Will AI replace biotechnologists?
Updated
Biological technicians score 39 of 100 for AI exposure. 41% of their task time still needs a person. AI can do 27% today and speed up another 32%.
- 27% AI can do it
- 32% AI helps
- 41% Needs a person
Moderate exposure
Higher than 51% of the 923 occupations we scored.
Task by task
We graded 17 tasks, listed here from most to least exposed. AI can do 4 of them today, speeds up 5 and leaves 8 to people.
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Input data into databases. Routine data entry into databases, a core AI strength. | 85% AI can do it |
| Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities. Routine digital logging that AI can draft and structure. | 75% AI can do it |
| Place orders for laboratory equipment and supplies. Ordering supplies is digital and routine, easily automated. | 65% AI can do it |
| Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings. AI can analyze data and draft reports, with expert review. | 62% AI can do it |
| Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties. General computer use is easily assisted; equipment interaction is not. | 45% AI helps |
| Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel. Watching experiments needs presence, but data logging is digital. | 35% AI helps |
| Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards. Checking records against standards is partly automatable. | 35% AI helps |
| Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences. Mostly hands on support, with some communication AI could help. | 30% AI helps |
| Examine animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems. Visual exams of specimens may be aided by image AI. | 28% AI helps |
| 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. Standardized lab assays are hands on, with some result interpretation. | 18% Needs a person |
Show the other 7 tasks
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment. Hands on equipment calibration and repair is physical work. | 15% Needs a person |
| Participate in the research, development, or manufacturing of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations. Pharmaceutical preparation work is largely hands on production. | 15% Needs a person |
| Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals. Field and lab sample collection needs physical presence. | 12% Needs a person |
| Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination. Physical specimen handling and preparation requires skilled hands. | 12% Needs a person |
| Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing or animal feed. Weighing and measuring solutions is precise physical work. | 8% Needs a person |
| Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas. Physical cleaning and preparing work areas. | 5% Needs a person |
| Feed livestock or laboratory animals. Feeding animals is physical care work. | 2% Needs a person |
How biological technicians compare
All occupations (923)
Life, physical and social science (60)
Pay and outlook in the US
- Median pay
- $57,510 a year, May 2025
- People employed
- 69,620 in the US, May 2025
- Projected change in jobs
- +7.4% from 2024 to 2034
Skills to build
- Calibrate and troubleshoot lab instruments manually
- Collect blood, water, soil and plant samples in person
- Prepare specimens for examination with skilled bench technique
- Verify AI-drafted experiment summaries against raw SAS output
- Map field sample sites in ESRI ArcGIS
Safer roles nearby
5 related occupations with lower scores.
Questions about biological technicians and AI
Will biotechnologists be replaced by AI?
Partly. About 4 in 10 working hours of a biological technician's job go to tasks AI can already do, mostly data entry into databases and keeping detailed logs of work. Equipment setup, sample collection and specimen preparation stay with people because they need a person at the bench.
Which biological technician tasks is AI taking over?
Inputting data into databases scores 85 on exposure, the highest of any task in this job, because entry is routine and digital. Keeping detailed logs scores 75, since AI can draft and structure them. Placing orders for lab equipment and supplies scores 65 because ordering runs through digital forms and repeat purchases.
Which biological technician tasks stay human?
Feeding lab animals scores 2 on exposure, and cleaning and preparing work areas scores 5, since both are physical care work. Isolating and preparing specimens scores 12, and collecting blood, water, soil and plant samples also scores 12, because skilled hands and physical presence are required.
How can biological technicians stay valuable as AI spreads?
Take responsibility for the bench work that depends on your hands. Calibrate pipettes and balances, troubleshoot instruments, and keep maintenance records current. Check AI-drafted summaries against raw data in Microsoft Excel or SAS before they reach a principal investigator. Learn ESRI ArcGIS for field site mapping, since sample collection stays physical.
Related jobs
Next steps for biological technicians
Check which roles in your team AI can take on
We map your team's tasks, show what AI can do today and build the automations that pay back first.
Related topics
- Jobs AI can't replaceCement masons score lowest, at 8.
- Jobs most at risk from AIProofreaders score highest, at 76.
- High-paying jobs with low AI exposureRadiologists earn a median $420,860 and score 46.
- Entry-level jobs with low AI exposureCement masons need little prior training and score 8.
- Jobs AI speeds up the mostFor natural sciences managers, AI speeds up 96% of task time.
- AI and jobs in Malta15 iGaming roles graded task by task.
- Skills that keep work humanThe skills to build in the jobs AI changes least.
- Jobs A to ZEvery job we publish, by first letter.
- AI exposure by industryAverage scores for 22 occupation groups.
- Write a CV screening software can readHow applicant tracking systems read a CV, and what to change.
- AI for businessesThe tasks to automate first in each team and industry.
- How we score AI exposureThe grading, the weights and every source.