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Job outlook for laboratory specialists in the United States
Laboratory specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected laboratory specialist job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 83,100 new jobs for laboratory specialists are projected over the next decade.
Laboratory specialist salaries have increased 7% for laboratory specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 76,267 laboratory specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 68,634 active laboratory specialist job openings in the US.
The average laboratory specialist salary is $50,357.
Are laboratory specialist jobs in demand?
Laboratory specialist job and salary trends over time
Laboratory specialist jobs over time
Laboratory specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 76,267 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 78,047 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 77,999 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 76,850 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 77,128 | 0.02% |
Average laboratory specialist salary over time
Laboratory specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $50,357 | $24.21 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $48,988 | $23.55 | --0.7% |
| 2023 | $49,342 | $23.72 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $48,116 | $23.13 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | $47,189 | $22.69 | +0.9% |
Laboratory specialist jobs by state
Most common states for laboratory specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 452 | 34% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 205 | 33% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,052 | 30% |
| 4 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 912 | 29% |
| 5 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 247 | 28% |
| 6 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 358 | 27% |
| 7 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 174 | 25% |
| 8 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 184 | 24% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 174 | 24% |
| 10 | Delaware | 961,939 | 220 | 23% |
| 11 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,234 | 22% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 229 | 22% |
| 13 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,380 | 21% |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,530 | 20% |
| 15 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,210 | 20% |
| 16 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 213 | 20% |
| 17 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 116 | 20% |
| 18 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,874 | 19% |
| 19 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,728 | 19% |
| 20 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,286 | 19% |
Most common cities for laboratory specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burlington | 1 | 4% | $62,077 |
| 2 | East Palo Alto | 1 | 3% | $57,918 |
| 3 | Gadsden | 1 | 3% | $49,433 |
| 4 | Ames | 1 | 2% | $45,758 |
| 5 | Castle Rock | 1 | 2% | $53,334 |
| 6 | Council Bluffs | 1 | 2% | $46,116 |
| 7 | Tucson | 3 | 1% | $56,442 |
| 8 | Decatur | 1 | 1% | $39,432 |
| 9 | Los Angeles | 3 | 0% | $57,234 |
| 10 | San Diego | 2 | 0% | $56,885 |
| 11 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $44,654 |
| 12 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $52,053 |
| 13 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $62,214 |
| 14 | Charlotte | 1 | 0% | $43,460 |
| 15 | Fresno | 1 | 0% | $57,236 |
Laboratory Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of laboratory specialist experts
Northern Michigan University
University of South Florida
Weber State University
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Old Dominion University
The University of Akron
Siena College
Rutgers University - New Brunswick
Houston Baptist University
Adelphi University
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Bay Path University
Kettering University
Pennsylvania State University
Eastern Kentucky University
Missouri University of Science and Technology
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
University of New Mexico
Palm Beach State College
Martin Renaldi MT (ASCP), MPA
Assistant Professor / MLS Program DirectorNorthern Michigan University
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, And Treatment Professions
What general advice would you give to a Laboratory Specialist?
Martin Renaldi MT (ASCP), MPA: Experience. I have found through my time in the realm that an experienced lab tech is going to be highly sought after and henceforth will have optimal pay opportunities. As the word implies, experience can only be achieved through 'time in the lab' which means you have to put in your time to gather that resume boosting element, experience. Once that happens, then even more doors open up in the profession.
What Laboratory Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Martin Renaldi MT (ASCP), MPA: The skills that will be required in the lab tech milieu over the next 3-5 years are the same ones that are necessary now, which is what makes the lab tech profession so lucrative. Foundational laboratory skills are a must now and will be must in the future. Once the aspiring lab tech learns and masters the foundational work, such as lab math, pipetting, dilution schemes, titrating, proper glassware use and application, basic spectrophotometry, transformational weights and measures, microscopy, etc. then they'll be readily adaptable for employment in any laboratory setting.
What will help Laboratory Specialists increase their earning potential?
Martin Renaldi MT (ASCP), MPA: I would highly recommend that the newly graduated lab tech does not limit themself to a specific location or a specific vocation. The places to work and the types of jobs available are nearly limitless. If one thinks outside of the box, outside of the mainstream lab tech opportunities, they'll find a whole host of other intriguing possibilities. So, do not limit yourself, the world is your oyster, .......so to speak.
What Laboratory Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kendall Morris Ph.D.: It is a great profession to enter now see 4 below, but ONLY if you think that doing anything else would be a waste of your life. The education is too long, the work is too hard and time consuming for too little pay for much too long. As many have found, if you are a resident of one of the many less affluent countries, wish to come to the U.S., AND have the drive and a love for research, you are likely to be welcomed here. For the time being, anyway. Few young people in the U.S. are willing to go into research. When I entered grad school 1988, all of the professors in my department were U.S. born. Today, about two thirds are immigrants.
Dr. Janice Thomas
Professor and Program DirectorWeber State University
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Laboratory Specialist?
Dr. Janice Thomas: Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs) are an integral part of the healthcare team as seventy percent (70%) of diagnoses come from laboratory results. On a day-to-day basis, the duties of an MLT can include collecting and analyzing samples, maintaining laboratory equipment, and accurately recording results for medical providers to review and consider when diagnosing patients.
Dr. Luis Rogelio Cruz-Vera
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Alabama in Huntsville
Department of Biological Sciences
What skills stand out on Laboratory Specialist resumes?
Dr. Luis Rogelio Cruz-Vera: Good standing on biochemical concepts.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Laboratory Specialists?
Dr. Luis Rogelio Cruz-Vera: Pipetting, quantitative analysis, computer writing.
What skills will help Laboratory Specialists earn the most?
Dr. Luis Rogelio Cruz-Vera: Commitment.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Laboratory Specialists?
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.
What type of skills will young Laboratory Specialists need?
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.
What experience really stands out on Laboratory Specialist resumes?
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.
What's a good job out of college for Laboratory Specialists?
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.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Laboratory Specialists?
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.
What will help Laboratory Specialists increase their earning potential?
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.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Laboratory Specialists?
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.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Laboratory Specialists?
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.
What will help Laboratory Specialists increase their earning potential?
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.
What will help Laboratory Specialists increase their earning potential?
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.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Laboratory Specialists?
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.
What's a day at work look like for a Laboratory Specialist?
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.
Matthew Blank Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of BiologyHouston Baptist University
College of Science & Engineering
What will help Laboratory Specialists increase their earning potential?
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.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Laboratory Specialists?
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.
What's a good job out of college for Laboratory Specialists?
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.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Laboratory Specialists?
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.
What's a good job out of college for Laboratory Specialists?
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.
What will help Laboratory Specialists increase their earning potential?
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.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Laboratory Specialists?
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.
What will help Laboratory Specialists increase their earning potential?
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.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Laboratory Specialists?
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.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Laboratory Specialists?
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.
How have salaries changed over time for Laboratory Specialists?
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.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Laboratory Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Daniel Ludwigsen: In responding to this and other questions, I'm considering the perspective of graduates from my programs, with a bachelor's degree in Engineering Physics or Applied Physics. Most of our grads are looking at full-time positions in engineering, particularly R&D and product development, or consulting/project engineering directly with their employers' customers. In sectors that are in demand, these positions are seeing an accelerated shift in the ways of working-just like we see in most professions. Working at least a portion of the week at home, less travel, more video conferencing, all force employees to sharpen their essential skills in communication, project management, and basically, working with diverse teams.
What Laboratory Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Daniel Ludwigsen: Graduates from our programs often find that graduate degrees, masters, or even doctorates, fit into their career trajectories well. If I were advising a graduating senior considering a gap year, I would suggest a certificate program in a relevant field, such as programming, data science, or similar areas. While these incorporate broadly applicable skills as well as valuable disciplinary perspective, these certificate programs often offer credit that can later be applied toward a graduate degree.
What general advice would you give to a Laboratory Specialist?
Daniel Ludwigsen: If I'm talking with a graduate that is in the fortunate position to be weighing multiple opportunities, I emphasize the importance of work culture. This applies to graduate schools as well! If you are interviewing, and have a chance to evaluate the environment in which you'll be spending so much of your time and energy, try to pick up on the nonverbal "feel" of the place and the people there.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Laboratory Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Patrick Drohan Ph.D.: The market will rebound in a way similar to the 1920s following the Spanish Flu pandemic. Coupled with the administration shifts, students in science fields especially will be well-placed for quick hires. There is also an age cohort now moving in retirement that occupied a pretty large percentage of positions and those jobs are opening up to entry-level hires. We are starting to see some of that now.
What skills stand out on Laboratory Specialist resumes?
Patrick Drohan Ph.D.: The academic skills are very important, experience in academic clubs like soil judging or weed judging (your niche), but more important is a diversity of experience with working in labs while in school, having summer jobs tied to your career, etc. - working at Dairy Queen in your home town may not be the best idea anymore if you are trying to out-compete others for entry-level work, and frankly, there is plenty of work out there if you are willing to move.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Laboratory Specialists to find work opportunities?
Patrick Drohan Ph.D.: Depends on what they want to do, are they single, etc. If you are flexible and qualified you can land a job anywhere. If you are social, then moving to remote parts of Alaska might not be the best idea. If you are looking for a niche, having relative experience prior to applying will be important. There are lots of qualified candidates today who have impressive entry-level resumes. Women tend to be more qualified than men too.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Laboratory Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Tanea Reed Ph.D.: Although employment in the chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors are trending downward due to the current pandemic, the job outlook for chemists is promising. As there is high demand for laboratory technician positions to analyze COVID-19 samples using classical laboratory techniques. Many jobs are available for those with bachelor's and master's level degrees. Additionally, the need for those studying chemistry to work on potential treatments for the virus including other vaccines is great.
What Laboratory Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Tanea Reed Ph.D.: I would recommend gaining additional laboratory and/or research experience to enhance their skill set with new techniques. Individuals could do this by reaching out to principal investigators of research laboratories who are conducting research that they have an interest in. They can also start to build their network by reaching out to professional organizations such as the American Chemical Society and their university's alumni association. These relationships can possibly lead to future opportunities.
What general advice would you give to a Laboratory Specialist?
Dr. Tanea Reed Ph.D.: 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.
Dr. Rainer Glaser
Professor and ChairMissouri University of Science and Technology
Chemistry Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Laboratory Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Rainer Glaser: Steady demand for chemistry graduates at all levels of employment in industry and government. There has been a steady increase in the demand for chemists with expertise in instrumental trace analysis, and the pandemic accelerates the trend. On the academic ladder, everything slowed down to a crawl. Doctoral students need and take more time to graduate. Postdoctoral positions are harder to find. There are hardly any openings for faculty positions.
What skills stand out on Laboratory Specialist resumes?
Dr. Rainer Glaser: Chemistry competence is key, of course. As a close second, chemists need to demonstrate effective team player competence. Communication skills are essential, in conversation and in writing. Effective collaboration requires highly developed skills to work with team members, peers, and leadership.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Laboratory Specialists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Rainer Glaser: There are a few classic hubs of "big commodities chemistry" and "big pharma", for example. Interestingly, the chemistry enterprise constantly spawns new specializations and keeps getting more de-centralized with excellent employment opportunities in every state.
Christopher Bae Ph.D.
Professor, Department ChairUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa
Department of Anthropology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Laboratory Specialists?
Christopher Bae Ph.D.: Yes and no. Obviously, hiring in anthropology, like most academic fields, has become more difficult now because of the economic impact of COVID-19 worldwide. However, anthropology graduates are still managing to find job placement in postdoctoral research fellowships, cultural resource management firms, and non-governmental organizations. The applied areas of anthropology are where positions can still be found fairly regularly. Moving forward, however, I anticipate a rebound, like in most fields, of hires more broadly in anthropology.
What type of skills will young Laboratory Specialists need?
Christopher Bae Ph.D.: Several things really make a resume stand out when hitting the job market. First and foremost, experience in the field and/or laboratory and the ability to show that one is capable of starting a project from scratch and seeing it through to final completion (as evidenced from resulting conference presentations and publications). Undergraduate students should try to gain experience as interns and in field schools. This gives them some experience, and they get a chance to see whether the field is right for them. Graduate students need to develop advanced analytical skills as they work through their qualitative and quantitative datasets. Having a high grade point average can help as well if the hiring firm requests academic transcripts.
What experience really stands out on Laboratory Specialist resumes?
Christopher Bae Ph.D.: Field and laboratory experience, particularly involvement with projects that lead to eventual publications. Internships and field schools are great ways to get one's feet wet, so to speak.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Laboratory Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Benjamin Ford: The pandemic has laid bare many of the inequities in American societies. Suddenly many more citizens are 'woke'. As a discipline that has always excelled at critically analyzing human systems, Anthropology is well positioned to help Americans work in this new landscape. This will translate into more jobs for people with anthropological training. For example, the hospital systems will benefit from employing global health practitioners who have a broad view of healthcare and who are well versed in how to navigate health disparities. The infrastructure projects that will likely begin as the nation gets back on its feet will also need trained archaeologists to complete the cultural resource management requirements.
What Laboratory Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Benjamin Ford: Students taking a gap year should think about where they want to end up, both geographically and in terms of a career, and position themselves accordingly. That might mean moving to where they eventually want to live, taking a job to pay the bills, and volunteering with an organization to build local contacts. They should also work to develop the skills that will make them necessary in their intended career. The world became much more digital in the last nine months. We will likely return to many of our pre-pandemic physical practices, but aspects of our remote-everything existence will likely stick with us. Developing skills to be successful in a digital environment will be important.
What general advice would you give to a Laboratory Specialist?
Benjamin Ford: Students graduating this year have come through a life-changing year. I'd encourage them to embrace that change. Rather than putting this year behind them and moving on, I'd like graduates to reflect on what worked and didn't work in the past year, and use that reflection to improve themselves and the world. This could be as simple as continuing to hone the time management skills we were all forced to develop, or as large as working to dismantle one of the structural inequalities that became glaringly apparent as nations struggled with health and economy.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Laboratory Specialists?
Dr. Bruce Huckell Ph.D.: Yes, to some degree. For graduate students, the restrictions on travel and out-of-state research, as well as the closures of museums, all act to extend the length of time it will take to obtain their master's or doctoral degrees. For undergraduates, the limitations on in-person instruction may compromise the training in laboratory class settings; students may not learn as much if hands-on training is reduced or eliminated.
What type of skills will young Laboratory Specialists need?
Dr. Bruce Huckell Ph.D.: While the kinds of skills necessary for success aren't likely to change, how people learn those skills may shift to some extent from academic institutions to employers, again due to the pandemic.
What experience really stands out on Laboratory Specialist resumes?
Dr. Bruce Huckell Ph.D.: In terms of archaeology, for employers in the governmental and private sectors, I think experience in field work and laboratory analysis is what is most desired when considering folks with bachelor's degrees. In those same employment settings, master's and doctoral graduates who have good writing skills need the knowledge of appropriate legal regulations and museum methods and the ability to organize and supervise workers. In the academic realm, where a doctoral degree is needed in most instances, skills in research, teaching, and pubic/professional service are the key realms in which experience must stand out.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Laboratory Specialists?
Dr. Alexandra Gorgevska Ph.D.: Only time will tell. However, I feel that this pandemic has brought our students' and alumni's resilience and adaptability to the forefront. With most laboratories limiting the number of employees present, most are not taking on in-person interns at this time. However, they are working with our program to provide remote experiences for our students and provide invaluable support.
Our students have taken time to listen and research the science, found ways to overcome the adversities that have come their way and continue to have a positive outlook. The students in our program are following social distancing guidelines and adapting to the changing learning environments. I believe their resilience and resolve will only add to their successes in life and make them better scientists for it.
What type of skills will young Laboratory Specialists need?
Dr. Alexandra Gorgevska Ph.D.: Graduates [of all ages] will continue to need hands-on skills, the ability to work both in the group and individual settings, and, most importantly, be curious and teachable. Soft skills have taken on greater importance over the years, so we provide ongoing events for outreach, scientific communication, interview preparation, etc., to help provide students with ways to improve and grow their soft skills.
We are seeing scientific communications transitioning from in-person to remote settings, and our students are excelling at rising to the challenges. South Florida has a diverse life science career field, and our students continue to be well prepared to enter the job market and succeed in their career paths.
What experience really stands out on Laboratory Specialist resumes?
Dr. Alexandra Gorgevska Ph.D.: The Palm Beach State College Biotechnology Program is a very hands-on intensive training program that ensures our graduates are well versed in fundamental life science laboratory techniques and sterile/aseptic techniques and instrumentation skills. As part of our program, students can earn two College Credit Certificates along with an A.S. degree that includes an industry internship experience.
We are very fortunate to have an excellent relationship with our business partners who are familiar with our facilities, worked with us for many years, and are aware of the vast instrumentation and hands-on training our students receive. They continue to provide career opportunities for our students and interns.