Biological Technologists and Technicians
Job description
These individuals provide support and technical services to Scientists or Engineers. They work in various fields (agriculture, biology, health sciences, etc.) for:
- Laboratories
- The government
- Food, chemical, and pharmaceutical manufacturers
- Biotech companies
- Health care and research institutions
- Educational institutions
- Environmental consulting firms
- Resource companies
- Public utilities
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
- Climatic conditions
- Biological agents
- Humidity
- Uncontrolled ambient temperature
Main tasks
- Carry out tests, experiments, and laboratory analyses in biology, microbiology, and biochemistry.
- Apply methods and techniques such as microscopy.
- Conduct field research and examinations to collect data and specimens of water, soil, plants, and animals.
- Conduct audits to ensure the protection of natural resources.
- Analyze data.
- Draft reports.
- Lead or supervise programs in a variety of settings (e.g. fish farms, greenhouses, etc.).
Hourly wage
The hourly wage is calculated by averaging wages from 2022 to 2024.- Minimum
- $18.50
- Median
- $29.80
- Maximum
- $40.00
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects
All of Québec
All of Québec
Total jobs for 2023
All of Québec
All of Québec
Gender distribution
All of Québec
- 53% Female
- 47% Male
- 53% Female
- 47% Male
Job types
All of Québec
- Full time
- Part time
- Full time
- Part time
Yearly wage on 2020
All of Québec
All of Québec
Other characteristics
All of Québec
- None
All of Québec
- None
Sectors of activity
All of Québec
-
NAICS 5416, 541725% of jobs
-
NAICS 9120% of jobs
-
NAICS 111, 112, 114, 1151, 115214% of jobs
-
NAICS 311, 3128% of jobs
-
NAICS 324, 3256% of jobs
-
Others27% of jobs
All of Québec
-
NAICS 5416, 541725% of jobs
-
NAICS 9120% of jobs
-
NAICS 111, 112, 114, 1151, 115214% of jobs
-
NAICS 311, 3128% of jobs
-
NAICS 324, 3256% of jobs
-
Others27% of jobs
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
College
DCS in environmental and Wildlife Management
Placement rate: 44%
50.5% of graduates pursue further studies
DCS in laboratory Technology (Analytical Chemistry)
Placement rate: 64.3%
33.3% of graduates pursue further studies
DCS in laboratory Technology (Biotechnology)
Placement rate: 57.8%
37.5% of graduates pursue further studies
DCS in natural Environment Technology (Environmental Protection)
Placement rate: 87.5%
12.5% of graduates pursue further studies
DCS in natural Environment Technology (Forest Resource Management)
Placement rate: 60%
40% of graduates pursue further studies
DCS in natural Environment Technology (Natural Heritage Management and Interpretation)
Placement rate: 71.4%
28.6% of graduates pursue further studies
DCS in natural Environment Technology (Wildlife Management)
Placement rate: 57.1%
28.6% of graduates pursue further studies
DCS in techniques d'aménagement cynégétique et halieutique
Placement rate: 66.7%
19% of graduates pursue further studies
DCS in technologie de la production horticole agroenvironnementale
Placement rate: 59.6%
27.7% of graduates pursue further studies
DCS in technologie des procédés et de la qualité des aliments
Placement rate: 81%
16.7% of graduates pursue further studies
Sometimes required
- Membership in the Ordre des technologues professionnels du Québec (OTPQ [Quebec Order of Professional Technologists]) may be required or an asset.
- A Class 5 driver’s licence is often required.
- Knowledge of the existing computerized system is often required.
- Training related to the duties of the position or industry may be required or an asset.
- University training may be required to perform support functions in biological research in the public service or universities.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Information processing
- Data collection
- Reading comprehension
- Critical thought
- Active listening
- Science
- Active learning
- Quality control analysis
- Written expression
- Result evaluation
- Oral expression
- Solving complex problems
- Judgment and decision-making
- System analysis
- Mathematics
- Monitoring operations
Abilities
- Oral comprehension
- Inductive reasoning
- Near vision
- Verbal skills
- Information organization
- Written comprehension
- Deductive reasoning
- Written expression
- Awareness of issues
- Speech clarity
- Classification
- Speech recognition
- Selective attention
- Processing flexibility
- Basic numeracy
- Colour perception and distinction
- Digital dexterity
- Idea generation
- Hand-arm stability
- Mathematical reasoning
- Perception speed
- Visualization
Knowledge and attributes
- Autonomy
- Spoken and written bilingualism (French and English)
- Capacity to work in a team
- Knowledge of mathematics
- Versatility
- Rigour
- Sense of initiative
- Tolerance to frequent temperature variations
- Knowledge of biology
- Knowledge of chemistry
Interests
- Carry out research
- Develop and exploit natural resources
- Work in contact with nature and animals
- Work outdoors
- Conduct tests and trials, control processes
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Conventional
- People with this profile prefer specific, well-defined tasks. They like to respect the order of things and follow established rules.
Official name of the NOC 22110
Biological technologists and technicians
Job titles
- Agricultural technician
- Microbiological technician
- Natural resources technician - biology
- Agricultural technologist
- Biological technologist
- Zoo foreman/woman
- Hair and fibre forensic examiner
- Zoo supervisor
- Field crop technician
- Lobster culture technician
- Eel culture technician
- Wildlife resources technician
- Dairy products technician
- Agricultural sciences technician
- Agrology technician
- Agronomy technician
- Aquaculture technician
- Poultry technician
- Bacteriological technician
- Food bacteriological technician
- Fishery bacteriological technician
- Soil bacteriological technician
- Industrial bacteriological technician
- Biological technician
- Aquatic biology technician
- Wildlife biology technician
- Marine biological technician
- Biotechnology technician
- Botanical technician
- Fish hatchery technician
- Ecological technician
- Entomological technician
- Habitat management technician
- Ichthyological technician
- Vaccine technician
- Malacology technician
- Mammalogy technician
- Microbiology technician (except medical)
- Mycological technician
- Nanobiotechnology technician
- Ornithological technician
- Oyster culture technician
- Plant pathology technician
- Fisheries technician
- Plant breeding technician
- Crop production technician
- Life sciences research technician
- Fish roe technician
- Zoological technician
- Field crop technologist
- Wildlife technologist
- Biological laboratory technologist
- Dairy technologist
- Seed technologist
- Agrology technologist
- Agronomy technologist
- Poultry technologist
- Bacteriological technologist
- Food bacteriological technologist
- Fishery bacteriological technologist
- Soil bacteriological technologist
- Industrial bacteriological technologist
- Pisciculture bacteriological technologist
- Biological forensic laboratory technologist
- Marine biology technologist
- Botanical technologist
- Microbiology quality control technologist
- Ecological technologist
- Entomological technologist
- Ichthyological technologist
- Mammalogy technologist
- Marine culture technologist
- Microbiology technologist (except medical)
- Mycological technologist
- Ornithological technologist
- Fisheries technologist
- Plant pathology technologist
- Fish culturist
- Virology technologist
- Zoological technologist
Skill type
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
Related occupations
- Agricultural and fish products inspectors
- Biologists and related scientists
- Chemical technologists and technicians
- Conservation and fishery officers
- Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- Forestry technologists and technicians
- Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
- Medical laboratory technologists
Last update: January 29, 2026