How To Become A Laboratory Worker: What It Is and Career Path

What is a laboratory worker and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Tanea Reed Ph.D.,

Xenia Morin Ph.D.

The average laboratory worker salary is $31,998. The most common degree is a bachelor's degree degree with an biology major. It usually takes 6-12 months of experience to become a laboratory worker. Laboratory workers with a Engineer In Training Certification (EIT) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 9% and produce 7,700 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a laboratory worker?

Dr. Tanea Reed Ph.D.

Chair, Professor, Eastern Kentucky University

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.

ScoreLaboratory WorkerUS Average

Salary

2.5

Avg. Salary $31,998

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.6

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

9.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.83%

Asian 12.22%

Black or African American 10.44%

Hispanic or Latino 15.13%

Unknown 5.47%

White 55.91%

Gender

female 54.16%

male 45.84%

Age - 44

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 - 44

Stress level

6.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

8.7

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a laboratory worker

Explore laboratory worker education requirements

Most common laboratory worker degrees

Bachelor's

63.3 %

High School Diploma

15.8 %

Associate

12.9 %

Start to develop specific laboratory worker skills

Skills	Percentages
Lab Equipment	54.80%
Photoshop	4.41%
Lab Procedures	4.36%
Chemistry Lab	2.97%
Lab Computers	2.75%

Complete relevant laboratory worker training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New laboratory workers 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 worker based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real laboratory worker resumes.

Research laboratory worker duties and responsibilities

Create Powerpoint presentation on work accomplish and present 15 minute speech on the findings to peers and faculty at USM.
Comfort frighten patients and maintain an exceptionally bright professional demeanor to accomplish a procedure that makes most people very uncomfortable.
Set denture teeth, process and finish removable partial dentures.
Receive training on DNA extraction and classification as well as tissue imaging

Prepare your laboratory worker resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your laboratory worker resume.

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Choose from 10+ customizable laboratory worker resume templates

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