How to become a biological technologist or technician
Official title: Biological technologists and technicians
Also called: Seed technologist, Dairy technologist, Poultry technician, Vaccine technician, Agrology technician, Agronomy technician, Fish roe technician, Wildlife technician, Botanical technician, Fisheries technician, Mammalogy technician, Poultry technologist
Biological technologists and technicians provide technical support and services to scientists, engineers and other professionals working in fields such as agriculture, resource management, environmental protection, plant and animal biology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology and health sciences, or may work independently in these fields. They are employed in both laboratory and field settings by governments, manufacturers of food products, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, biotechnology companies, health, research and educational institutions, environmental consulting companies, and resource and utilities companies.
Main tasks
- Biological technologists
- Set up and conduct biological, microbiological and biochemical tests and laboratory analyses in support of research and quality control in food production, sanitation, pharmaceutical production, biotechnology and other fields
- Apply methods and techniques such as microscopy, histochemistry, chromatography, electrophoresis and spectroscopy
- Perform experimental procedures in agriculture, plant breeding, animal husbandry, biology and biomedical research
- Conduct field research and surveys to collect data and samples of water, soil, and plant and animal populations
- Conduct environmental monitoring and compliance activities for the protection of fisheries stock, wildlife and other natural resources
- Analyze data and prepare reports
- Conduct or supervise operational programs such as fish hatchery, greenhouse and livestock production programs
How to become one
Completion of a two- to three-year college program in a field related to agriculture, biology, microbiology, wildlife or resource management is usually required for employment as a biological technologist. Completion of a one- to two-year college program in a related field is required for employment as a biological technician. Certification with provincial associations is available, but voluntary.
Ways in
- University: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 17 universities in Canada
- University: Science degrees, Offered by 16 universities in Canada
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 38% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Biology, general; Biotechnology; Natural resources conservation and research.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $56,784 a year The middle half earn $44,850 to $67,607.
- About 6,700 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 6,500 are projected by 2033. (-3%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Agricultural and fish products inspectors
- Forestry technologists and technicians
- Conservation and fishery officers
- Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
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Questions people ask
How do I become a biological technologist or technician?
Completion of a two- to three-year college program in a field related to agriculture, biology, microbiology, wildlife or resource management is usually required for employment as a biological technologist. Completion of a one- to two-year college program in a related field is required for employment as a biological technician. Certification with provincial associations is available, but voluntary.
How much does a biological technologist or technician earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $56,784 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $44,850 to $67,607.
Is a biological technologist or technician a growing career in Canada?
Employment is projected to fall 3% by 2033, from about 6,700 to about 6,500 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a biological technologist or technician?
Not always. 45% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees; Science degrees; College or CEGEP program.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03