How long does it take to be a laboratory assistant?

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.

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.

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.

What makes a good lab assistant?

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.

What skills do lab assistants need?

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.

What is a laboratory assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Benjamin Ford,

Xenia Morin Ph.D.

A laboratory assistant provides support in scientific or medical laboratories. They prepare and maintain laboratory equipment, order supplies, and assist scientists with experiments and data analysis. They may also sterilize equipment, monitor inventory, and maintain experiment records. A laboratory assistant typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, and may receive on-the-job training or additional education in laboratory techniques. The role requires attention to detail, organization skills, and the ability to follow protocols.

What general advice would you give to a laboratory assistant?

Benjamin Ford

Professor and Chair, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Students graduating this year have come through a life-changing year. I'd encourage them to embrace that change. Rather than putting this year behind them and moving on, I'd like graduates to reflect on what worked and didn't work in the past year, and use that reflection to improve themselves and the world. This could be as simple as continuing to hone the time management skills we were all forced to develop, or as large as working to dismantle one of the structural inequalities that became glaringly apparent as nations struggled with health and economy.

ScoreLaboratory AssistantUS Average

Salary

2.7

Avg. Salary $34,168

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.6

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.80%

Asian 13.95%

Black or African American 9.61%

Hispanic or Latino 17.00%

Unknown 5.10%

White 53.53%

Gender

female 56.42%

male 43.58%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

6.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

8.7

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a laboratory assistant?

Pros

Chance to work on a variety of projects and experiments
Opportunities for career advancement in the scientific field
Chance to work with a team of like-minded individuals
Ability to build strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Opportunity to work in a clean, safe, and regulated environment

Cons

Possibility of accidents or injuries in the lab
Low starting salaries for entry-level positions
Potential for monotony or boredom with repetitive tasks
Limited opportunities for career advancement outside of the scientific field
Possibility of encountering difficult or demanding supervisors or colleagues

Key steps to become a laboratory assistant

Explore laboratory assistant education requirements

Most common laboratory assistant degrees

Bachelor's

63.5 %

Associate

15.8 %

High School Diploma

7.3 %

Start to develop specific laboratory assistant skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	14.71%
Phlebotomy	12.12%
Customer Service	6.39%
Lab Procedures	4.91%
Specimen Collection	4.84%

Complete relevant laboratory assistant training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New laboratory assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a laboratory assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real laboratory assistant resumes.

Research laboratory assistant duties and responsibilities

Comfort frighten patients and maintain an exceptionally bright professional demeanor to accomplish a procedure that makes most people very uncomfortable.
Maintain and QC check laboratory equipment.
Preform laboratory duties using microscopes, centrifuges and a host of other laboratory equipment.
Provide excellent customer service to patients while accurately updating patient demographics, insurance and billing information in LabCorp LCM program.

Prepare your laboratory assistant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your laboratory assistant resume.

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