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What is a laboratory support technician and how to become one
A laboratory support technician performs a variety of technical and administrative tasks at a clinical laboratory or medical facility. As a laboratory support technician, your duties involve collecting samples, inspecting incoming specimens for accuracy or quality, and tracking the receipt of samples.
Their main duties include performing different routine methods to collect, receive and process lab requisitions and samples. They are also involved in the performance of technical processes, including technical and data entry duties and the evaluation of incoming specimen shipments for integrity, condition, and accurate documentation.
Their duties also involve managing sample inventory along with implementing destruction requests, among others. Educational requirements include an associate's degree, most preferably in clinical laboratory technology or medical laboratory technology program. In addition, candidates must either have or be willing to obtain national accreditation.
The average hourly salary for a traditional workweek is $15.48, which amounts to over $32,000 yearly. The career is projected to grow substantially in the future, creating various opportunities across the United States medical field.
What general advice would you give to a laboratory support technician?
Benjamin Ford
Professor and Chair, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Avg. Salary $36,799
Avg. Salary $59,228
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.82%
Asian 10.90%
Black or African American 9.86%
Hispanic or Latino 17.42%
Unknown 5.43%
White 55.57%
Genderfemale 54.63%
male 45.37%
Age - 44American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 44Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
Laboratory support technician career paths
Key steps to become a laboratory support technician
Explore laboratory support technician education requirements
Start to develop specific laboratory support technician skills
Skills Percentages Patients 15.76% Phlebotomy 12.60% Customer Service 10.62% Laboratory Procedures 6.48% Patient Care 5.55% Complete relevant laboratory support technician training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New laboratory support technicians 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 support technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real laboratory support technician resumes.Research laboratory support technician duties and responsibilities
- Manage company LIMS database system of test results and implement new and improve testing procedures.
- Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
- Improve preparation technique of media and reagents utilizing QC and GMP experience.
- Run, QC, and report PCR and EIA testing.
Prepare your laboratory support technician resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your laboratory support technician 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 support technician 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 support technician resume templates
Build a professional laboratory support technician 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 support technician resume.
Apply for laboratory support technician jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a laboratory support technician 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
How did you land your first laboratory support technician job
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Average laboratory support technician salary
The average laboratory support technician salary in the United States is $36,799 per year or $18 per hour. Laboratory support technician salaries range between $26,000 and $50,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do laboratory support technicians rate their job?
Laboratory support technician reviews
I really like everything about being a Medical Technologist. Is a great profession
Updated January 8, 2025
