Prevailing Wage for Biological Technicians
Prevailing wage for Biological Technicians is set by DOL using four experience levels, and the floor can differ substantially between cities. Whether your offer is for a Biological Science Technician, a Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Biological Science Lab Tech), or a Research Associate, the applicable wage floor depends on your level and worksite location.
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Entry-level technicians with limited hands-on laboratory experience, typically new graduates performing routine tasks under close supervision. Employers filing at Level 1 indicate the position requires no independent judgment and minimal prior lab exposure.
Qualified technicians with some independent lab experience, capable of operating standard instruments with moderate supervision. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Biological Technicians, reflecting a baseline of practical bench skills and procedural knowledge.
Experienced technicians who handle complex assays, train junior staff, or manage specialized equipment with limited oversight. DOL treats Level 3 as above the median, so filings at this level require documented expertise and broader scope.
Fully competent senior technicians operating at the top of the occupation, often leading laboratory units, developing protocols, or serving as technical specialists. Level 4 filings reflect roles with extensive independent authority and specialized applied knowledge.
Prevailing Wage for Biological Technicians by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Biological Technicians and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Biological Technicians
Watch for title aliasing with research assistant roles
Positions posted as Research Assistant or Research Associate are sometimes filed under a different SOC code entirely, shifting the prevailing wage floor. Confirm your offer letter and LCA both reference SOC 19-4021 so the Biological Technicians floor applies.
Account for the large metro wage spread
The gap between the lowest-paying metros and top markets like San Francisco or San Jose is unusually wide for this occupation. An offer that clears the floor in a lower-cost Texas market may sit well below the L2 floor in California, affecting sponsorship eligibility.
Verify your level before accepting a biotech startup offer
Biotech and pharmaceutical startups frequently file Biological Science Technician roles at Level 1 to minimize wage obligations, even for candidates with prior bench experience. Confirm the level on the certified LCA matches your actual years of laboratory work.
Find employers with Biological Technicians sponsorship history on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate shows which employers have historically sponsored Biological Technicians and related lab roles. Filtering by sponsorship history helps you target companies already familiar with the LCA process for SOC 19-4021 positions.
Jobs for Biological Technicians are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Biological TechniciansPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 19-4021.00 alongside Biological Technicians, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Biological Science Lab Tech) Prevailing Wage
Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Biological Science Lab Tech) Prevailing Wage
Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Biological Science Lab Tech) positions fall under SOC 19-4021.00 (Biological Technicians). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Biological Science Technician Prevailing Wage
Biological Science Technician Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Biological Science Technician for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 19-4021.00 (Biological Technicians). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Laboratory Technician Prevailing Wage
Laboratory Technician Prevailing Wage
Laboratory Technician is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 19-4021.00 (Biological Technicians). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Marine Fisheries Technician Prevailing Wage
Marine Fisheries Technician Prevailing Wage
Marine Fisheries Technician positions fall under SOC 19-4021.00 (Biological Technicians). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Research Assistant Prevailing Wage
Research Assistant Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Research Assistant for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 19-4021.00 (Biological Technicians). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Research Associate Prevailing Wage
Research Associate Prevailing Wage
Research Associate is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 19-4021.00 (Biological Technicians). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Research Specialist Prevailing Wage
Research Specialist Prevailing Wage
Research Specialist positions fall under SOC 19-4021.00 (Biological Technicians). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Research Technician Prevailing Wage
Research Technician Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Research Technician for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 19-4021.00 (Biological Technicians). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Wildlife Biology Technician Prevailing Wage
Wildlife Biology Technician Prevailing Wage
Wildlife Biology Technician is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 19-4021.00 (Biological Technicians). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Biological Technicians?
DOL calculates prevailing wages for Biological Technicians using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across hundreds of metropolitan areas. OFLC then assigns four wage levels based on experience and complexity. Employers certify on the LCA that they will pay at or above the applicable level for the worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify mine?
Level 1 covers entry-level lab work under close supervision. Level 2 reflects qualified technicians with independent bench skills. Level 3 applies to experienced specialists handling complex procedures. Level 4 covers senior or lead technicians. Your level is determined by the duties, supervision received, and experience required in your specific position, not solely your years of experience or title.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same role vary so much by city?
OFLC bases wage floors on regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so the floor reflects actual pay in each labor market. The LCA must list the physical worksite, and the wage floor for that specific metro applies. Dense research and biotech markets like San Francisco or Boston have significantly higher floors than smaller markets, because local employer competition drives wages up in those regions.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
If the offered salary falls below the certified LCA wage level, DOL can reject or decertify the LCA, blocking the H-1B or PERM filing. USCIS may also issue a Request for Evidence or deny the petition. The employer must pay the higher of the prevailing wage or the actual wage paid to similarly employed workers. A below-floor offer is a compliance problem for the employer, not just a negotiation issue.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a Biological Technicians role in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up the current wage floors for SOC 19-4021 by metropolitan area. Select the correct area matching your worksite, not your residence. You can also review O*NET for occupation details that confirm the SOC code applies to your role. Migrate Mate can help you identify employers with a track record of sponsoring lab technician roles so you can compare offers in context.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Biological Technicians right now.
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