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Job outlook for mechanical laboratory technicians in the United States
Are mechanical laboratory technician jobs in demand?
Mechanical laboratory technician job and salary trends over time
Mechanical laboratory technician jobs over time
Mechanical laboratory technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 209 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 213 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 213 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 210 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 211 | 0.00% |
Average mechanical laboratory technician salary over time
Mechanical laboratory technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $43,949 | $21.13 | +2.8% |
| 2025 | $42,754 | $20.55 | --0.7% |
| 2024 | $43,062 | $20.70 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $41,993 | $20.19 | +2.0% |
| 2022 | $41,184 | $19.80 | --0.1% |
Mechanical laboratory technician jobs by state
Most common states for mechanical laboratory technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 354 | 26% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,412 | 21% |
| 3 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 183 | 21% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 146 | 21% |
| 5 | Alaska | 739,795 | 146 | 20% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,036 | 19% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 114 | 18% |
| 8 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 891 | 15% |
| 9 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 470 | 15% |
| 10 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 427 | 15% |
| 11 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 981 | 14% |
| 12 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 791 | 14% |
| 13 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 183 | 14% |
| 14 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 976 | 13% |
| 15 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 750 | 13% |
| 16 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,210 | 12% |
| 17 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,100 | 12% |
| 18 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 706 | 12% |
| 19 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 258 | 12% |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,459 | 11% |
Most common cities for mechanical laboratory technicians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Providence | 1 | 2% | $49,628 |
| 2 | Cedar Rapids | 1 | 1% | $36,150 |
| 3 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $57,269 |
Mechanical Laboratory Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of mechanical laboratory technician experts
Palm Beach State College
The University of New Hampshire's Central Science
What type of skills will young Mechanical Laboratory Technicians 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 Mechanical Laboratory Technician 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.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Mechanical Laboratory Technicians?
Glen P. Miller: Yes, there will be many enduring impacts. Office spaces and buildings will be devalued somewhat, while remote work and virtual meetings have become and will remain important. In chemistry and tangential fields, there will always be a need for in-person work in specialized laboratories, but the manner in which we communicate results internally and externally has changed. There will be less emphasis on in-person communication and a greater emphasis on remote and electronic communication, including email and video reports/presentations. Business travel will drop while skills that enable effective electronic communication will play an even larger role than they already do. Writing skills, including but not limited to technical writing, will become an increasingly valued characteristic of top employees. An ability to speak in a clear, articulate manner will also be prized. None of this, however, supersedes the need for graduates with a robust background in chemistry and a strong work ethic to match.