Biological Technicians

Biological Technicians score 42 out of 100, which is elevated exposure to AI. That ranks #398 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 18 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 3 on its own and 8 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 6 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

42/ 100

Elevated

Rank: #398of 923 jobs
US workers: 69,620BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $57,510a year
In real AI use: 6 of 18tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 3 (17%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 8 (44%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 7 (39%)

Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Input data into databases.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Place orders for laboratory equipment and supplies.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Participate in the research, development, or manufacturing of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses to evaluate the quantity or quality of physical or chemical substances in food or other products.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Examine animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Feed livestock or laboratory animals.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing or animal feed.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Conduct or supervise operational programs, such as fish hatcheries, greenhouses and livestock production programs.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about biological technicians and AI

Will AI replace biological technicians?

Not entirely. Parts of the job are likely to change as AI takes over routine tasks. Biological Technicians score 42 out of 100 (elevated exposure), #398 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 11 of the job's 18 tasks, 3 of them on its own, while 7 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which biological technicians tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties"; "Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities"; "Input data into databases".

Which biological technicians tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals"; "Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination"; "Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 6 of the 18 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as biological technicians, and what do they earn?

About 69,620 people in the US, with median pay of $57,510 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.