upper level job

Research Technician I - Biotech Salary in the United States

How much does a Research Technician I - Biotech make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Technician I - Biotech in the United States is $51,683 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

However, a Research Technician I - Biotech's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $61,115
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $45,981 to $56,620
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $40,790

Key Factors That Influence Research Technician I - Biotech Salaries

A Research Technician I - Biotech's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Research Technician I - Biotech Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Research Technician I - Biotech's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Research Technician I - Biotech (0-2 years): $51,683
  • Research Technician II - Biotech (2-4 years): $62,464
  • Research Technician III - Biotech (4-7 years): $69,030
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Research Technician I - Biotech0-2 years$51,683
Research Technician II - Biotech2-4 years$62,464
Research Technician III - Biotech4-7 years$69,030

How Do Research Technician I - Bioteches Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Research Technician I - Bioteches. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $57,223.
  • California: $57,006.
  • Massachusetts: $56,247.

Top Paying Cities for Research Technician I - Biotech

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $65,188
  • San Francisco: $64,474
  • Oakland: $63,115

What Skills Can Increase a Research Technician I - Biotech's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 13.66% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Data Analysis (Mentioned in 3.16% Job Postings): Data analysis is a process of inspecting, cleansing, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision-making. Data analysis has multiple facets and approaches, encompassing diverse techniques under a variety of names, and is used in different business, science, and social science domains. In today's business world, data analysis plays a role in making decisions more scientific and helping businesses operate more effectively. Data mining is a particular data analysis technique that focuses on modeling and knowledge discovery for predictive rather than purely descriptive purposes, while business intelligence covers data analysis that relies heavily on aggregation, focusing mainly on business information. In statistical applications, data analysis can be divided into descriptive statistics, exploratory data analysis (EDA), and confirmatory data analysis (CDA). EDA focuses on discovering new features in the data while CDA focuses on confirming or falsifying existing hypotheses. Predictive analytics focuses on application of statistical models for predictive forecasting or classification, while text analytics applies statistical, linguistic, and structural techniques to extract and classify information from textual sources, a species of unstructured data. All of the above are varieties of data analysis.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 1.81% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 13.66%
Data Analysis 3.16%
Economics 1.81%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Research Technician I - Biotech's salary.

  • Biotechnology: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Immunology: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Biotechnology $62,020
20%
Immunology $60,469
17%
Collaboration $58,919
14%

Research Technician I - Biotech Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Research Technician I - Biotech salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $56,805. While startup companies pay approximate $48,307.

Research Technician I - Biotech Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $48,307
Growth Stage 51~500 $51,020
Established 501~5000 $54,921
Enterprise 5000+ $56,805

Research Technician I - Biotech Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Research Technician I - Biotech roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Biotechnology, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Research Technician I - Biotech positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Research Technician I - Biotech as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Research Technician I - Biotech

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$62,020$30.020%

How Education impacts an Research Technician I - Biotech's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Research Technician I - Biotech enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Research Technician I - Biotech with a Bachelor's Degree is between $49,083 and $52,214.

Research Technician I - Biotech Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Research Technician I - Biotech
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.9%
High School 1.9%
Associates 1.3%
Bachelors 67.4%
Masters 26.9%
Doctorate 2.5%

Research Technician I - Biotech Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Research Technician I - Biotech's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$45,981
Average $51,683/year
$56,620
$3,832
Average $4,307/month
$4,718
$884
Average $994/week
$1,089
$22
Average $25/hour
$27
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $56,620 $4,718 $1,089 $27
Average $51,683 $4,307 $994 $25
25th Percentile $45,981 $3,832 $884 $22

Research Technician I - Biotech Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Research Technician I - Biotech, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Research Technician I - Biotech Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Research Technician II - Biotech $62,464 21%
Laboratory Assistant II $70,042 36%

Most common benefits for Research Technician I - Biotech

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Research Technician I - Biotech

Here are companies hiring for Research Technician I - Biotech and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Research Technician I - Biotech Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Research Technician I - Biotech job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Research Technician I - Biotech

1. Where can a Research Technician I - Biotech earn the most?

A Research Technician I - Biotech's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Research Technician I - Biotech earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Research Technician I - Biotech is $65,188.

2. What is the highest pay for Research Technician I - Biotech?

The highest pay for Research Technician I - Biotech is $61,115.

3. What is the lowest pay for Research Technician I - Biotech?

The lowest pay for Research Technician I - Biotech is $40,790.

4. What are the responsibilities of Research Technician I - Biotech?

Performs analytical tests and experiments in support of biotech research projects. Operates laboratory equipment and instruments. Utilizes scientific software to interpret and record test results. Experienced with standard chemistry and molecular biology lab practices and techniques. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Research Technician I - Biotech?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Research Technician I - Biotech roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst