- Each employer's requirements vary depending on the responsibilities of the job. Most employers require at least a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, biotechnology or a related discipline. Scientific research occupations often require a doctorate.
- Biotechnologists often receive a base salary, as well as bonuses and profit sharing. In November 2010, PayScale reported the average base salary ranged from $57,187 to $89,774 per year for this occupation. Average bonuses ranged from $2,517 to $9,651 per year and average profit sharing ranged from $1,100 to $5,087 per year. The total average salary for biotechnologists ranged from $56,915 to $93,938 per year.
- Most employers offer health benefits along with salary. Out of 2,176 individuals in this occupation reporting their wages to PayScale, only six percent did not receive any health benefits. Of those with benefits, 92 percent received medical care, 81 percent received dental care and 60 percent received vision care benefits.
- Biotechnologists work in industries related to medical and biological research and technology. Popular employer types include research and development, pharmaceutical, medical device and drug discovery. The highest salaries were reported in the pharmaceutical industry, where biotechnologists earned average salaries ranging from $61,800 to $92,082 per year. The medical device industry paid average salaries ranging from $61,402 to $89,957, and the drug discovery industry paid average salaries ranging from $59,911 to $88,485 per year.
- Popular cities for this occupation include San Diego, Cambridge, Boston and San Francisco according to PayScale. The highest salaries were reported in Santa Clara, where biotechnologists earned average salaries ranging from $86,881 to $98,135 per year. In Boston, average salaries ranged from $68,144 to $97,294 per year and in St. Louis, average salaries ranged from $59,672 to $88,763 per year.
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