North Far North Careers

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Life Sciences – Biotechnology

Life Sciences and Biotechnology is the study of living organisms and biological processes, driving solutions to global challenges such as disease prevention and sustainable energy. The industry includes key subsectors such as research and development, biopharmaceuticals, biorenewables, medical devices, and wholesale trade.

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View data from the:

Region
6,369
2024 Jobs
+7%
2024–2029 Projected Change
28.44/hr.
2024 Avg. Entry Level Wage

Top jobs that Require Community College Credentials

How much will I make per hour?

What can I train for? Job openings per year Entry-level Median Experienced
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians 183 $28.19 $38.26 $40.78 View programs
Medical Equipment Preparers 118 $27.03 $36.36 $39.84
Biological Technicians 96 $23.14 $29.72 $37.45 View programs
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other 53 $21.43 $28.10 $36.23 View programs
Medical Equipment Repairers 50 $24.89 $31.46 $46.86 View programs
Chemical Technicians 33 $23.49 $28.09 $34.52 View programs
Forensic Science Technicians 28 $37.65 $46.40 $55.22 View programs

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

Job openings per year:

183

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $28.19/hr.
  • Median: $38.26/hr.
  • Experienced: $40.78/hr.

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Medical Equipment Preparers

Job openings per year:

118

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $27.03/hr.
  • Median: $36.36/hr.
  • Experienced: $39.84/hr.

Biological Technicians

Job openings per year:

96

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $23.14/hr.
  • Median: $29.72/hr.
  • Experienced: $37.45/hr.

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Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other

Job openings per year:

53

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $21.43/hr.
  • Median: $28.10/hr.
  • Experienced: $36.23/hr.

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Medical Equipment Repairers

Job openings per year:

50

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $24.89/hr.
  • Median: $31.46/hr.
  • Experienced: $46.86/hr.

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Chemical Technicians

Job openings per year:

33

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $23.49/hr.
  • Median: $28.09/hr.
  • Experienced: $34.52/hr.

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Forensic Science Technicians

Job openings per year:

28

How much will I make?

  • Entry-level: $37.65/hr.
  • Median: $46.40/hr.
  • Experienced: $55.22/hr.

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Top Employers & Skills

Employers

  • University of California, Davis
  • Sutter Health
  • TestAmerica Laboratories
  • UC Davis Health
  • Ampac Fine Chemicals
  • State of California
  • CommonSpirit Health
  • MercyOne (Mercy General Hospital)
  • United States Department of Justice
  • Davis Memorial Hospital
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • Bayer
  • Cedars-Sinai
  • Adventist Health
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific
  • Eurofins
  • Geisinger Health System
  • American Pacific Corporation
  • IDEXX
  • Norman Regional Hospital

Specialized skills

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Medical Laboratory
  • Laboratory Experience
  • Laboratory Safety
  • Clinical Laboratory Science
  • Microbiology
  • Workflow Management
  • Data Analysis
  • Pathology

Technology & software skills

  • Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word)
  • Spreadsheets
  • Laboratory Information Management Systems
  • R (Programming Language)
  • ArcGIS (GIS Software)
  • Python (Programming Language)
  • Epic EMR
  • Salesforce
  • SAP Applications
  • Operating Systems

Employability skills

  • Communication
  • Research
  • Management
  • Quality Control
  • Detail Oriented
  • Writing
  • Operations
  • Troubleshooting (Problem Solving)
  • Quality Assurance
  • Organizational Skills

Sources: Lightcast 2025.3; QCEW, non-QCEW, Self-Employed. Compiled by the North/Far North Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research. State Economic Blueprint – California Jobs First, February 2025. https://jobsfirst.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/Economic-Blueprint.pdf.

Biological Technicians

Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

Sample of reported job titles:

Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Biological Science Lab Tech), Biological Science Technician, Biological Technician, Laboratory Technician, Marine Fisheries Technician, Research Assistant, Research Associate, Research Specialist, Research Technician, Wildlife Biology Technician

Tasks:

  • Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
  • Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
  • Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
  • Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
  • Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.

Detailed Work Activities:

  • Collect biological specimens.
  • Monitor operational procedures in technical environments to ensure conformance to standards.
  • Interpret research or operational data.
  • Research microbiological or chemical processes or structures.
  • Record research or operational data.

Work Context:

  • Electronic Mail – 85% responded “Every day”
  • Face-to-Face Discussions – 84% responded “Every day”
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate – 36% responded “Very important”
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled – 83% responded “Every day”
  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets – 54% responded “Every day”
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Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other

All life, physical, and social science technicians not listed separately.

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Medical Equipment Repairers

Test, adjust, or repair biomedical or electromedical equipment.

Sample of reported job titles:

Biomed Tech (Biomedical Technician), Biomedical Electronics Technician, Biomedical Engineering Technician (BMET), Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET), Dental Equipment Technician, Electronic Technician, Repair Technician, Service Technician, X-ray Service Engineer

Tasks:

  • Inspect and test malfunctioning medical or related equipment, following manufacturers’ specifications and using test and analysis instruments.
  • Test or calibrate components or equipment, following manufacturers’ manuals and troubleshooting techniques, using hand tools, power tools, or measuring devices.
  • Keep records of maintenance, repair, and required updates of equipment.
  • Perform preventive maintenance or service, such as cleaning, lubricating, or adjusting equipment.
  • Test, evaluate, and classify excess or in-use medical equipment and determine serviceability, condition, and disposition, in accordance with regulations.

Detailed Work Activities:

  • Calibrate equipment to specifications.
  • Test mechanical systems to ensure proper functioning.
  • Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
  • Inspect mechanical equipment to locate damage, defects, or wear.
  • Lubricate equipment to allow proper functioning.

Work Context:

  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate – 73% responded “Extremely important”
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled – 88% responded “Every day”
  • Electronic Mail – 86% responded “Every day”
  • Face-to-Face Discussions – 81% responded “Every day”
  • Telephone – 71% responded “Every day”
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Chemical Technicians

Conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials for research and development of new products or processes, quality control, maintenance of environmental standards, and other work involving experimental, theoretical, or practical application of chemistry and related sciences.

Sample of reported job titles:

Analytical Laboratory Technician (Analytical Lab Technician), Chemical Analyst, Chemical Technician, Laboratory Analyst (Lab Analyst), Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech), Laboratory Tester (Lab Tester), Organic Preparation Analyst (Organic Prep Analyst), Quality Control Laboratory Technician (QC Lab Tech), Quality Control Technician (QC Tech), Research Technician

Tasks:

  • Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.
  • Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment.
  • Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
  • Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy.
  • Prepare chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas.

Detailed Work Activities:

  • Analyze chemical compounds or substances.
  • Clean objects.
  • Maintain laboratory or technical equipment.
  • Evaluate quality of materials or products.
  • Prepare compounds or solutions for products or testing.

Work Context:

  • Electronic Mail – 100% responded “Every day”
  • Face-to-Face Discussions – 99% responded “Every day”
  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets – 100% responded “Every day”
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled – 98% responded “Every day”
  • Exposed to Contaminants – 95% responded “Every day”
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Forensic Science Technicians

Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.

Sample of reported job titles:

Crime Laboratory Analyst, Crime Scene Analyst, Crime Scene Technician (Crime Scene Tech), CSI (Crime Scene Investigator), Evidence Technician, Forensic Science Examiner, Forensic Scientist, Forensic Specialist, Latent Fingerprint Examiner, Latent Print Examiner

Tasks:

  • Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
  • Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
  • Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
  • Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
  • Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.

Detailed Work Activities:

  • Analyze forensic evidence to solve crimes.
  • Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
  • Record research or operational data.
  • Document events or evidence, using photographic or audiovisual equipment.
  • Testify at legal or legislative proceedings.

Work Context:

  • Electronic Mail – 82% responded “Every day”
  • Face-to-Face Discussions – 86% responded “Every day”
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate – 67% responded “Extremely important”
  • Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results – 73% responded “Very important results”
  • Contact With Others – 14% responded “Occasional contact with others”
View more information on this job

The North region encompasses seven counties (El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo, Yuba).

The Far North region encompasses 15 counties (Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity).

Specialized skills are specific to the occupation, or group of occupations, and represent job-specific competencies.

Technical skills refer to the specific software and technology regularly encountered on the job.

Employability skills (sometimes referred to as “common skills”) are foundational skills that cross occupations and industries. Many common skills, like, communication and team work, are also considered soft skills.