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Laboratory internship job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected laboratory internship job growth rate is 9% from 2018-2028.
About 7,700 new jobs for laboratory interns are projected over the next decade.
Laboratory internship salaries have increased 9% for laboratory interns in the last 5 years.
There are over 88,233 laboratory interns currently employed in the United States.
There are 90,970 active laboratory internship job openings in the US.
The average laboratory internship salary is $35,305.
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88,233 | 0.03% |
| 2020 | 91,193 | 0.03% |
| 2019 | 90,927 | 0.03% |
| 2018 | 89,332 | 0.03% |
| 2017 | 88,884 | 0.03% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $35,305 | $16.97 | +1.0% |
| 2025 | $34,940 | $16.80 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $33,903 | $16.30 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $33,370 | $16.04 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $32,395 | $15.57 | +2.1% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,762 | 26% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 157 | 23% |
| 3 | Vermont | 623,657 | 112 | 18% |
| 4 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 141 | 16% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 204 | 15% |
| 6 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 997 | 13% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 686 | 12% |
| 8 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 496 | 12% |
| 9 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 368 | 12% |
| 10 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 121 | 12% |
| 11 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 94 | 12% |
| 12 | Alaska | 739,795 | 92 | 12% |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,350 | 11% |
| 14 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 690 | 11% |
| 15 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 279 | 10% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 104 | 10% |
| 17 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 56 | 10% |
| 18 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 838 | 9% |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 536 | 9% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 124 | 9% |
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 1 | 4% | $29,034 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $35,656 |
| 3 | Chelmsford | 1 | 3% | $41,553 |
| 4 | Culver City | 1 | 3% | $41,708 |
| 5 | Dover | 1 | 3% | $35,775 |
| 6 | Beverly | 1 | 2% | $41,456 |
| 7 | Cedar Rapids | 1 | 1% | $33,725 |
| 8 | Champaign | 1 | 1% | $38,135 |
| 9 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $46,525 |
| 10 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $39,603 |
| 11 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $32,232 |
| 12 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $29,958 |
| 13 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $41,792 |
| 14 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $31,425 |
| 15 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $33,114 |
Ohio State University
Vanderbilt University

Georgetown University Medical Center
Utah Valley University

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
University of St Andrews

University of New Hampshire- Manchester

Seattle University
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Old Dominion University
The University of Akron

Siena College
Rutgers University - New Brunswick

Houston Baptist University

Adelphi University

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

University of New Hampshire

Bay Path University

East Tennessee State University
Ohio State University
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies
Dr. Judson Jeffries: Introduce yourself to some of the more noteworthy people in the field at conferences. Establish a relationship with those folks. I am not saying that your circle should include only the most celebrated academics in your field, but you want to get to know maybe 3 to 4 such persons for the following reasons: 1) to position oneself to get sage, counsel and advice from seasoned academics 2) to learn about various opportunities that may not be publicly advertised and 3) at some point the person 's department will need people to evaluate that person for tenure and promotion. Some departments will ask the junior professor for a list of names. At that point the junior professor will be equipped to provide that list. Finally, go into those fields understanding that you have a responsibility to advocate on behalf of those historically marginalized groups that you're studying. What's more, that person needs to understand that what comes with that is doing research that addresses some of the challenges those groups face.
Dr. Judson Jeffries: Grant writing ability. Scholars will become increasingly reliant on securing grants as universities and colleges continue to tighten their belts. This is especially true for state schools where some state legislatures are not as generous with funding as they once were. The state supported The Ohio State University is one such example. There are many more.
Vanderbilt University
Theological And Ministerial Studies
Phillis Sheppard Ph.D.: I tell recent graduates read the contract and the faculty manual. Make sure you understand the long term implications of your early salary. Second, plan for retirement now; do not wait until you are making the salary of your fantasies. Take advantage of opportunities to learn about financial health and management. Third, position yourself. Write and publish directly and clearly in your field of study and adjacent areas. Fourth, create a plan with vision for the career you think you want. Finally, one way or the other, you will carve out a career or job, but a vocation is nurtured by paying attention to where and you experience passion and a deep sense of belonging. A vocation is where your heart and intellect find a meaningful place in responding to the world's needs. Your salary best positions you when it supports you whole life and commitments.

Georgetown University Medical Center
Department of Biochemistry Molecular and Cell Biology
Ivica Labuda: Time management and a positive attitude. Some key soft skills that are rewarded in biotech workplaces are time management and effective teamwork. With a lot of impressive competition, it's soft skills and a positive personality that allow graduates to succeed.
Ivica Labuda: The competitive nature of the industry means that strong technical skills are a must. Technical skills like a fairly deep knowledge of biology and chemistry, current industry best practices, and recent biotech developments are a prerequisite for success, as they give students the deep foundation and comprehension needed to make difficult project-specific decisions in manufacturing, regulatory, policy, or business issues.
Ivica Labuda: The most important skills are those that will put the graduate on their unique path to personal success. At the end of the day, if you're dedicated to your craft and work hard with an open mind, the monetary reward will come. Not just that, you'll be able to help others and improve global society. The key is simple, honest hard work.
Utah Valley University
Biology Department
Jim Price Ph.D.: I guess if I try to break these down into soft skills and technical skills, cleanliness, attention to detail, ability to follow protocols will be the technical skills.
Jim Price Ph.D.: I really think critical thinking and management skills ( including communication and teamwork/leadership) are going to be the things that help biotechnologists improve their salaries.

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Humanities Department
Mario Jimenez Chacon: Interpersonal skills, work ethic, the ability to work in teams, flexibility, and communication skills are all fundamental soft skills. Researchers are also humans and work with humans, so it's essential to have these soft skills to create a welcoming research community.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Department of Environmental Sciences
Dr. Sharon Locke Ph.D.: -Strong written and oral communication are most important. If you cannot write well, you cannot be a successful scientist. Period.
-Evidence of skills in working as part of a team of diverse people and ability to understand the culture and language across scientific/technical disciplines--for example, an environmental chemist who understands something about policy or an environmental health specialist that would be able to collect and interpret data collected from community members.
-Willingness to be a lifelong learner.
-Something that helps an applicant stand out, such as experience with project management software or a foreign language.
University of St Andrews
Graduate School for Interdisciplinary Studies
Dr. Jeffrey Hughes: The ability to communicate to academics and practitioners from out-with immediate disciplinary boundaries. The ability to listen to differing perspectives and work to understand differing perspectives through bridging knowledge gaps.

University of New Hampshire- Manchester
Biotechnology Department
Kristen Johnson Ph.D.: Ability to critically think and be flexible in an ever-changing industry; breadth of experience.

Seattle University
Department of Anthropology and Sociology
Harriet Phinney Ph.D.: Empirical data collection: Research skills for collecting original data, analyzing the data, writing up the information collected, and presenting it in a professional manner.
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology
Kyle DiVito Ph.D.: Biotechnology is such a diverse scientific discipline. It can include everything from wet-bench molecular biology to in-silico computer-aided modeling and artificial intelligence. With that being said, it can be hard for those just entering the field to feel that their resume is sufficient to get the traction needed to be noticed by a hiring manager. But a few things will always stand out. Simply stated, hands-on training is essential. An individual with a diverse background that contains immersion training, even if it is only a semester or two, working in either a laboratory or another aspect of biotech will always stand out to hiring managers, and without this asset, job-seekers may find it difficult to land a position that will be both challenging and rewarding. This is especially true now, where employers are looking for a well-qualified and eager workforce for the very technically challenging positions that are required of the biotechnologist. The other skill-set that becomes almost immediately apparent on a resume is communication skills. Is the resume/cv easy to read? Does it provide important information like relevant internships or work experience upfront rather than being hidden? These small details indicate that the individual considered the reader when drafting the resume and likely has well-defined communication skills, which are of immense value for small-scale startups and large pharma alike.
Kyle DiVito Ph.D.: I cannot state the importance of communication enough. I believe the soft skills that we think of today, such as public speaking and professional writing, are all housed under the umbrella of superior communication skills. If an applicant is a great writer, it will come across in the resume. If an applicant is better at speaking than writing, ask a friend, colleague, or, even better, their College/University alumni association to proofread their resume to make it to the in-person interview where they can showcase their public speaking talents. The other soft skill that I feel is often overlooked is problem-solving and critical thinking. Suppose an employee is always thinking about the next step. In that case, whether it be how to solve a problem or how to anticipate the client's request, this sheds the employee and ultimately the company in a great light and will surely pay dividends for the employee. The advantage of the trained biotechnologist is that they are inherently better at this than most other individuals. Biotechnologists are trained to be problem solvers!
Kyle DiVito Ph.D.: From my perspective, the technical skills that are frequently noticed are individuals with training in specific techniques such as gene editing (think CRISPR), vaccine development, tissue engineering, fermentation/bioprocessing skills, and broad knowledge of immunology. While these are a list of varied topics, the biotechnology sector itself is broad and varied, and therefore students or employees seeking to enter the discipline should consider taking courses in these areas or seeking professional advancement in one of the many opportunities that are available within this sector.
Kyle DiVito Ph.D.: By far, the experience will help biotechnology earn the most. The more experience a potential employee has, the more of an asset they will be to an employer, and a capable asset is worth paying for to the employer. This leads back to my initial comment on hands-on learning. Job-seekers looking to establish a foothold in biotechnology, who consistently challenge themselves and seek new opportunities to learn and develop their skills, are likely the best way to become more experienced and the most direct manner to earn at the highest possible potential.
John Cooper Ph.D.: One of the most amazing impacts of the pandemic was the rapidity to which students and employees had to adapt to new online modes of communications and scheduling for large interactive groups. This was already a trend in the sciences where multi-disciplinary teams were geographically dispersed, but now it is a universally expected skill set, and this adoption took place in less than a year. Students who took classes during the pandemic were exposed to a wide-range of teaching and training pedagogies. Virtual labs, at home delivered lab kits, hybrid labs with students both in person and online, and every possible delivery method that can be imagined for lectures became the norm. Our students were unintentionally part of a great experiment where they were able to evaluate what works well and what does not work so well. Whether they know it or not, this knowledge will guide them as they make future decisions in their careers about the best ways to communicate, train, and interact with their peers, employees, and employers. Our graduates are the leaders of the future, and the successful ones will find this experience to have been invaluable.
John Cooper Ph.D.: Although many skill sets are required of our successful graduates, most of these skills take a second seat to communication. The ability to communicate your skills, ideas, work product, and your vision for your area of responsibility to others are paramount to success. During the pandemic, these skills were brought into sharp focus as written communication took precedence over face-to-face discussions, and online verbal communications between large groups demanded a new set of skills for replacing the polite in-person human ques that we have taken for granted but which were developed from early childhood.
Equally as important as the ability to communicate is the ability to think analytically. As both knowledge and data has become democratized over the past decade, success requires that our graduates not only assimilate knowledge, but have the ability to use that knowledge to analyze problems and extrapolate their knowledge in new and useful ways. In the sciences this is encapsulated within the framework of The Scientific Method and is the cornerstone of the research which both our undergraduate and graduate students participate in.
John Cooper Ph.D.: Employers want experience. In the sciences, research is one of the most important experiences that students can obtain. Research allows students to get in-depth hands-on training solving real world problems by putting into practice what they have learned in their labs and lectures. It also allows students to communicate their findings both in peer-reviewed publications and scientific conferences. Research experience is not only a top priority for employers, it is also required for admission to top medical schools and graduate schools in the sciences.
Dr. Ajay Mahajan: Professional areas, such as engineering, medical, law, business, etc., should not see much change except the requirement of new skills that allow them to work with less social interaction. What may change are jobs in some areas such as hospitality, entertainment, transportation, etc., as many of these jobs will be lost to automation. Hence, any job that resists automation should do fine. Certain areas that have to do with climate change, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, health care, etc will do better than others based on the new administration priorities.
Dr. Ajay Mahajan: I think the COVID-19 pandemic will have an enduring effect on graduates, and everyone in the workforce. Graduates will enter a workforce that will be fundamentally changed from the pre-pandemic era. Even after herd immunity, and after we go back to what we will call the new normal, life will not mirror the past. Industry will remain lean, cost-effective and risk-averse for some time. Whatever can be done from home, or remote platforms will be encouraged. Business meetings, interactions, and even negotiations may continue mostly on the remote platforms with some face-to-face meetings. Graduates will need to accept this as the new normal at least for some time.
Dr. Ajay Mahajan: Anyone that can and has adapted to remote working will do fine. Remote working also comes with the caveat that you have to sometimes work alone, without supervision, make decisions on your own, and yet be a team player. Learning new platforms for meetings, business operations, project management and effective leadership will help in increased earning potential. In engineering, being involved in robotics, automation, sustainability, advanced manufacturing, Industry 4.0, smart systems, cyber-security, biomedical innovation, etc., is a plus.

Lucas Tucker Ph.D.: The business of chemistry is a $797 Billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. Over 26% of U.S. GDP is generated from industries that rely on chemistry, ranging from agriculture to oil and gas production, from semiconductors and electronics to textiles and vehicles, and from pharmaceuticals to residential and commercial energy efficiency products.www.americanchemistry.com
Having a degree in chemistry or biochemistry is a good way to have good earning potential. To increase this potential, participation in internships and research experiences are valuable. Often students choose to go on and further their education with graduate degrees. This can also increase earning potential. Students with a degree in chemistry or biochemistry are expected to have strong data skills and this is an area with large growth in industry presently.
Lucas Tucker Ph.D.: The coronavirus pandemic will almost certainly have some impact on student learning. Much of this gap will be closed in the first few years of employment if students work in fields directly using skills learned in the classes affected directly by the pandemic. This will affect skills, especially lab skills, from schools who stayed virtual. This is why we pushed for in-person lab experiences. Schools will work to close these gaps with students who are in the earlier parts of their education.
Lucas Tucker Ph.D.: College students are well served to spend time trying to find ways to differentiate their college degree. This can be accomplished by taking additional classes, participating in additional experiences, and providing service to their community. In chemistry, internships and experience in research are excellent examples of high impact practices that allow scientific maturation. Relationships with your professors and other students and community members can have a real networking benefit. Introducing students to scientific community members can help advance job prospects.
Xenia Morin Ph.D.: Helping new farmers have access to good mentors, facilities, infrastructure, and land as well as easy access to on-going training to incorporate more sustainable practices and build business skills.
Xenia Morin Ph.D.: Yes. Food systems are changing and people have realized that there is a need for local and regional food systems. I expect that people will continue to buy more food locally, when food is available, for the near future. Others will start their own businesses and gardens and try producing some food at home and for their community.
Xenia Morin Ph.D.: Students who are interested in producing food will find themselves in indoor cultivation facilities as well as out in the field. Others will find themselves helping to bring more sustainable practices and awareness to the state.

Houston Baptist University
College of Science & Engineering
Matthew Blank Ph.D.: The coronavirus pandemic will absolutely impact 2021 biology graduates and their potential to secure degree-related employment. However, the impact is oftentimes dependent on available resources in their prospective city. For instance, graduates of HBU are fortunate enough to be in a large city which includes a world-class medical center with significant research and biotech opportunities. If one of our students is hoping to go elsewhere, the number of positions that offer relocation assistance, signing bonuses, and travel expenses are cautiously dwindling during the pandemic. On a positive note, graduates have been forced to learn and master new virtual technologies that are now commonplace in all employment sectors which provide them with an increased professional edge that might have been weaker prior to the pandemic.
Matthew Blank Ph.D.: Earning potential is always directly related to qualities that make an applicant well-rounded. It helps to pick up additional opportunities like serving on a committee, participating in research, helping as a teaching assistant, etc. These provide students with additional skills that make them more competitive.
Matthew Blank Ph.D.: While a degree in biology provides our students with the background to excel in entry-level research, biotech, and educational positions, students oftentimes land positions that prepare themselves for advanced degree programs such as M.S., Ph.D., M.D., D.D.S, M.Ed., etc. A great position out of college is first of all, a position that the graduate finds rewarding and challenging. We encourage our graduates to consider research positions, project and/or grant management administrative jobs, STEM teaching/outreach positions, clinical and/or veterinary assistance, etc. Any position where the student utilizes their skills (both hard and soft) and is challenged is truly what matters most.

Tandra Chakraborty: The pandemic has hit hard, very hard on students in higher-ed. Due to COVID-19, 13% of students have delayed graduation, 40% have lost a job, internship, or job offer, and 29% expect to earn less at age 35. But, I still think that the pandemic era graduates will come out stronger within the next two years and will have a great vision for future years. We have all learned how to live minimalistically, acknowledge social norms, and have grown to understand the importance of college and university lives.
Tandra Chakraborty: Good job' is a very relative term. One student may find one job as good and the other not. As far as I am concerned about a good job (not a dream job), I can afford livelihood and still be passionate about the work-a delicate balance.
Tandra Chakraborty: I consider two things to help with earning potential: hard work and the other is vigilance. Even in this pandemic, some students have made a ton of money. You have to think outside of the box. Try to find ways to shape your credentials so that you make a path for future earnings.

Nicholas Oberlies Ph.D.: The entire world is affected by COVID. I'm sure that is true for Chemistry and Biochemistry majors. In the short term, it likely means that the students may be behind a semester. In addition, students likely lost opportunities for networking via canceled conferences. While virtual conferences were a nice bandaid, nothing replaces meeting people in person. This is probably especially true for graduate students.
For the long term, however, I believe the world is starting to recognize that science matters. Recently, I just read an article about one of the first biologists (Professor Tom Brock) to study bacteria in hydrothermal vents. He was doing this in the 1960s, and his basic research helped pave the way for the Nobel Prize winning work in the PCR and the life-saving work that is needed for COVID screening. This was an article about a basic scientist but published in USA Today. Not only does the public need to know more about what scientists are doing, I believe that the public seems to have a hunger for such knowledge. So, while the short term might look a little messy and less than ideal, perhaps the long term horizon for science will be improving.
Nicholas Oberlies Ph.D.: I think the ability to communicate your science, either/both in writing or in speaking, is critically important. It is no trick to talk over someone's head. It is easy to rattle off a bunch of abbreviations and confuse someone. The real skill is the ability to convey your science in a manner that allows people to understand. Even if the nuts and bolts of day-to-day research work is over their heads, conveying what you are doing and why it's important is critical. The most successful scientists work on honing such communication skills daily.
Ronald Boucher: As previously mentioned salaries on all levels are going to increase substantially especially for those whom have obtained a college degree in the hospitality field. The industry now recognizes that we have to improve the way that it has been doing business. Regaining customer confidence will take time but it will happen. Creating a safe, friendly and courteous environment will transcend the industry. Educated professionals will take the lead on this and help to re-establish consumer confidence and customer satisfaction. Personally, as a result of the pandemic I believe that it is safer to eat out now than it has been for decades. Proper use of sanitation and safety protocols are here to stay.

Yadilette Rivera-Colon Ph.D.: Yes, I believe graduates who start jobs during the pandemic will have many unexpected challenges that will allow them to grow in ways that others did not have to. They will be able to talk about overcoming obstacles that will be specific and they will be better prepared for anything that comes their way.
Yadilette Rivera-Colon Ph.D.: Actually, more than specific certifications/licenses/courses the biggest impact comes from being computer savvy, being responsible and having a good presence whether it is in person or remote. Of course, hands-on biotechnology courses are important as well as learning and knowing the most common techniques used in biotechnology. Not so much being proficient at them which is very important but also being able to read a protocol and perform it independently.
Yadilette Rivera-Colon Ph.D.: Salaries in biotechnology are on the rise by 4% to 8% (Northeastern Univ.). Most of our graduates get jobs right away and they are well paid. Specific positions like biomanufacturing, now with the great need of vaccines all over the world will have great growth in the near future.

Paul Trogen Ph.D.: The new "normal" will not be like the old normal. The virus may circulate for years (Daniela Hernandez and Drew Hinshaw, "Virus to Stay After Crisis Fades," Wall Street Journal, 1-8-2021 p. 1A). According to the census bureau, about two-thirds of civilian public sector jobs are in local government. Since local government revenues have fallen due to the closure of many small businesses, cash strapped governments may hire fewer entry-level employees this year. It may take longer to begin your career. If you must take a "lifeboat" job, pick something that will give you skills you can use in your intended career.