DNA Assembly Technician

Also called: Molecular Biology Technician, Cloning Technician

Prepares and checks DNA samples in a synthetic biology or gene synthesis lab.

A day in the life

Runs gels to check DNA sizes, preps plates for robots, and sends samples for sequencing to confirm each construct is correct.

Pay over a career

Starting
$38k
Typical
$48k
High
$60k

Estimate.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate or bachelor's in biology or biotechnology.

Ways in: 2-year college, 4-year college. Training cost: Under $15k.

Majors to look at: Biotechnology.

Outlook

Growing faster than average. Growing.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

High risk for 10 years. Gene synthesis is being industrialized: robots run gels and plates, and AI checks sequences, so far fewer manual techs are needed.

Start now, in high school

Classes: Biology, Chemistry, Biotechnology CTE class.

Official data: O*NET occupation 19-4021.

More Synthetic Biology & Bioengineering careers

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.