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Life Sciences & Biotechnology

This sector focuses on finding solutions for the world’s great challenges in health care, agriculture, and sustainability. Firms include research, testing and medical laboratories that are engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of new products. The Life Sciences & Biotechnology sector encompasses many segments, including pharmaceuticals, biomedical devices, M-Health (mobile health) or wireless health, agricultural and industrial biotechnology (e.g., biofuels, biodegradable materials), and bioscience-related distribution and trade. The Life Sciences & Biotechnology sector is an economic driver and job producer; for every job created in this sector, four other jobs are generated throughout San Diego County.

San Diego County Career Pathways & Salary Info - Hourly Rate (Salary)*

HS Diploma + Postsecondary Training (e.g., Certificate)

  • Medical Appliance Technicians $14 ($29K)
  • Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $18 ($37K)
  • Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders $19 ($40K)
  • Chemical Plant and System Operators $20 ($42K)

Associate Degree or Higher

  • Chemical Technicians $18 ($37K)
  • Biological Technicians $18 ($37K)
  • Microbiologists $30 ($62K)
  • Chemical Engineers $42 ($87K)

*Entry-level hourly rates have been rounded up and salaries are provided as examples of what workers would make if they worked full-time (2080 hours a year)

Sample of Local Employers

  • Abbott
  • Beckman Coulter
  • Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD)
  • Genentech
  • Illumina
  • Kite-Gilead
  • Lab Corp
  • SeaSpine, Inc.
  • Pfizer
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific

Imperial County Career Pathways & Salary Info - Hourly Rate (Salary)*

HS Diploma + Postsecondary Training (e.g., Certificate)

  • Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $15 ($31K)

Associate Degree or Higher

  • Medical Equipment Repairers $14 ($29K)
  • Biochemists and Biophysicists $17 ($35K)
  • Social Science Research Assistants $20 ($42K)
  • Microbiologists $54 ($112K)

*Entry-level hourly rates have been rounded up and salaries are provided as examples of what workers would make if they worked full-time (2080 hours a year)

Sample of Local Employers

  • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
  • Synthetic Genomics
  • BHE Renewables
  • Imperial County Environmental Health
  • LabCorp
  • Grifols

Fast Facts

  • 68,890 people employed
  • 6% (4,054) 5-year projected job growth
  • 2,280 businesses
  • 16% of the sector's employment in California
  • $190,668 average earnings per job
  • 11% of the sector's businesses in California
Source: Labor market data derived from EMSI 2021.03; QCEW, Non-QCEW, Self-Employed; 2020-2025 projections.

Programs & Schools

Grossmont College

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  • Forensics
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MiraCosta College

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  • Biomanufacturing
  • Bioprocess Technology
  • Laboratory Skills
  • Research and Development
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San Diego Miramar College

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  • Applied Biotechnology - Molecular Biology
  • Biology/Allied Health Track
  • Biotechnology
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Southwestern College

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  • Biotechnology
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student success story

Student Story: Tracy Naputi

Today, Tracy is a scientist. But before getting career training, she was a divorced mother of five, managing a McDonald’s and living with her kids in her mom’s two-bedroom apartment. Tracy wanted to provide a better life for her family and saw the opportunity to earn more money if she studied biotechnology.Watch now to discover how quickly Tracy was hired.

Career videos