The following page shows the career & education requirements, salary and job outlook for a Biotechnology around the country.
What We Do
Most biotechnology specialists are responsible for assisting scientists in a development or research capacity within a range of laboratory settings, using the knowledge of cellular and molecular biology, alongside chemistry and genetics in order to progress experiments. These professionals are often responsible for collecting and preparing samples to be tested, and following the conclusion of experiments, they will record their data and contribute to findings.
Work Environment
With the right training and education, a biotechnology technician can find employment within a wide range of different environments, including laboratory and research positions in pharmaceutical, agricultural, clinical, food, animal, and environmental laboratories. These individuals may also work in government positions, or product development.
How to Become a Biotechnology
To become a biotechnology specialist, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that individuals will need to begin by obtaining their bachelor’s degree, alongside a certain amount of laboratory experience. In many bachelor’s degree programs, these students will complete a range of laboratory courses, and special courses in science. Importantly, although students can typically earn an entry-level career in biotechnology with a bachelor’s degree, the field is currently filled by people who hold doctoral and master’s level degrees. Forty-five percent of the biomedical engineers in the field said that a bachelor’s degree was sufficient in an ONet survey.
Training & Certification Requirements
During college, many biotechnology technicians will have the opportunity to earn some laboratory experience by working on a part-time basis as a research assistant for faculty members or seeking out potential internships. Candidate’s prior laboratory experience can help to determine how much training on the job he or she requires, as some employers prefer to hire those with extensive experience, whereas others are willing to provide training. With additional work experience opportunities and education at a master’s or doctorate level, it is possible for biotechnology technicians to be promoted to positions with higher duties, such as laboratory supervisors, technologists, or scientists.
Biotechnology Related Job Titles
According to Indeed.com, the following career/job titles with salary figures are most closely related to Biotechnology.
Career/Job Title | Average Salary |
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Field Application Scientist Biotechnology | $84,000 |
Senior Beverage Technologist | $105,000 |
Cr Clinical Research Associate | $153,000 |
Bioprocessing Manufacturing Technician | $38,000 |
Chemist Environmental | $26,000 |
Product Complaint Specialist | $51,000 |
Visionary Plant Operations Manager | $164,000 |
Plant Protection Technician Domestic | $41,000 |
Mes Engineer | $94,000 |
Quality | $39,000 |
Biotechnology Earning Potential
According to information provided by the BLS in May of 2015, the average median wage for biological technicians was at approximately $41,650 per year. This could also be seen as approximately $20.02 per hour.
Biotechnology Job Outlook
The BLS reports that employment opportunities for all biological technicians is expected to grow at a rate of around 5% between 2014 and 2024. This rate is about the same level of speed for the average in all occupations. Continued growth in the realms of medical research and biotechnology should increase demand for these particular experts.
According to Indeed.com, the average national salary of jobs for Biotechnology was $82,000.00 with a high confidence ranking based on over 250 sources. Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide are 42% higher than average salaries for all job postings nationwide.
Biotechnology Salary by State
The following lists Biotechnology salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings by employers through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $103,000 while Hawaii had the smallest quoted salary of $51,000.
Alaska – $60,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 48th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Alaska are 26% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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Alabama – $83,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 12th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Alabama are 1% higher than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Auburn University Faculty, RBW Consulting, and BioGX, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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Arkansas – $83,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 13th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Arkansas are 2% higher than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Biogen, Shire, BioLife Plasma Services, and Labscoop, LLC. | |||||||||||
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Arizona – $67,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 44th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Arizona are 18% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Planet Pharma, Zenith Technologies, InVentiv Health, and M+W U.S. Inc.. | |||||||||||
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California – $88,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 7th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in California are 7% higher than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Genentech, BioPhase Solutions, Amgen, and Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical. | |||||||||||
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Colorado – $73,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 32nd | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Colorado are 11% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Ascent Services Group, University of Colorado, Tolmar Inc, and Plato BioPharma, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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Connecticut – $94,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 4th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Connecticut are 15% higher than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Alexion, JenKem Technology Co. Ltd., Purdue Pharma, and InVentiv Health. | |||||||||||
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DC – $103,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 1st | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Washington, DC are 25% higher than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Meso Scale Diagnostics, Novavax, TechUSA, and Oak Ridge Associated Universities. | |||||||||||
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Delaware – $72,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 36th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Delaware are 12% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Incyte Corporation, AstraZeneca, QPS, LLC., and IntelliSource. | |||||||||||
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Florida – $76,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 27th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Florida are 7% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Brammer, Bode Search Group, LLC, TMAC Direct, and The Alpine Group. | |||||||||||
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Georgia – $93,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 5th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Georgia are 14% higher than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Shire, Gemu Valves, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, and VWR. | |||||||||||
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Hawaii – $51,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 51st | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Hawaii are 38% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 51st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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Iowa – $80,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 18th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Iowa are 2% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Shire, DuPont, AG 1 Source, and Cargill. | |||||||||||
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Idaho – $54,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 50th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Idaho are 34% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Shire, J. R. Simplot Company, and Gemu Valves. | |||||||||||
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Illinois – $93,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 6th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Illinois are 13% higher than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Shire, Momentum Scientific, Ambitech Engineering Corporation, and Ascent Services Group. | |||||||||||
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Indiana – $79,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 20th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Indiana are 4% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Dow Chemical Company, Shire, Cook Medical, and Eli Lilly. | |||||||||||
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Kansas – $75,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 30th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Kansas are 9% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like ProPharma Group, AG 1 Source, The University of Kansas Health System, and The University of Kansas Hospital. | |||||||||||
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Kentucky – $71,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 40th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Kentucky are 14% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Catalent Pharma Solutions, Omnicare, Inc, AG 1 Source, and Beckman Coulter, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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Louisiana – $73,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 33rd | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Louisiana are 11% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Ambitech Engineering Corporation, Biogen, Incyte Corporation, and Jean Simpson Personnel Services. | |||||||||||
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Massachusetts – $99,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 2nd | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Massachusetts are 20% higher than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Biogen, Shire, Centerline Drivers, LLC, and Fairway Consulting Group. | |||||||||||
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Maryland – $84,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 11th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Maryland are 3% higher than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sanaria, Inc., Jecho Laboratories, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, and Venesco. | |||||||||||
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Maine – $72,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 37th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Maine are 12% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like IDEXX Laboratories, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., The Jackson Laboratory, and KP Recruiting Group. | |||||||||||
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Michigan – $83,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 14th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Michigan are 1% higher than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Shire, Ferris State University, Amaris, and JenKem Technology Co. Ltd.. | |||||||||||
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Minnesota – $72,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 38th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Minnesota are 13% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like DiaSorin, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Shire, and ProPharma Group. | |||||||||||
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Missouri – $80,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 19th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Missouri are 2% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like MONSANTO, Ambitech Engineering Corporation, KellyMitchell, and Envision, LLC. | |||||||||||
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Mississippi – $86,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 9th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Mississippi are 5% higher than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like AG 1 Source, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Biogen, and MONSANTO. | |||||||||||
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Montana – $68,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 42nd | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Montana are 17% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Shire, Gemu Valves, and Montana State University. | |||||||||||
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North Carolina – $78,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 24th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in North Carolina are 5% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like LabCorp, Biogen, Duke University and Duke University Health System, and SynteractHCR Deutschland GmbH. | |||||||||||
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North Dakota – $73,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 34th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in North Dakota are 11% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Shire, AG 1 Source, Aldevron, and Cargill. | |||||||||||
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Nebraska – $60,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 49th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Nebraska are 27% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like AG 1 Source, Cargill, University of Nebraska at Omaha, and Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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New Hampshire – $81,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 16th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in New Hampshire are 1% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Avitide, Adimab, LSNE Contract Manufacturing, and Summit Construction. | |||||||||||
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New Jersey – $88,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 8th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in New Jersey are 8% higher than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Rutgers University, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, GENEWIZ, Inc., and TKL Research, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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New Mexico – $71,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 41st | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in New Mexico are 13% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of New Mexico, Albany Molecular Research, UNM Medical Group, Inc., and AG 1 Source. | |||||||||||
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Nevada – $62,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 46th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Nevada are 24% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Nevada, Reno, Gemu Valves, InVentiv Health, and Key Solutions, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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New York – $99,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 3rd | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in New York State are 21% higher than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Regeneron, Albany Molecular Research, Khan Funds Management America, Inc., and Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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Ohio – $78,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 25th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Ohio are 4% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like VWR, Community Blood Center/Community Tissue Services, MP Biomedicals, and Medpace. | |||||||||||
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Oklahoma – $76,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 28th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Oklahoma are 8% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Ambitech Engineering Corporation, Shire, The Alpine Group, and Genentech. | |||||||||||
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Oregon – $79,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 21st | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Oregon are 3% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mainz Brady Group, Cytel, AbSci, and Genentech. | |||||||||||
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Pennsylvania – $79,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 22nd | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Pennsylvania are 4% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Shire, VWR, University of Pennsylvania, and Spark Therapeutics, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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Rhode Island – $75,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 31st | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Rhode Island are 9% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Amgen, Semma Therapeutics, Inc., Alexion, and EpiVax, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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South Carolina – $81,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 17th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in South Carolina are 1% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Ascent Services Group, IMCS, InVentiv Health, and Biopharma Consulting Services. | |||||||||||
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South Dakota – $62,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 47th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in South Dakota are 25% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Charles River, AG 1 Source, JenKem Technology Co. Ltd., and Sparton. | |||||||||||
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Tennessee – $76,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 29th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Tennessee are 7% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like DiaTech Holdings, Inc., IDEXX Laboratories, Icon plc, and JenKem Technology Co. Ltd.. | |||||||||||
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Texas – $79,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 23rd | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Texas are 3% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Lone Star College, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies Texas, LLC, FujiFilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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Utah – $64,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 45th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Utah are 22% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Shire, University of Utah, Salt Lake Community College, and VWR. | |||||||||||
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Virginia – $82,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 15th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Virginia are 1% higher than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like George Mason University, The Tauri Group, S&P GLOBAL MARKET INTELLIGENCE, and ATCC. | |||||||||||
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Vermont – $72,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 39th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Vermont are 12% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Jasper Hill. | |||||||||||
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Washington – $85,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 10th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Washington State are 3% higher than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mainz Brady Group, Adaptive Biotechnologies, Health Perspectives Group, and Seattle Genetics. | |||||||||||
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Wisconsin – $73,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 35th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Wisconsin are 11% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Catalent Pharma Solutions, Shire, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Covance. | |||||||||||
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West Virginia – $77,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 26th | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in West Virginia are 6% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Enterprise System Partners Ltd, Validation & Engineering Group, Shire, and Key Solutions, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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Wyoming – $68,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 43rd | ||||||||||
Average Biotechnology salaries for job postings in Wyoming are 17% lower than average Biotechnology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Shire, Cody Laboratories, Inc., Seattle Genetics, and Gemu Valves. | |||||||||||
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