What Is Biotechnology?
The term “biotechnology” encompasses a broad range of separate technologies that affect an increasing number of careers and industries.
Four primary fields — medicine, agriculture and animal husbandry, general industry and environmental protection — have benefited from advances in biotechnology. See How Is Biotechnology Used? for specific examples.
Career Options in Biotechnology
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Career Voyages for in-demand occupations, core occupational fields in biotechnology are:
- Research and development, the foundation for biotechnology
- Quality control and assurance, meeting specifications for precision and safety
- Manufacturing and production, making the products
- Agriculture
- Bioprocessing, producing a biological material for commercial use
- Bioinformatics, the computer basis of the science
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Employers in biotechnology-related fields include:
- Agricultural companies
- Colleges and universities
- Food processing industries
- Industrial companies
- Medical schools
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Research and development
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Specialty areas include:
- Agricultural engineering
- Environmental testing
- Food safety
- Genetic engineering
- Healthcare industry sales
- Industrial production
- Molecular biology
- Molecular diagnostics
- Regulatory agencies and inspection
- Vaccine production
- Wastewater treatment
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Depending on the level of continued education, job titles may include:
- Chemical analyst
- Chemical technician
- Clinical research associate
- Genetic research technician
- Laboratory assistant
- Laboratory technician
- Laboratory scientist
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Career Voyages lists in-demand occupations in biotechnology.
America’s Career Infonet and the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook (2008-2009 edition) give detailed information about the skills, abilities, work activities and recommended education for:
Salaries and Projected Job Growth
According to America’s Career Infonet, nationwide, average salaries for biotechnology-related occupations include:
| Job |
Hourly Rate |
Annual Salary |
Projected Growth Through 2014 |
| Agricultural and food science technician |
$15.26 |
$31,700 |
+13% |
| Biological technician |
$17.17 |
$35,700 |
+17% |
| Chemical technician |
$18.87 |
$39,200 |
+4% |
| Environmental science and protection technician |
$18.31 |
$38,100 |
+16% |
| Medical and clinical lab technician |
$15.79 |
$32,800 |
+25% |
Biotechnology Named by U.S. Department of Labor as One of Top Emerging Technologies
“Over the decade ending 2014 ... the U.S. will need [more than] 3 million health care providers and technical specialists, including physicians, therapists and [more than] 1.2 million registered nurses. There will also be [more than] 3.5 million job openings in the education, training and library occupations fields. Other high growth fields include geospatial technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology and advanced manufacturing. So, more than ever before, education, training and retraining are the keys to future earnings.”
— Speech by U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao at the Society for Human Resources Management in Washington, D.C., March 13, 2007