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Associate Degree In Biology Jobs in Renton, WA (NOW HIRING)

A 2-year associates degree in a scientific discipline or industry relevant certificate program that includes coursework in biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology and/or other life ...

Laboratory Technician (TEMP, 6 Months)

Bothell, WA · On-site

$21.50 - $28.75/hr

A 2-year associates degree in a scientific discipline or industry relevant certificate program that includes coursework in biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology and/or other life ...

Showing results 21-40

Associate Degree In Biology information

See Renton, WA salary details

$13

$24

$38

How much do associate degree in biology jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate degree in biology in Renton, WA is $24.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.47 and $27.84 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What can you do with an associate degree in biology?

An Associate Degree in Biology provides foundational knowledge of biological sciences and prepares graduates for entry-level jobs such as laboratory technician, research assistant, or environmental technician. It can also serve as a stepping stone for further education, including transferring credits toward a bachelor's degree in biology or related fields. With this degree, students gain laboratory skills, understanding of biological concepts, and practical experience that are valuable in healthcare, research, education, and environmental sectors.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive with an associate degree in biology?

To thrive with an Associate Degree in Biology, you need a solid grasp of fundamental biological concepts, laboratory techniques, and data analysis skills, typically gained through coursework and lab experience. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, safety protocols, and software such as Microsoft Excel or basic statistical tools is essential. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication help you excel in research or technical support roles. These skills are crucial for ensuring accurate scientific work, maintaining safety standards, and supporting further career growth or advanced education.

What types of entry-level jobs can I pursue with an associate degree in biology, and how do these roles typically support larger scientific teams?

With an associate degree in biology, you can pursue entry-level positions such as laboratory technician, research assistant, or environmental field technician. In these roles, you'll often work alongside scientists and higher-level researchers, assisting with experiments, data collection, and equipment maintenance. Your work is vital to the team’s overall success, as you help ensure experiments are conducted accurately and efficiently. Additionally, these positions provide hands-on experience that can be a stepping stone to further education or advancement into more specialized roles within the biological sciences.

What is the difference between Associate Degree In Biology vs Laboratory Technician?

AspectAssociate Degree In BiologyLaboratory Technician
Required CredentialsAssociate degree in biology or related fieldAssociate degree or certificate in laboratory technology
Work EnvironmentClassroom, research labs, fieldworkMedical, research, or industrial labs
Industry UsageEducation, research, healthcare supportLaboratory testing, sample analysis

Both roles often require an associate degree and involve working in laboratory or research settings. While an Associate Degree In Biology provides a broad foundation in biological sciences suitable for education and research, a Laboratory Technician focuses more on conducting tests and experiments in lab environments. The choice depends on whether you prefer a more academic or hands-on technical role within the biological sciences industry.

Is an associate degree in biology worth it?

An associate degree in biology prepares individuals for entry-level roles such as laboratory technician or research assistant, often requiring skills in lab techniques and data analysis. It can serve as a stepping stone to further education or certifications, but may have limited job opportunities compared to a bachelor's degree in biology or related fields.

What cities near Renton, WA are hiring for Associate Degree In Biology jobs?

Cities near Renton, WA with the most Associate Degree In Biology job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Degree In Biology job openings in Renton, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,764 per year, or $24.4 per hour.

$79K/yr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Science and Technology (OST), with one vacancy in Anchorage, AK; La Jolla, CA; Miami, FL; Woods Hole, MA; Silver Spring, MD; or Seattle, WA.Qualifications:

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position may be filled with series 0482 (Fish Biology)/1530 (Statistician). Each series requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement in addition to at least one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience or a substitution of education for experience (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet one of the following basic education requirements:
To qualify for the 0482 series:
EDUCATION:
A. Degree: major in biological science that included:

  • At least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects such as limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology; and
  • At least 12 semester hours in the animal sciences in such subjects as general zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, entomology, parasitology, ecology, cellular biology, genetics, or research in these fields. (Excess course work in aquatic subjects may be used to meet this requirement when appropriate.)

OR
B.Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), of which a minimum of 6 semester hours were in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours were in the animal sciences, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
To qualify for the 1530 series:
EDUCATION:
A. Degree: That included 15 semester hours in statistics (or in mathematics and statistics, provided at least 6 semester hours were in statistics), and 9 additional semester hours in one or more of the following: physical or biological sciences, medicine, education, or engineering; or in the social sciences including demography, history, economics, social welfare, geography, international relations, social or cultural anthropology, health sociology, political science, public administration, psychology, etc. Credit toward meeting statistical course requirements should be given for courses in which 50 percent of the course content appears to be statistical methods, e.g., courses that included studies in research methods in psychology or economics such as tests and measurements or business cycles, or courses in methods of processing mass statistical data such as tabulating methods or electronic data processing.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience: Courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The experience should have included a full range of professional statistical work such as (a) sampling, (b) collecting, computing, and analyzing statistical data, and (c) applying statistical techniques such as measurement of central tendency, dispersion, skewness, sampling error, simple and multiple correlation, analysis of variance, and tests of significance.
-AND-
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
To qualify at the ZP-3 or GS-11 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-2 or GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

  • Assisting with analyzing ongoing surveys; and
  • Assisting with coordination of communications and activities with state, federal or non-federal partners.
OR
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.
OR
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of successfully completed graduate-level education and specialized experience may be used to meet the total experience requirements. Note: Only graduate-level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower level may be combined with experience.
To qualify at the ZP-4 or GS-13 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-3 or GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
  • Coordinating or planning projects based on parameters such as overall objectives, milestones, expected results, and constraints;
  • Managing the collection, evaluation and reporting of marine recreational statistics for internal or external stakeholders; and
  • Developing questionnaires, quality control methods, reporting methods, or outreach and educational activities.
Education:

College Transcript: If you are qualifying based on education, submit a copy of your college transcript that lists college courses detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., Bio 101, Math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours and grade earned. You must submit evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution is equivalent to U.S. education standards with your resume. You may submit an unofficial copy of the transcript at the initial phase of the application process. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.
Note: Your college transcript is used to verify successful completion of degree, or college course work. An official college transcript will be required before you can report to duty.
Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: OPM Foreign Education Evaluation.

Employment Type: OTHER