Career comparison
Biochemist vs. Biological Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Biochemists earn more at the median ($127,410 vs. $57,510), while biological technicians usually get to work faster (4 years of training). Biochemists study the chemistry of living things to develop medicines and new technologies. Biological technicians run experiments and lab work that power biology and biotech research.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Biochemist | Biological Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $127,410 ($61.26/hr) | $57,510 ($27.65/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $74,290 – $201,110 | $40,330 – $84,940 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +12.3% (much faster than average) | +7.4% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 2,900 | 9,400 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 5–6 years after a bachelor’s | 4 years |
| Key credential | Ph.D. | ASCP Technologist in Molecular Biology |
| Work setting | Biochemists work in labs at universities, biotech and pharma companies.. | Biological technicians work in labs, sometimes with biohazards and research animals.. |
What each job does
Biochemist
- Design experiments
- Purify proteins
- Run assays
- Analyze data
- Write papers
Biological Technician
- Prepare samples and reagents
- Run experiments and assays
- Culture cells and microorganisms
- Operate lab instruments
- Record and analyze data
How they’re similar
Both careers involve in-demand, working with information, problem-solving, and indoor work. Both are part of the science, engineering & lab field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose biochemist if…
- I love biology and chemistry
- I’m persistent
- I like lab work
Choose biological technician if…
- I love biology
- I like hands-on experiments
- I’m patient and precise
Still torn? Take the Biochemist fit quiz and the Biological Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, biochemist or biological technician?
Biochemists earn more at the median: $127,410 versus $57,510 for biological technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Biological Technicians typically train faster (4 years) than biochemists (5–6 years after a bachelor’s).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects biochemists to grow +12.3% from 2025–35, compared with +7.4% for biological technicians.