SOUTH AFRICA 路 SALARY IN RANDS

Biological Technicians salary in South Africa

About R274,131 a year, before tax. That is about R22,844 a month. Then the work, the skills, and a free assessment if you want to know whether it fits.

  • Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Biological Science Lab Tech)
  • Biological Science Technician
  • Biological Technician
  • Laboratory Technician
  • Marine Fisheries Technician
  • Research Assistant
  • Research Associate
  • Research Specialist

What do Biological Technicians do?

Biological technicians are professionals who assist biological and medical scientists in laboratories by conducting experiments and analyses that contribute to the understanding of life sciences. They play a crucial role in research and development, helping to investigate the biological aspects of living organisms, including plants, animals, and humans. Their work often involves preparing laboratory specimens, setting up and maintaining laboratory equipment, and documenting results. These technicians may also support the development of new medications, improve agricultural products, or contribute to environmental and ecological studies. They typically work in laboratories within various settings, such as universities, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and government agencies, and are essential in aiding scientific discoveries and innovations that can lead to advances in healthcare, biotechnology, and conservation.

What the work actually is

  • Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
  • Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
  • Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
  • Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
  • Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Science Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • Active Learning Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Abilities

  • Inductive Reasoning The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Information Ordering The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Knowledge

  • Biology Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Computers and Electronics Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Chemistry Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Post-baccalaureate certificate
Awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master

A normal week

  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Processing Information
  • Analyzing Data or Information
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Getting Information

Tools used on the job

Technology

Tools

  • Robotic or automated liquid handling systems Automatic pipetters 路 Liquid handling robots 路 Robotic laboratory equipment
  • Manual or electronic hematology differential cell counters Automated cell counters 路 Coulter counters 路 Hematology cell counters
  • Spectrofluorimeters or fluorimeters Cytofluorographs 路 Fluorometers
  • Deoxyribonucleic sequence analyzers Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA sequencers 路 Inherit sequencing analysis systems
  • Microbiology analyzers Bioanalyzers 路 Flow cytometers

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

The Biological Technicians guide


Compare this with Agricultural Technicians, Histology Technicians and Histotechnologists, which pay a similar kind of salary in South Africa.

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Questions people ask

How much do Biological Technicians earn in South Africa?

The average Biological Technicians salary in South Africa is about R274,131 a year, before tax. A typical range is R189,231 to R351,525 a year.

What do Biological Technicians do?

Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals, Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties and Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.