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.

What qualifications do you need to be a research assistant?

The qualifications you need to be a research assistant are a bachelor's degree (or in the process of earning one) and a keen interest in the research process. The duties of a research assistant can vary throughout the life of a research project. In the early stages, you may be required to look for grants or funding opportunities. Many research projects cannot be undertaken without funding from an overseeing body such as a government department, research council, or private company.

What skills do you need to be a lab assistant?

The skills needed to be a lab assistant include the right combination of technical skills related to data collection and analysis and soft skills such as communication and attention to detail.

What is a laboratory research assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Friedbert Ninow Ph.D.,

Daniel Patten Ph.D.

A laboratory research assistant is an individual who supports scientists and researchers in their work by carrying out experiments and conducting tests in a laboratory setting. They typically hold bachelorâ€™s degrees and are responsible for preparing equipment and materials, collecting and analyzing data, and ensuring that experiments are conducted safely and accurately. They must have strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

What general advice would you give to a laboratory research assistant?

Friedbert Ninow Ph.D.

Dean, La Sierra University

A degree in theological and ministerial studies (or more generally in Religious Studies) does not necessarily have to lead into pastoral ministry. There are many opportunities where a Religion degree is a good foundation: Chaplaincy (e.g., Hospital, Army, Jail, etc.), Politics & Society, Journalism, Health Sciences, Arts, etc.

General advice: Let your heart speak first, not possible career chances or salary perspectives, etc. (I understand that this is important, too).

ScoreLaboratory Research AssistantUS Average

Salary

2.9

Avg. Salary $36,537

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.5

Growth rate 17%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.03%

Asian 16.57%

Black or African American 8.52%

Hispanic or Latino 15.20%

Unknown 6.01%

White 52.67%

Gender

female 53.82%

male 46.18%

Age - 35

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 - 35

Stress level

4.5

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.8

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

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

Pros

Exposure to cutting-edge technology and research
Opportunity to work with renowned scientists and researchers
Chance to make significant contributions to scientific discoveries
Valuable experience for pursuing further education in science
Develops transferable skills such as analytical thinking, problem-solving, and attention to detail

Cons

Repetitive tasks and tedious work
Long hours, including weekends and holidays
Low pay relative to educational level and responsibilities
High pressure to produce results within tight deadlines
Limited opportunities for career advancement without additional education or degree

Key steps to become a laboratory research assistant

Explore laboratory research assistant education requirements

Most common laboratory research assistant degrees

Bachelor's

78.0 %

Master's

11.1 %

Associate

5.2 %

Start to develop specific laboratory research assistant skills

Skills	Percentages
Data Collection	5.23%
Patients	5.03%
Laboratory Equipment	5.00%
Lab Procedures	4.83%
Laboratory Techniques	4.71%

Complete relevant laboratory research assistant training and internships

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

Research laboratory research assistant duties and responsibilities

Manage participant records according to IRB guidelines to ensure confidentiality.
Lead experiments to assess survivor behavior differences in zebrafish contaminate with dietary mercury.
Maintain microbial culture and isolate and purify bacterial and viral DNA and RNA to study the genome of common pathogenic bacteria.
Perform protein extraction on larvae.

Prepare your laboratory research assistant resume

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

Build a professional laboratory research assistant 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 research assistant resume.

Apply for laboratory research assistant jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a laboratory research assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

Average laboratory research assistant salary

The average laboratory research assistant salary in the United States is $36,537 per year or $18 per hour. Laboratory research assistant salaries range between $24,000 and $53,000 per year.

Average laboratory research assistant salary

$36,537 Yearly

$17.57 hourly

How do laboratory research assistants rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Laboratory research assistant reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019

Pros

I like to explore more in community health related field and benefit the future generations from avoidable diseases and help them with information related to health aspects.

Cons

None

A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019

Pros

What I like is that,you get to interact with different people from various communities.Relationships are formed in the process

Cons

Language barrier can be a problem,because communication needs to be formed in the language that each community you interact with understands.

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019

Pros

work in any field in environment science , like assistant pollution status

Cons

nothing

What is a laboratory research assistant and how to become one

What general advice would you give to a laboratory research assistant?

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

Laboratory research assistant career paths

Key steps to become a laboratory research assistant

Explore laboratory research assistant education requirements

Most common laboratory research assistant degrees

Start to develop specific laboratory research assistant skills

Complete relevant laboratory research assistant training and internships

Research laboratory research assistant duties and responsibilities

Prepare your laboratory research assistant resume

Choose from 10+ customizable laboratory research assistant resume templates

Apply for laboratory research assistant jobs

How did you land your first laboratory research assistant job

Average laboratory research assistant salary

How do laboratory research assistants rate their job?

Laboratory research assistant reviews

Laboratory research assistant FAQs

How long does it take to be a laboratory assistant?

How much do laboratory assistants make?

What qualifications do you need to be a research assistant?

What skills do you need to be a lab assistant?

Search for laboratory research assistant jobs