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Average Biological Technicians Salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Biological Technicians in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $54,430. This figure is below the national average of $60,030, suggesting that while the demand is high, specific regional economic factors or a different mix of experience levels within the local workforce may influence this compensation. The cost of living in this area is precisely at the national average, meaning the purchasing power of this salary is standard.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $54,430 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 15.2% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $71,100.
  • Outlook: The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA region exhibits a robust job market for Biological Technicians, evidenced by a substantial local workforce of 1,530 professionals. The Location Quotient of 2.55 significantly exceeds the national average, indicating a strong concentration of these roles within the area and suggesting a healthy demand that outpaces the national distribution.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$54,430

The average Biological Technicians in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA earns-9.3%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$26.2

Weekly

$1,047

Monthly

$4,536

Biological Technicians Salary Distribution in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Career progression for Biological Technicians typically involves a significant salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower percentiles, while senior technicians with specialized skills and years of experience can command salaries in the upper percentiles, potentially exceeding $70,000 annually. The gap between entry-level and senior roles signifies substantial earning potential and career advancement opportunities within the field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$40,640$19.5
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$40,823$19.6
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$47,390$22.8
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$68,038$32.7
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$71,100$34.2

Detailed Biological Technicians Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$54,430

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$54,430

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $54,430 for Biological Technicians in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA aligns perfectly with the national average cost of living (100). This means that the nominal salary offers standard purchasing power, and individuals relocating to this area will find their income stretches as far as it would nationally, without significant financial advantage or disadvantage due to living expenses.

Job Market Context

1,530

Total Jobs

1.258

Per 1K Jobs

2.55

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA has 2.5x the national concentration of Biological Technicians jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

With a Location Quotient of 2.55, the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metropolitan area is a highly concentrated hub for Biological Technicians, indicating a market significantly more abundant in these roles than the national average. This high concentration suggests strong industry presence and potentially a competitive environment for job seekers, but also signifies ample opportunities and a well-established professional community.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Biological Technicians

Comparing salaries near Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Hiring Biological Technicianss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Biological Technicians make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

The median annual salary for a Biological Technicians in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is $54,430. This typically ranges from $40,640 for entry-level positions to $71,100 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is 9.3% lower than the national median of $60,030.

Is Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA a lucrative place for Biological Technicianss?

No, not exceptionally lucrative compared to the national average.While the cost of living is average, the average salary of $54,430 is below the national average of $60,030, indicating less competitive pay in this specific region.

Is Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA a good place to live for Biological Technicians?

The Cost of Living Index in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Salem, OR ($52,410) and Corvallis, OR.

How does the number of Biological Technicians in Portland compare to the national average?

The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA area has 1,530 Biological Technicians, and with a Location Quotient of 2.55, the concentration of these jobs is more than double the national average, indicating a high demand and presence in the region.

What is the cost of living impact on a Biological Technician's salary in Portland?

The cost of living in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is exactly at the national average (100), meaning the $54,430 salary has standard purchasing power, neither significantly enhanced nor diminished by local expenses.

Are there many job opportunities for Biological Technicians in Portland?

Yes, the high Location Quotient of 2.55 suggests a robust job market with a significant concentration of Biological Technician roles, indicating ample opportunities within the region.

How does the average salary for Biological Technicians in Portland compare to other areas?

The average salary of $54,430 in Portland is lower than the national average of $60,030, suggesting that while the job market is concentrated, the compensation may not be as high as in other regions.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,530 employees in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA area with a job density of 1.258 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.