Also called: Bioreactor Technician, Fermentation Operator
Runs the tanks where engineered microbes grow and make products.
Sterilizes a bioreactor, inoculates it with yeast, watches oxygen and pH readings through the night, and takes samples for the lab.
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 on-the-job training.
Ways in: 2-year college, On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Biotechnology.
Growing faster than average. Growing with precision fermentation.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Sensors and control software watch tanks and alarm on problems; sterile setup, sampling and fixing equipment stay hands-on.
Classes: Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology CTE class, Algebra II.
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.