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

What is a laboratory instructor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Rodney Foster

Laboratory instructors teach students how to conduct experiments in laboratories. They usually work closely with a professor or teacher, who teaches students scientific concepts in the lecture hall, while the laboratory instructor handles the hands-on aspect of students' learning. They make sure that students learn appropriate scientific methods and how to follow lab safety protocol by designing experiments, modeling how to use laboratory equipment, and supervising students as they work. Laboratory instructors also grade student lab reports. Besides working with students, laboratory instructors conduct additional administrative tasks that are needed to keep their laboratory running. They set up and maintain equipment and keep track of supply inventory.

Most laboratory instructors have an advanced degree in biology or another science, such as a master's or a doctorate. Sometimes, laboratory instructors are students themselves working towards a graduate degree who supervise younger students.

Laboratory instructors need plenty of professional experience working in a laboratory before they can teach others how to do the same. Many have previous work experience as laboratory assistants. They earn an average salary of $52,568 a year.

What general advice would you give to a laboratory instructor?

Rodney Foster

Instructor - Aviation Maintenance Technology Instructor - Airframe & Powerplant Technology, Orange Coast College

Orange Coast College (OCC) teaches Aircraft Maintenance Technology (AMT) and Avionics. Although the Government has dampened air travel by putting up restrictions to prevent a Covid-19 spread, there is still a certified mechanic/skilled labor shortage. I believe all our students will have permanent jobs within a six-month search. OCC AMT is listed as an essential workforce by the state of California and is back in classes full-time, Face-to-face labs, and online lectures. Our next semester registration maximum filled in two days and still has over 35 additional students per class on the waiting list.

ScoreLaboratory InstructorUS Average

Salary

3.9

Avg. Salary $49,931

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.9

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.28%

Asian 15.17%

Black or African American 6.87%

Hispanic or Latino 9.82%

Unknown 4.89%

White 62.97%

Gender

female 48.75%

male 51.25%

Age - 46

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 - 46

Stress level

6.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.1

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a laboratory instructor

Explore laboratory instructor education requirements

Most common laboratory instructor degrees

Bachelor's

65.6 %

Master's

17.1 %

Associate

8.9 %

Start to develop specific laboratory instructor skills

Skills	Percentages
Lab Procedures	26.15%
Molecular Biology	7.81%
Patient Care	6.78%
Anatomy	4.86%
Student Performance	4.86%

Complete relevant laboratory instructor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New laboratory instructors 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 instructor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real laboratory instructor resumes.

Research laboratory instructor duties and responsibilities

Assist classmates with developing positive study habits and strategies for managing classroom material.
Lecture on physiology via computer simulations which include group student discussion.
Prepare physiology equipment and dissection demonstration cats for other teaching assistants to follow.
Upgrade PowerPoint presentations with audio/visual animations and computer graphics, which appeal to the students thus increasing their attentiveness.

Prepare your laboratory instructor resume

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

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