How to hire a chemical laboratory assistant

How to hire a chemical laboratory assistant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step chemical 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 chemical laboratory assistant job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new chemical laboratory assistant
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a chemical laboratory assistant job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   The chemical laboratory assistant hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A chemical laboratory assistant's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, chemical laboratory assistants from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of chemical laboratory assistant salaries for various roles:

   Type of Chemical Laboratory Assistant	Description	Hourly rate
   Chemical Laboratory Assistant	Chemical technicians use special instruments and techniques to help chemists and chemical engineers research, develop, produce, and test chemical products and processes.	$11-28
   Formulation Technician	Formulation Technicians are responsible for preparing and testing formulations samples to meet the research and development goals. Their duties include preparing samples for different formulations, undertaking pilot production studies, assessing storage stability, conducting physical property measuring, and performing chemical and physical formulation assessments... Show more	$14-36
   Analytical Technician	Analytical technicians are professionals who are responsible for managing the daily operation of activities in a laboratory as well as maintain lab equipment to ensure a high standard of sanitation. These technicians must assist in laboratory work, such as developing analytical test methods and performing analysis of raw materials and in-process samples... Show more	$19-54

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Safety Procedures
   • Laboratory Equipment
   • Chemistry Lab
   • Organic Chemistry
   • Crisis Intervention
   • Client Intake
   • Chemical Solutions
   • Chemical Waste
   • Lab Equipment
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Chemical Inventory
   • GC-MS
   • IR
   • Hazardous Waste

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Comfort frighten patients and maintain an exceptionally bright professional demeanor to accomplish a procedure that makes most people very uncomfortable.
   • Comfort frighten patients and maintain an exceptionally bright professional demeanor to accomplish a procedure that makes most people very uncomfortable.
   • Produce reliable results on time under GLP conditions.
   • Gel electrophoresis and gene sequencing to identify differences in gene expression.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, chemical laboratory assistants' average salary in oklahoma is 49% less than in maryland.
   • Seniority. Entry-level chemical laboratory assistants 62% less than senior-level chemical laboratory assistants.
   • Certifications. A chemical 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 chemical laboratory assistant's salary.

   Average chemical laboratory assistant salary

   $37,380yearly

   $17.97 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level chemical laboratory assistant salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated February 1, 2026

4. Writing a chemical laboratory assistant job description

   A chemical laboratory assistant job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a chemical laboratory assistant job description:

   Chemical laboratory assistant job description example

   ***** Pfizer now offering a $4,000 SIGN-ON BONUS for successful hires through August 31st *****
   
   **Why Patients Need You**
   
   Our breakthroughs would not make it to the hands of patients without our pharmaceutical manufacturing team. We rely on a team of dedicated and agile members, who understand the importance and impact of their role in Pfizer's mission. Patients need colleagues like you who take pride in their work and always look to improve outcomes. You will help to ensure that patients and physicians have the medicines they need when they need them.
   
   **What You Will Achieve**
   
   You will be operating automatic and manual chemical process equipment of varying complexity in various production processes by operating procedures. You will perform quality control analyses as required to complete in-process batches and identify variations. You will be trained in hazardous material handling and emergency procedures as these processes may generate high pressure and/or critical reactions.
   
   As part of technical operations, you will be a team member who is relied on to have a good understanding of procedures, techniques, tools, materials, and equipment. Your decision-making will help you prioritize workflows based on the available resources. You will follow standard procedures to complete tasks, some of which may vary in scope, sequence, complexity, and timing. You will contribute to the team's success by sharing your previously acquired knowledge.
   
   It is your hard work and focus that will help in making Pfizer ready to achieve new milestones and help patients across the globe.
   
   **How You Will Achieve It**
   
   + Manage own time and professional development, be accountable for own results and prioritize own workflow.
   
   + Operate automatic and manual chemical process equipment of varying complexity in various production processes by operating procedures.
   
   + Perform duties required in operating a variety of equipment used in your assigned area of the division, maintaining responsibility for tasks as assigned.
   
   + Operate process equipment, such as filter presses, pumps, and agitators.
   
   + Participate in quality and safety incident investigation.
   
   + Troubleshoot all operating deviations and issues and coordinate with other functions when required.
   
   + Complete all documentation according to Good Manufacturing Practices {also cGMP} and Good Distribution Practices {part of GxP} standards.
   
   + Responsible for preparation and clearing of equipment for maintenance work.
   
   + Perform material receiving, staging, transfer, dispensing, sampling, and charging operations.
   
   + Monitor the plant status and liaise with colleagues of other departments to ensure there is no interruption to the manufacturing process.
   
   + Maintain Pfizer standards and values for quality, safety, and environmental objectives as well as meeting production goals.
   
   + Complete all training by attending scheduled training.
   
   **Qualifications**
   
   **Must-Have**
   
   + High School Diploma or GED
   
   + 2+ years of experience in GMPs
   
   + Knowledge of industry practices and standards
   
   + Ability to work in a team environment and have good interpersonal skills is essential.
   
   + Effective written and oral communication
   
   + Computer Skills, such as Microsoft Applications and experience with System Applications & Products
   
   **Nice-to-Have**
   
   + Bachelor's Degree
   
   + Experience in a chemical or formulation manufacturing environment
   
   **PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS**
   
   • Considerable standing, walking, climbing of stairs and ladders, lifting and moving of containers up to 25 kg. Considerable outside environment; hot/cold conditions. Frequent exposure to airborne particles; Must work near moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is loud. Use of hearing, hand, head, feet, eye, and repertory protection are required. 7-day work schedule, holidays, and weekend coverage.
   
   **NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL, OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS**
   
   7-day work schedule. Overtime, Holiday and weekend work as required.
   
   Work Location Assignment:On-Premise
   
   Last date to apply: 10/14/2022
   
   **Shift/schedule is subject to change**
   
   Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.
   
   **Pfizer requires all U.S. new hires to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to the first date of employment. As required by applicable law, Pfizer will consider requests for Reasonable Accommodations.**
   
   **Sunshine Act**
   
   Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations. These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider's name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure. Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act. Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government. If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.
   
   **EEO & Employment Eligibility**
   
   Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify employer.
   
   Manufacturing
   
   \#LI-PFE

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right chemical 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 chemical laboratory assistant job on Zippia to find and recruit chemical laboratory assistant candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting chemical laboratory assistants requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 chemical laboratory assistant

   Once you've selected the best chemical laboratory assistant candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new chemical laboratory assistant. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

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