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How to hire a laboratory scientist

Laboratory scientist hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring laboratory scientists in the United States:

  • There are currently 10,125 laboratory scientists in the US, as well as 83,505 job openings.
  • Laboratory scientists are in the highest demand in Los Angeles, CA, with 119 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire a laboratory scientist is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new laboratory scientist to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a laboratory scientist, step by step

To hire a laboratory scientist, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a laboratory scientist, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step laboratory scientist hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a laboratory scientist job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new laboratory scientist
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a laboratory scientist do?

A laboratory scientist specializes in conducting research and experiments for a company or an academic institution. Their responsibilities primarily revolve around gathering and labeling samples, documenting data and progress, reviewing results, and even maintaining the cleanliness of the laboratory and its apparatus. There are also instances when they have to collaborate with other scientists, report progress, and even contribute them to different publications. Furthermore, a laboratory scientist may supervise less experienced colleagues, all while implementing the safety policies and regulations of the laboratory to maintain a safe and productive work environment.

Learn more about the specifics of what a laboratory scientist does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a laboratory scientist, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect laboratory scientist also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    This list shows salaries for various types of laboratory scientists.

    Type of Laboratory ScientistDescriptionHourly rate
    Laboratory ScientistMedical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They often use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.$22-44
    Research FellowA research fellow is an academic researcher who conducts research and analysis of comprehensive literature, data, and results and provides literature reviews. He/She supervises research assistants and recruits study participants to interview them for a particular study... Show more$18-34
    ChemistChemists are generally responsible for observing and investigating chemical substances to create new and safe compounds essential for practical applications. They are often grouped depending on a particular area of specialization to focus and understand the complexities of the matter... Show more$22-43
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Chemistry
    • ASCP
    • Laboratory Procedures
    • Test Results
    • Data Collection
    • Molecular Biology
    • CLIA
    • Proficiency Testing
    • Immunology
    • Stem Cells
    • Public Health
    • Data Analysis
    • Flow Cytometry
    • Lab Equipment
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
    • Perform tests in all sections of the clinical laboratory including chemistry, hematology and microbiology.
    • Assure compliance with OSHA, PROSHA, EPA, USP and GMP's as well as corporate policies.
    • Acquire basic knowledge of GC/MS and LC/MS
    • Accession samples into a LIMS for tracking and reporting.
    • Partner with LIMS administrator for the development of tests in StarLims database.
    More laboratory scientist duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your laboratory scientist job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A laboratory scientist salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, laboratory scientists' average salary in georgia is 59% less than in connecticut.
    • Seniority. Entry-level laboratory scientists earn 49% less than senior-level laboratory scientists.
    • Certifications. A laboratory scientist with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a laboratory scientist's salary.

    Average laboratory scientist salary

    $66,249yearly

    $31.85 hourly rate

    Entry-level laboratory scientist salary
    $47,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 19, 2025

    Average laboratory scientist salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$97,170$47
    2New Jersey$84,777$41
    3Massachusetts$81,441$39
    4Indiana$76,564$37
    5New York$75,123$36
    6Maryland$68,825$33
    7District of Columbia$68,373$33
    8Michigan$66,074$32
    9Pennsylvania$65,782$32
    10Tennessee$64,179$31
    11Virginia$62,420$30
    12Wisconsin$61,485$30
    13New Hampshire$61,008$29
    14North Carolina$60,029$29
    15Wyoming$55,735$27
    16Missouri$55,524$27
    17Colorado$54,497$26
    18Iowa$54,461$26
    19Ohio$54,333$26
    20Texas$52,808$25

    Average laboratory scientist salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Microsoft$131,602$63.27177
    2Aramco Services Company$119,064$57.24
    3Amazon$111,987$53.84801
    4Adobe$106,935$51.4140
    5Eli Lilly and Company$97,405$46.8387
    6Micron Technology$95,665$45.994
    7U.S. Pharmacopeia$95,477$45.904
    8Hologic$94,734$45.554
    9Sandia National Labs$89,709$43.134
    10Ridgecrest Regional Hospital$85,035$40.88
    11Gilead Sciences$83,087$39.95100
    12ABB$79,285$38.127
    13Palomar Health$76,281$36.676
    14HRL Laboratories$75,300$36.208
    15Messiah College$74,589$35.861
    16Buck Institute for Research on Aging$71,456$34.354
    17US MED$71,137$34.20
    18Tenet Healthcare$70,710$34.00165
    19Quest Diagnostics$70,227$33.76429
    20Amphastar Pharmaceuticals$69,677$33.50
  4. Writing a laboratory scientist job description

    A laboratory scientist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a laboratory scientist job description:

    Laboratory scientist job description example

    Medical Technologist (MT), Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) or equivalent certification by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) required or registry eligible and obtained within 1 year of hire date.

    Completion of medical technology training required.

    Experience in a clinical laboratory preferred.

    ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

    1. Knows, understands, incorporates, and demonstrates the Organization's Mission, Vision, and Values in behaviors, practices, and decisions .

    2. Demonstrates knowledge and compliance with all departmental policies and procedures relevant to the scope of activities including safety policies.

    Performs, records and reviews scheduled QC. Takes immediate corrective action when QC data is outside established limits.

    Performs and records routine maintenance of equipment. Recognizes and documents poor instrument performance and takes appropriate action independently.

    Verifies specimen labeling, integrity and suitability before performing testing.

    Accurately performs low, medium and high complexity testing procedures according to established protocols and regulatory requirements.

    Reports test results accurately and appropriately. Reports critical test results to physician, nursing station or physician office according to established protocol.

    Ability to prioritize work to maintain maximum efficiency. Uses spare time to assist other areas as needed.

    Performs phlebotomy when needed according to laboratory policies and procedures.

    Monitors supply inventory and takes appropriate action to ensure that needed supplies are readily available.

    Reviews work performed by clinical laboratory assistants. Performs corrective actions if required.

    Performs expected tasks without direction of supervisor.


    Ensures accuracy of work being reported by assigned department. Examines review lists, pending logs and the like. Resolves problems immediately and communicates with oncoming shift, nurses/physicians as appropriate. Works independently and troubleshoots analyzers by calling tech support, etc.

    About Boise, ID:

    Idaho's capital city (and third largest city in the Pacific Northwest!) is located in the high desert of southwestern Idaho, right on the Boise River. Offering a stellar quality life, Boise also features a vibrant and urban downtown, cultural and culinary experiences, and a wealth of entertainment options. Boasting over 200 days of sunny weather each year, recreational opportunities abound - most notably the 25 mile-long Boise River Greenbelt, which links together a series of beautiful public parks and the Boise Foothills, which offers an interconnected network of roads and trails through the hills.

    Consistently high ranking on various top ten lists relating to safety, affordability and work-life balance, it's easy to see why Boise is the place to be.

    Colleagues of Saint Alphonsus Health System enjoy c ompetitive compensation with a full benefits package and opportunity for growth throughout SAHS and Trinity Health.

    Visit to learn more about the benefits, culture and career development opportunities available to you at Saint Alphonsus Health System.

    Saint Alphonsus and Trinity Health are committed to promoting diversity in its workforce and to providing an inclusive work environment where everyone is treated with fairness, dignity and respect. We are committed to recruit and retain a diverse staff reflective of the communities we serve.

    Saint Alphonsus and Trinity Health are equal opportunity employers and prohibit discrimination against any individual with regard to race, color, religion, gender, marital status, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

    Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

    Trinity Health is a family of 115,000 colleagues and nearly 26,000 physicians and clinicians across 25 states. Because we serve diverse populations, our colleagues are trained to recognize the cultural beliefs, values, traditions, language preferences, and health practices of the communities that we serve and to apply that knowledge to produce positive health outcomes. We also recognize that each of us has a different way of thinking and perceiving our world and that these differences often lead to innovative solutions.

    Our dedication to diversity includes a unified workforce (through training and education, recruitment, retention, and development), commitment and accountability, communication, community partnerships, and supplier diversity.

  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find laboratory scientists for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your laboratory scientist job on Zippia to find and recruit laboratory scientist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit laboratory scientists, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new laboratory scientist

    Once you've decided on a perfect laboratory scientist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new laboratory scientist. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a laboratory scientist?

Before you start to hire laboratory scientists, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire laboratory scientists pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

Laboratory scientists earn a median yearly salary is $66,249 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find laboratory scientists for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $22 and $44.

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