How to hire a microbiological laboratory technician

How to hire a microbiological laboratory technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step microbiological laboratory technician hiring guide:

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

What does a microbiological laboratory technician do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a microbiological laboratory technician, 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?

   Yes

   No

   A microbiological laboratory technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, microbiological laboratory technicians from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of microbiological laboratory technicians.

   Type of Microbiological Laboratory Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Microbiological Laboratory Technician	Biological technicians help biological and medical scientists conduct laboratory tests and experiments.	$13-24
   Research Chemist	A research chemist specializes in conducting studies and experiments to develop new products. Their duties primarily focus on conducting research and assessments, gathering and analyzing chemical samples, developing ideas, conducting tests to study chemical reactions, maintaining records of all procedures, and utilizing previous studies... Show more	$25-51
   Quality Control Chemist	A Quality Control Chemist uses chemistry lab skills to test and measure materials, usually in a manufacturing or pharmaceutical field. They analyze samples using scientific equipment, prepare study protocols, collect data, and identify and investigate abnormal test results.	$21-36

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Microbiology Lab
   • Laboratory Procedures
   • Aseptic Technique
   • Lab Equipment
   • Food Safety
   • Test Results
   • Media Preparation
   • Pathogens
   • Laboratory Tests
   • Food Products
   • GMP
   • Data Entry
   • Lims
   • Environmental Monitoring

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Job duties begin in a general microbiology/ infectious disease laboratory focuse on cultivating and managing infectious strains of microbes.
   • Interpret titration curves, nmr graphs, IR spectroscopy and GC graphs.
   • Prepare bacterial, fungus and yeast cell cultures used for GLP testing under FDA/EPA guidelines.
   • contract )--cut fabric for testing--run Laund-Orometer--ICP, AA, titration
   • Conduct schedule preventive maintenance and calibration of equipment (i.e., GC/MS, HPLC, GPC, pH meter).
   • Test in-house USP water samples for microbiological contamination.

   More microbiological laboratory technician duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the microbiological laboratory technician job description is a good way to get more applicants. A microbiological laboratory technician salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a microbiological laboratory technician in Montana may be lower than in Massachusetts, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level microbiological laboratory technician. Additionally, a microbiological laboratory technician with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average microbiological laboratory technician salary

   $38,713yearly

   $18.61 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level microbiological laboratory technician salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 27, 2025

   Average microbiological laboratory technician salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Massachusetts	$51,482	$25
   2	Connecticut	$49,194	$24
   3	California	$48,167	$23
   4	New Jersey	$45,925	$22
   5	New York	$45,782	$22
   6	Rhode Island	$43,102	$21
   7	Illinois	$43,057	$21
   8	Pennsylvania	$40,148	$19
   9	Wisconsin	$39,523	$19
   10	Ohio	$38,264	$18
   11	Oregon	$37,757	$18
   12	Iowa	$37,041	$18
   13	Minnesota	$37,030	$18
   14	Colorado	$36,525	$18
   15	Michigan	$36,265	$17
   16	Texas	$34,456	$17
   17	Kansas	$32,572	$16
   18	Alabama	$28,569	$14
   19	Indiana	$28,367	$14

   Average microbiological laboratory technician salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	AstraZeneca	$58,239	$28.00	1
   2	Zoetis	$55,045	$26.46	4
   3	Gillette	$53,415	$25.68
   4	AbbVie	$52,479	$25.23	13
   5	UC Santa Barbara	$51,083	$24.56
   6	University of California-Berkeley	$50,490	$24.27
   7	T2 Biosystems	$43,188	$20.76
   8	Mérieux NutriSciences	$42,762	$20.56	21
   9	University of Iowa Center for Advancement	$42,363	$20.37	100
   10	University of Wisconsin System	$42,216	$20.30	9
   11	Foster Farms	$41,759	$20.08
   12	Eisenhower Medical Center	$41,483	$19.94
   13	General Dynamics	$40,749	$19.59	1
   14	Varian Medical Systems	$40,452	$19.45
   15	HSS	$40,126	$19.29
   16	Mount Sinai Health System	$39,861	$19.16	33
   17	NCH Healthcare System	$39,705	$19.09	11
   18	Clinical Management Consultants	$39,456	$18.97
   19	Leprino Foods	$39,336	$18.91	2
   20	Children's of Alabama	$39,121	$18.81	4

4. Writing a microbiological laboratory technician job description

   A good microbiological laboratory technician job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a microbiological laboratory technician job description:

   Microbiological laboratory technician job description example

   Come join our family! Microbac Laboratories is an essential business offering competitive pay and benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, generous paid time off including vacation, holidays and flex-time, a wellness program, referral bonus, tuition reimbursement and more!
   
   Whether you are just starting your career in science or looking to further it, Microbac will put you on the path of an exciting career with room to grow. Quality, safety, giving back to our communities, diversity and inclusion, customer success and employee wellbeing are part of our core culture. We are looking for motivated individuals to join our family as a
   
   Microbac serves our clients with the utmost expertise and respect for their market requirements, constraints and challenges. We embody a company-wide commitment to exceptional customer experience, which has been refined over nearly 50 years of trusted, analytical and measurement experience.
   
   Through our network of laboratories, offices, and field services, we have the flexibility to meet the unique requirements for each client, project and scope.
   
   As a privately held third-party testing company, Microbac operates with a commitment to safety, quality and compliance. Our diverse work portfolio includes broad accreditation offerings and tested insights across the environmental, food and life science markets.
   
   The Lab Technician, working in an accredited commercial microbiology laboratory, is responsible for performing various laboratory functions such as preparing media and/or samples of a variety of sample types for analysis, performing routine laboratory maintenance efforts, and is responsible for basic set up and operation of laboratory instrumentation and equipment to support exceptional Customer Experience (CX). The samples to be analyzed may drinking water, wastewater, and / or Food samples. Once training is complete (usually 1 or 2 months), the schedule for this position will be Sunday - Thursday (off on Fri & Sat). The usual work hours are from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM with some flexibility on these exact hours.
   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Following established SOP’s, Laboratory Technicians ensure customer satisfaction by supporting laboratory staff through executing various entry level laboratory duties, resulting in the timely and accurate reporting of data Gather appropriate materials needed to prepare and analyze test samples Must be able to follow good aseptic laboratory techniques when preparing media and / or analyzing samples as to prevent cross contamination. Sample receipt, login, storage and disposal Prepare necessary standards, solutions, media, etc., that are required for sample analyses Perform basic equipment and instrumentation set up and operation Execute routine laboratory maintenance efforts, such as glassware cleaning and sterilization, and ensuring the laboratory is well maintained Accurately record observations and data Maintain accurate, up to date logs, notebooks and equipment records Perform necessary laboratory administrative functions such as filing paperwork, photocopying, reviewing of data, and entering data into computerized LIMS Comply with and promote Personnel, Safety, and Quality Program Other duties as assigned MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS High School Diploma Ability to work with small vials, test tubes and delicate laboratory equipment Ability to apply basic algebraic concepts to perform basic laboratory calculations and accurately measure substances, liquids and/or solutions Ability to read and apply established protocols and SOP’s to daily objectives Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal formats WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. Working Conditions: While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right microbiological laboratory technician for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your microbiological laboratory technician job on Zippia to find and recruit microbiological laboratory technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with microbiological laboratory technician candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 microbiological laboratory technician

   Once you've selected the best microbiological laboratory technician candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the 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.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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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