Also called: Micro Lab Tech
Prepares samples, media, and equipment for microbiology testing.
Pours agar plates, labels samples, sterilizes glassware, and runs simple tests under a supervisor. Keeps meticulous records.
Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate in biotechnology or lab science; some HS grads train on the job.
Ways in: 2-year college, On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Biotechnology (associate), Biology.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). Estimate.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Plate pourers, auto-washers and imaging robots take over routine prep; fewer entry techs, more who run machines.
Classes: Biology, Chemistry, Biotechnology CTE class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-4021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.