ECONOMIC WORKFORCE DATA
Career Examples
MEDICAL SCIENTIST
Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities. Includes physicians, dentists, public health specialists, pharmacologists, and medical pathologists who primarily conduct research. For more information: Occupation Outlook Handbook or O*Net
​
Sample of reported job titles: Associate Director, Experimental Medicine; Clinical Laboratory Scientist; Clinical Pharmacologist; Investigator; Laboratory Director; Post-Doctoral Fellow; Research Scientist; Scientist; Senior Research Scientist; Senior Scientist
MEDIAN WAGE
In California - 2019
$108,340 (salary)
$52.09 (hourly)
​
In the U.S. - 2019
$88,790 (salary)
$42.69 (hourly)
EDUCATION
Doctoral
or
Professional Degree
RELATED JOBS
WORK STYLE
Integrity
Initiative
Dependability
Analytical Thinking
Attention to Detail
TRAINING
Work Experience in a Related Occupation: None
​
On-the-Job Training: None
NUMBER OF JOBS
130,700 (2018)
JOB OUTLOOK
8% faster than average (2018-28)
EMPLOYMENT CHANGE
10,600Â (2018-28)
BIOLOGICAL TECHNICIANS
Biological technicians help biological and medical scientists conduct laboratory tests and experiments. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs. For more information: Occupation Outlook Handbook or O*Net
​
Sample of reported job titles: Biological Science Laboratory Technician, Biological Science Technician, Biological Technician, Laboratory Technician, Marine Fisheries Technician, Research Assistant, Research Associate, Research Specialist, Research Technician, Wildlife Biology Technician
MEDIAN WAGE
In California - 2019
$51,960 (salary)
$24.98 (hourly)
​
In the U.S. - 2019
$45,860 (salary)
$22.05 (hourly)
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s degree in biology or a closely related field.
It is important for prospective biological technicians to gain laboratory experience while in school.
WORK STYLE
Attention to Detail
Dependability
IntegrityÂ
Independence
Analytical Thinking
TRAINING
Work Experience in a Related Occupation: None
​
On-the-Job Training: None
NUMBER OF JOBS
85,000 (2018)
JOB OUTLOOK
7% faster than average (2018-28)
EMPLOYMENT CHANGE
5,700Â (2018-28)
MEDICAL AND CLINICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGIST
Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff. For more information: Occupation Outlook Handbook or O*Net
​
Sample of reported job titles: Chief Medical Technologist; Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS); Clinical Laboratory Technologist; Histologist Technologist; Medical Laboratory Technologist (Medical Lab Tech); Medical Technologist (MT); Medical Technologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist; Microbiologist; Microbiology Technologist; Research Assistant
In California - 2019
$58,120 (salary)
$27.94 (hourly)
​
In the U.S. - 2019
$53,120 (salary)
$25.54 (hourly)
Bachelor’s degree in biology or a closely related field.
It is important for prospective technicians to gain laboratory experience while in school.
WORK STYLE
Attention to Detail
Dependability
IntegrityÂ
Analytical Thinking
Cooperation
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.
For more information: Occupational Outlook Handbook or O*Net
​
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
In California - 2019
$82,070 (salary)
$24 (hourly)
​
In the U.S. - 2019
$59,150 (salary)
$22.05 (hourly)
Bachelor’s degree in biology or a closely related field.
It is important for prospective technicians to gain laboratory experience while in school.
WORK STYLE
Attention to Detail
IntegrityÂ
Self Control
Analytical Thinking
Stress Tolerance
Analytical Thinking
TRAINING
Work Experience in a Related Occupation: None
​
On-the-Job Training: Moderate-term
NUMBER OF JOBS
16,700 (2018)
JOB OUTLOOK
14% Much faster than average (2018-28)
EMPLOYMENT CHANGE
2,400Â (2018-28)