How To Become A Laboratory Helper: What It Is and Career Path

What is a laboratory helper and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Tanea Reed Ph.D.

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a laboratory helper. For example, did you know that they make an average of $16.99 an hour? That's $35,348 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 9% and produce 7,700 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a laboratory helper?

Dr. Tanea Reed Ph.D.

Chair, Professor, Eastern Kentucky University

To a graduate just starting out, I would highly recommend establishing a list of short-term and long-term goals. Think about where they see themselves in the next 5 to 10 years and how they plan to reach them using SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound). Additionally, if they have not already done so, they should set up a LinkedIn account as many jobs can be found on that platform. New graduates should plan on making multiple resumes that can be used when applying to different jobs based on the criteria (i.e., skills, academic, etc.). Lastly, I would recommend making a list of their "dream jobs and companies" and research the skills needed to perform the duties of their dream job and learn more about the company itself.

ScoreLaboratory HelperUS Average

Salary

2.8

Avg. Salary $35,348

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.6

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.80%

Asian 18.25%

Black or African American 9.30%

Hispanic or Latino 15.70%

Unknown 5.03%

White 50.92%

Gender

female 45.95%

male 54.05%

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

Key steps to become a laboratory helper

Explore laboratory helper education requirements

Most common laboratory helper degrees

Bachelor's

59.7 %

High School Diploma

18.5 %

Associate

14.5 %

Start to develop specific laboratory helper skills

Skills	Percentages
Laboratory Equipment	26.82%
Chemistry	24.67%
Lab Equipment	11.52%
Laboratory Maintenance	9.89%
PCR	4.50%

Complete relevant laboratory helper training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New laboratory helpers 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 helper based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real laboratory helper resumes.

Research laboratory helper duties and responsibilities

Comfort frighten patients and maintain an exceptionally bright professional demeanor to accomplish a procedure that makes most people very uncomfortable.
Perform DNA digestion and precipitation, PCR, genotyping, and gel electrophoresis.
Prepare DNA samples for various experiment.
Perform maintenance and troubleshoot network problems.

Prepare your laboratory helper resume

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

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a laboratory helper resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable laboratory helper resume templates

Build a professional laboratory helper resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your laboratory helper resume.