Q: How much do laboratory assistants make?

Laboratory assistants make about $33,000 a year. This average salary ranges between $27,000 and $39,000 in a year, mainly on experience and education levels. While laboratory assistants are typically only required to hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED, they will earn more if they have completed some additional education. This achievement can be through a year vocational school program or a traditional associate's or bachelor's degree program.

Q: Is it hard to be a lab assistant?

No, it is not hard to be a laboratory assistant. While all jobs come with different challenges and stressors, typically, laboratory assistants have a reasonably straightforward job that is not hard to do.

Q: How much do lab workers make?

Lab workers make around $54,000 a year or $26 per hour. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, lab workers (commonly also called clinical laboratory technologists or medical laboratory scientists) can earn more than $83,700.

Q: Is a lab assistant a good job?

Yes, being a laboratory assistant is a good job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, lab assistant and technician jobs will continue to experience significant growth soon. With a 13 percent increase in demand for clinical and medical laboratory technicians, it is a great field to pursue in healthcare. Becoming a laboratory assistant is an easy way into the healthcare field, with low entry-level requirements and a high ability to find well-paying jobs and progress.

Question 1

How long does it take to be a laboratory assistant?

Accepted Answer

It takes between one to four years to become a laboratory assistant. Lab assistants are typically only required to hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED.

While a person can become a laboratory assistant with only their high school diploma, it is good to pursue additional education. The quickest way is to complete a vocational school program. Some vocational schools offer laboratory assistant training programs to give candidates the information to succeed in the role.

Question 2

How much do laboratory assistants make?

Accepted Answer

Laboratory assistants make about $33,000 a year. This average salary ranges between $27,000 and $39,000 in a year, mainly on experience and education levels.

While laboratory assistants are typically only required to hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED, they will earn more if they have completed some additional education. This achievement can be through a year vocational school program or a traditional associate's or bachelor's degree program.

Question 3

Is it hard to be a lab assistant?

Accepted Answer

No, it is not hard to be a laboratory assistant. While all jobs come with different challenges and stressors, typically, laboratory assistants have a reasonably straightforward job that is not hard to do.

Question 4

What makes a good lab assistant?

Accepted Answer

What makes a good lab assistant is the ability to maintain attention to detail and analysis to perform their job duties efficiently and effectively. Good laboratory assistants typically possess a certificate or degree that has trained them extensively in their job duties and allows them to perform to the best of their ability.

Question 5

What skills do lab assistants need?

Accepted Answer

Lab assistants need attention to detail, time management, and communication. These skills are critical for the basic functioning of the role and ensure quality results from labs.

Lab assistants must communicate clearly and efficiently with others in the lab for the lab to run efficiently. Laboratory assistants must have an in-depth understanding of medical terminology to understand and communicate with the doctors in the lab. They also must write notes and reports, which means they need strong written communication skills.

Question 6

What is a good starting salary for a Laboratory Assistant?

Accepted Answer

A good starting salary for a laboratory assistant is $26,000 in the United States. That puts you in the 10th percentile of annual income for a laboratory assistant in the U.S., which is about what you would expect if you were new to the field. The average salary for laboratory assistants is $33,031, but that normally requires some level of experience to achieve. Furthermore, a good starting salary for a laboratory assistant can vary by state.

Question 7

How much do lab workers make?

Accepted Answer

Lab workers make around $54,000 a year or $26 per hour. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, lab workers (commonly also called clinical laboratory technologists or medical laboratory scientists) can earn more than $83,700.

Question 8

Is a lab assistant a good job?

Accepted Answer

Yes, being a laboratory assistant is a good job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, lab assistant and technician jobs will continue to experience significant growth soon.

With a 13 percent increase in demand for clinical and medical laboratory technicians, it is a great field to pursue in healthcare. Becoming a laboratory assistant is an easy way into the healthcare field, with low entry-level requirements and a high ability to find well-paying jobs and progress.

Question 9

Can a laboratory assistant make 100k?

Accepted Answer

No, you cannot make $100,000 per year as a laboratory assistant. It is highly unlikely to earn over $100k because the average annual salary for a laboratory assistant is $33,031. Even laboratory assistants in higher-paid positions do not typically earn more than $41,000 per year.

Question 10

What percentage of Laboratory Assistants are female?

Accepted Answer

56.5% of laboratory assistants are female in the United States. This is -1.9 percentage points lower than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female laboratory assistants has decreased by -3.4 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 117,965 female laboratory assistants in the U.S. and 90,823 male laboratory assistants in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 208,788 people with the specific job title of laboratory assistant and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.

Question 11

How do I describe my lab experience on a resume?

Accepted Answer

You describe your lab experience on a resume in reverse chronological order, making sure you include examples of specific achievements from your time working in a lab. Additionally, it's important to note any education and certifications you have obtained and the relevant hard and soft skills you have developed in lab environments.

Question 12

What are some laboratory skills to put on a resume?

Accepted Answer

Laboratory skills to put on a resume include research, analysis, attention to detail, and communication. Lab skills for a resume are any skills you use in a laboratory, either as a research student or a professional researcher. It will be important to showcase the most relevant laboratory skills for your resume to stand out.

Question 13

What is a lab assistant's job description?

Accepted Answer

A lab assistant's job description describes is to collect and preparing various testing samples in collaboration with senior lab members. Job descriptions for lab assistants often detail the responsibility for managing and organizing all of the lab's records and other documents.

Question 14

What should a lab assistant put on a resume?

Accepted Answer

A lab assistant should put all education and experience relating to lab experience on a resume. Additionally, it will be important to note any certifications you have earned and the relevant hard and soft skills you have developed in lab environments.

Frequently asked questions about laboratory assistants

Questions about becoming a laboratory assistant