Biotechnology
Quick Facts: Biotechnology Training
Where it's offered
Biotechnology programs are offered at 1 schools across 1 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $38,858/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 4 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Biotechnology — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 1 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 37/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Biotechnology Graduates Do
Your career begins in a research lab or biotech firm, where you are the hands-on expert turning scientific theory into practice. You won’t just be looking through microscopes; you’ll be preparing cell cultures, operating specialized equipment like thermal cyclers and centrifuges, and meticulously documenting experiment results. It’s a role that demands precision and a steady hand, working as part of a team to test everything from new medicines to food products.
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As an entry-level technician, you’ll follow established procedures. With experience, you’ll gain independence, troubleshooting complex instruments and contributing to experimental design. This progression to a senior or specialist role—perhaps focusing on high-demand fields like genetics or immunology—is where your earning potential significantly increases. While AI tools may help analyze data or plan research, they can’t perform the delicate, physical tasks of a lab. The thousands of openings each year are for people like you, whose skilled, hands-on work remains essential to scientific discovery.
Closely-related paths include Science Technology Studies, Radiologic Technology, and Physical Science Technology, which share overlapping job markets and training components.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 4 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Biotechnology. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bio-Manufacturing Technician (Downstream)
RAPIDS 1103CB |
Competency | Competency | $45K – $52,000 – $66K | 3.5% |
|
Bio-Manufacturing Technician (Upstream)
RAPIDS 1102CB |
Competency | Competency | $45K – $52,000 – $66K | 3.5% |
|
Dairy Technologist
RAPIDS 630 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $45K – $52,000 – $66K | 3.5% |
|
Microbiology Quality Control Tech
RAPIDS 1135HY |
2000-3000 hrs | Hybrid | $45K – $52,000 – $66K | 3.5% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Biotechnology Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Biotechnology is offered at 1 schools across 1 states. Click your state to see all trade programs offered locally.
Top Biotechnology Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Biotechnology programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
1 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fortis Institute-Wayne Wayne, NJ |
46 41–48 |
Highest Earning Biotechnology Programs
Schools where Biotechnology graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Fortis Institute-Wayne | $38,858/yr | 46 |
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