required to bend, lift, stretch and work on their feet all day. Workers can be exposed to toxic substances or bodily fluids, however, appropriate safety measures are followed in order to minimize health risks. Some aspects of the work may be dirty or involve high levels of odour, depending on the particular job or the industry where the work is being done.
Career Pathways
Some technologists and technicians working in support of government and academic research in biology are university graduates. Biological technologists and technicians can advance to supervisory positions or start their own businesses with experience. However there is limited mobility between the occupations in this group.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
Biological technologists and technicians must usually complete a two to three-year college program in a field related to agriculture, biology, microbiology, wildlife or resource management for employment as a biological technologist. Completion of a one to two-year college program in a related field is required for employment as a biological technician.
The following are other beneficial qualifications that a person in this career may complete:
- Professional certification is available for biological technologists and technicians through the College of Applied Biologists
- Completion of a Diploma of Technology or its equivalent is required for the Applied Science Technologist (AScT) designation
- Completion of a Certificate of Technology or its equivalent is required for the Certified Technician (CTech) designation
- Both technologists and technicians must also have completed two years of relevant work experience to be certified
For more information, visit the College of Applied Biologists at: www.cab-bc.org/.
Biological technologists and technicians who are certified for that occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.
For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.
Contact the College of Applied Biologists and/or SkilledTradesBC for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.
For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.
View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.
Education programs in B.C.
Top Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
1,565Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 40 | 2.6% |
| Kootenay | 40 | 2.6% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 670 | 42.9% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 70 | 4.5% |
| Northeast | 10 | 0.6% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 145 | 9.3% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 590 | 37.8% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
390Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 10 | 0.3% |
| Kootenay | 10 | 0.5% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 230 | 1.5% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 0 | -2.0% |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 40 | 0.8% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 110 | 0.6% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 130 |
| Public Administration | 110 |
| Agriculture and Fishing | 70 |
| Manufacturing | 40 |
| Educational Services | 10 |
Insights from Industry
Of the new opportunities that arise, a significant number will come from the need to replace retiring workers.
Biological technologists and technicians are employed across a variety of industries, including government, health care, biotechnology, fisheries, environmental consulting and education. This diverse employment base means that job growth in this occupation generally mirrors the overall growth of the provincial economy.
The Professional business services industry employs biological technologists and technicians in the provision of services such as environmental consulting, laboratory services and services to biotechnology companies. These areas are all expected to see increased levels of economic activity and employment growth.
The growing prominence of environmental issues for federal, provincial and municipal government agencies will create additional employment opportunities for biological technologists and technicians. Similarly, the Health care industry is experiencing higher demands as the population ages and requires increasing health care services.
The introduction of automation technology, such as auto-samplers, will result in a need for fewer workers to do the same volume of work. However, biological technologists and technicians who have basic instrumentation skills will be in demand to maintain and trouble-shoot these pieces of equipment.
Resources
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Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC)www.asttbc.org
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BioTalent Canadawww.biotalent.ca
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Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT)www.cctt.ca
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Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society (CMBES)www.cmbes.ca
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College of Applied Biology of British Columbia, Employment Postingswww.cab-bc.org/job-postings
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Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Regionwww.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
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LifeSciences British Columbiawww.lifesciencesbc.ca
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College of Applied Biologistswww.cab-bc.org