Biotechnology Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Biotechnology Technology is a hands-on, science-driven field focused on equipping students with the technical expertise needed to support advanced biological research and industrial applications. This program bridges theoretical knowledge with practical laboratory experience, preparing graduates for dynamic roles in biopharmaceuticals, environmental science, food technology, and regulatory agencies.
- Fermentation Technology: Mastery of microbial growth processes used to produce biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemicals under controlled conditions.
- Cell Culturing: Techniques for growing and maintaining living cells in controlled environments for research, drug development, and tissue engineering.
- Protein Purification: Methods for isolating and refining proteins from complex biological mixtures, essential for diagnostics and therapeutics.
- Biologic Synthesis: Processes involving the production of biological molecules such as enzymes, antibodies, and recombinant proteins using living systems.
- Assaying and Testing: Application of standardized procedures to measure the presence, concentration, or activity of biological substances.
- Quality Control: Implementation of protocols to ensure consistency, safety, and compliance in biotechnology manufacturing and research.
- Industrial Microbiology: Study and application of microorganisms in large-scale production processes across industries like pharmaceuticals and agriculture.
- Bioprocessing: Integration of biological and engineering principles to scale up laboratory discoveries into commercial production systems.
- Chromatography and Bioseparation: Advanced techniques for separating and analyzing complex biological mixtures based on molecular properties.
- Genetic Technology: Tools and methods for manipulating DNA, including gene editing, cloning, and expression systems.
- Laboratory and Hazardous Materials Safety: Training in best practices for handling biohazards, chemicals, and regulated substances to ensure workplace safety and regulatory compliance.
- Computer Applications: Use of software for data analysis, process modeling, automation, and managing laboratory information systems.
Biotechnology Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Biotechnology Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Biotechnology Technology degrees, including Biological Technicians. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 76,190 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biological Technicians 19-4021 | $52,000 | $38,060 - $81,990 | 76,190 | $25.00 |
Biotechnology Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $39,560 in Idaho to $65,020 in Massachusetts—a 64% difference. The highest-paying states include Massachusetts, Connecticut, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 76,190 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Biotechnology Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 77 institutions offering Biotechnology Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Biotechnology Technology is found at Seminole State College of Florida (309 graduates), Middlesex Community College (MCC) (81 graduates), Saint Louis University (SLU) (69 graduates), Montgomery College (MC) (57 graduates), and Austin Community College District (ACC) (53 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,212 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seminole State College of Florida |
Other Award
|
309 | Sanford, Florida | Public | seminolestate.edu |
| Middlesex Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
81 | Bedford, Massachusetts | Public | middlesex.mass.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
69 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| Montgomery College (MC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
57 | Rockville, Maryland | Public | montgomerycollege.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
53 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
45 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| Quincy College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
37 | Quincy, Massachusetts | Public | quincycollege.edu |
| Valencia College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
35 | Orlando, Florida | Public | valenciacollege.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
27 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
22 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | bluegrass.kctcs.edu |
| Laney College |
Other Award
|
21 | Oakland, California | Public | laney.edu |
| Alamance Community College (ACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | Graham, North Carolina | Public | alamancecc.edu |
| Shoreline Community College |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
21 | Shoreline, Washington | Public | shoreline.edu |
| Florida State College (FSCJ) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
18 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | fscj.edu |
| Saint Louis Community College (STLCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
17 | Bridgeton, Missouri | Public | stlcc.edu |
| Fortis Institute |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
17 | Wayne, New Jersey | Private | fortis.edu |
| Del Mar College (DMC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
17 | Corpus Christi, Texas | Public | delmar.edu |
| Madison Area Technical College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
17 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | madisoncollege.edu |
| Hillsborough Community College (HCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Tampa, Florida | Public | hccfl.edu |
| Gwinnett Technical College (Gwinnett Tech) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Lawrenceville, Georgia | Public | gwinnetttech.edu |
| Forsyth Technical Community College (Forsyth Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
16 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Public | forsythtech.edu |
| Palm Beach State College (PBSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Lake Worth, Florida | Public | palmbeachstate.edu |
| Lone Star College System (LSC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | The Woodlands, Texas | Public | lonestar.edu |
| Southern Oklahoma Technology Center (SouthernTech) |
Other Award
|
14 | Ardmore, Oklahoma | Public | sotech.edu |
| Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Warner Robins, Georgia | Public | centralgatech.edu |
| St Petersburg College (SPC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
13 | St. Petersburg, Florida | Public | spcollege.edu |
| State College of Florida (SCF) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Bradenton, Florida | Public | scf.edu |
| Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | Troy, New York | Public | hvcc.edu |
| Pitt Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
9 | Winterville, North Carolina | Public | pittcc.edu |
| Bucks County Community College |
Associate's
|
9 | Newtown, Pennsylvania | Public | bucks.edu |
| Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | slcc.edu |
| Frederick Community College (FCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
8 | Frederick, Maryland | Public | frederick.edu |
| Harford Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
8 | Bel Air, Maryland | Public | harford.edu |
| Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Canandaigua, New York | Public | flcc.edu |
| Collin County Community College District (CCCCD) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
8 | McKinney, Texas | Public | collin.edu |
| Davenport University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | davenport.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Associate's
|
7 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Blue Bell, Pennsylvania | Public | mc3.edu |
| Blinn College District |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
6 | Brenham, Texas | Public | blinn.edu |
| Athens Technical College (Athens Tech) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Athens, Georgia | Public | athenstech.edu |
| Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Ankeny, Iowa | Public | dmacc.edu |
| Cecil College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | North East, Maryland | Public | cecil.edu |
| Hagerstown Community College (HCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Hagerstown, Maryland | Public | hagerstowncc.edu |
| Roxbury Community College (RCC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Roxbury Crossing, Massachusetts | Public | rcc.mass.edu |
| Monroe Community College |
Associate's
|
5 | Rochester, New York | Public | monroecc.edu |
| Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
5 | Appleton, Wisconsin | Public | fvtc.edu |
| Great Bay Community College (GBCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Portsmouth, New Hampshire | Public | greatbay.edu |
| SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology (SUNY Cobleskill) |
Associate's
|
4 | Cobleskill, New York | Public | cobleskill.edu |
| Houston Community College (HCC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Houston, Texas | Public | hccs.edu |
| Central Virginia Community College (CVCC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Public | centralvirginia.edu |
| Dixie Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Saint George, Utah | Public | dixietech.edu |
| Atlanta Technical College (Atlanta Tech) |
Other Award
|
3 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | atlantatech.edu |
| Massachusetts Bay Community College (MassBay) |
Associate's
|
3 | Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts | Public | massbay.edu |
| Cleveland State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | csuohio.edu |
| Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
3 | Annandale, Virginia | Public | nvcc.edu |
| Blackhawk Technical College (BTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Janesville, Wisconsin | Public | blackhawk.edu |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | nwtc.edu |
| Miami Dade College (MDC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
2 | Miami, Florida | Public | mdc.edu |
| Santa Fe College (SF) |
Associate's
|
2 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | sfcollege.edu |
| Windward Community College (WCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Kaneohe, Hawaii | Public | windward.hawaii.edu |
| Triton College |
Associate's
|
2 | River Grove, Illinois | Public | triton.edu |
| Cape Cod Community College (4Cs) |
Other Award
|
2 | West Barnstable, Massachusetts | Public | capecod.edu |
| North Shore Community College (NSCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Danvers, Massachusetts | Public | northshore.edu |
| Mayville State University (MSU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Mayville, North Dakota | Public | mayvillestate.edu |
| Lakeland Community College (LCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Kirtland, Ohio | Public | lakelandcc.edu |
| Drexel University |
Master's
|
2 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| Bellevue College (BC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Bellevue, Washington | Public | bellevuecollege.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Glendale, Arizona | Public | gccaz.edu |
| Delaware Technical Community College |
Associate's
|
1 | Dover, Delaware | Public | dtcc.edu |
| Broward College (BC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Public | broward.edu |
| Clark University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | clarku.edu |
| Northern Essex Community College (NECC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Haverhill, Massachusetts | Public | necc.mass.edu |
| Riverland Community College |
Associate's
|
1 | Austin, Minnesota | Public | riverland.edu |
| Wayne State College (WSC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Wayne, Nebraska | Public | wsc.edu |
| Schenectady County Community College (SUNY SCCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Schenectady, New York | Public | sunysccc.edu |
| Thiel College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Greenville, Pennsylvania | Private | thiel.edu |
| Virginia Western Community College (VWCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Roanoke, Virginia | Public | virginiawestern.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Biotechnology Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Biotechnology Technology degree?
Salaries for Biotechnology Technology graduates vary by role and location. Biological Technicians earn a median of $52,000 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Massachusetts average $65,020 compared to $39,560 in Idaho. Approximately 76,190 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Biotechnology Technology programs?
Currently 77 accredited institutions offer Biotechnology Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Seminole State College of Florida (309 graduates), Middlesex Community College (MCC) (81 graduates), and Saint Louis University (SLU) (69 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Biotechnology Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 676 in 2010 to 1,212 in 2023-24. This represents a 79% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Biotechnology Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Biological Technicians. Related occupations employ approximately 76,190 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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