How to hire a Biology Laboratory Assistant

How to hire a biology laboratory assistant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step biology laboratory assistant hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a biology laboratory assistant job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new biology laboratory assistant
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a Biology Laboratory Assistant do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the biology laboratory assistant you need to hire. Certain biology laboratory assistant roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine Employee vs Contractor Status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a biology laboratory assistant to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a biology laboratory assistant that fits the bill.

   This list presents biology laboratory assistant salaries for various positions.

   Type Of Biology Laboratory Assistant	Description	Hourly Rate
   Biology Laboratory Assistant	Biological technicians help biological and medical scientists conduct laboratory tests and experiments.	$10-25
   Research Fellow	A research fellow is an academic researcher who conducts research and analysis of comprehensive literature, data, and results and provides literature reviews. He/She supervises research assistants and recruits study participants to interview them for a particular study... Show More	$18-34
   Research Technician	A research technician is responsible for assisting in research studies and laboratory experiments. Research technicians operate laboratory tools and equipment, process data for experiments, collect samples for study, analyze existing research materials, analyze experiment results, manage inventories and stock supplies, record observations, and create reports for further examination... Show More	$14-28

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common Skills:

   • Lab Equipment
   • Biology Laboratory
   • Chemistry
   • Anatomy
   • Physiology
   • Lab Experiments
   • Lab Safety
   • PCR
   • Lab Materials
   • Molecular Biology
   • Lab Techniques
   • Blood Products
   • DNA
   • Electrophoresis

   Check All Skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Comfort frighten patients and maintain an exceptionally bright professional demeanor to accomplish a procedure that makes most people very uncomfortable.
   • Set up gel electrophoresis, clean slides, run experiments.
   • Prepare culture media and ELISA samples following standard procedures.
   • Prepare stock solutions, media for growing bacteria and yeast, electrophoresis gels and pouring agar plates.
   • Aid students independently with laboratory work regarding basic principles of evolution, genetics, ecology, and molecular and cellular biology.
   • Supervise and train fellow colleagues in GC, GC-MS, ATR-IR, FTIR, UV/Vis and DSC.

   More Biology Laboratory Assistant duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your biology laboratory assistant job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A biology laboratory assistant can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, biology laboratory assistants' average salary in utah is 55% less than in massachusetts.
   • Seniority. Entry-level biology laboratory assistants 58% less than senior-level biology laboratory assistants.
   • Certifications. A biology laboratory assistant with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a biology laboratory assistant's salary.

   Average biology laboratory assistant salary

   $16.46hourly

   $34,240 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level biology laboratory assistant salary

   $22,000 yearly salary

   Updated May 17, 2025

   Average biology laboratory assistant salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. Salary	Hourly Rate
   1	Massachusetts	$56,449	$27
   2	District of Columbia	$43,680	$21
   3	California	$41,311	$20
   4	Illinois	$40,428	$19
   5	Michigan	$38,513	$19
   6	Texas	$32,197	$15
   7	North Carolina	$31,448	$15
   8	Missouri	$31,293	$15
   9	Florida	$30,230	$15

   Average biology laboratory assistant salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average Salary	Hourly Rate	Job Openings
   1	Massachusetts General Hospital	$60,056	$28.87	2
   2	University of California-Berkeley	$52,336	$25.16
   3	Bridgewater State University	$52,090	$25.04	2
   4	UC Santa Barbara	$50,364	$24.21
   5	Northwestern University	$47,764	$22.96	22
   6	The George Washington University	$42,739	$20.55
   7	PSEA	$41,260	$19.84	96
   8	Resolve	$38,086	$18.31
   9	The State of Oregon	$36,925	$17.75	5
   10	UT Health San Antonio	$36,854	$17.72	21
   11	Kelly Services	$35,015	$16.83	82
   12	OneBlood	$33,172	$15.95	13
   13	WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA	$32,617	$15.68	54
   14	Virginia's Community Colleges	$31,906	$15.34	31
   15	Weston	$30,750	$14.78	8
   16	University of Michigan	$28,028	$13.47	82
   17	Northeast State Community College	$27,062	$13.01

4. Writing a Biology Laboratory Assistant Job Description

   A good biology laboratory assistant job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a biology laboratory assistant job description:

   Biology Laboratory Assistant job description example

   Performs tasks related to the manufacturing and/or distribution duties for the management of whole blood and blood components, in compliance with OneBlood standard operating procedures.
   
   Position Schedule: This is a full-time position that will work 3:00 PM - 11:30 PM Thursday - Monday; off Tuesday and Wednesday
   
   Training Schedule: Candidate must be available to attend training Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm for a period of 2-3 weeks
   Responsibilities
   
   The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the duties and responsibilities performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.
   
   * Manufactures, stores and distributes blood and blood products
   * Performs data entry associated with component production, labeling, storage and shipping ensuring accurate and complete manufacturing records
   * Operates, maintains and performs quality control checks on equipment
   * Ensures suitability and accurate labeling of products for release and distribution
   * Performs the quarantine and disposition of unacceptable products and/or samples
   * Ensures adequate inventory of required supplies.
   
   This position will also have Medical Courier responsibilities, as needed, and additional background checks will be required.
   
   Qualifications
   
   To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
   
   EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
   
   High School diploma or equivalent and proficient computer skills. Prior laboratory and/or blood bank experience preferred.
   
   CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND DESIGNATIONS:
   
   Current and valid driver license in good standing.
   
   KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
   
   * Ability to organize work for timely completion
   * Ability to follow complex oral and written instructions
   * Ability to speak, write, read and understand English
   * Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
   * Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
   * Basic computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
   * Skill in operating office equipment
   
   PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
   
   The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Tasks involve the periodic performance of moderately physically demanding work, usually involving lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (up to 50 pounds). Tasks that require moving objects of significant weight require the assistance of another person and/or use of proper techniques and moving equipment. Tasks may involve some climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
   
   ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
   
   The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job.
   
   Functions are regularly performed inside and/or outside with potential for exposure to adverse conditions, such as inclement weather, atmospheric elements and pathogenic substances. Performance of this job could expose the employee to blood-borne pathogens. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
   
   OneBlood is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disability/Other Protected Categories

   Copy This Example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right biology laboratory assistant for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your biology laboratory assistant job on Zippia to find and recruit biology laboratory assistant candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with biology laboratory assistant candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new biology laboratory assistant

   Once you have selected a candidate for the biology laboratory assistant position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new biology laboratory assistant first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a biology laboratory assistant?