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

What is a molecular laboratory technologist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Katherine Nelson MBA, MLS (ASCP)

The main purpose of molecular laboratories is to develop and perform molecular diagnostic tests for nucleic acid targets. Molecular laboratory technicians are the ones making this possible. They are responsible for collecting samples, testing specimens, and analyzing the results. The tests that molecular laboratory technicians conduct benefit various areas of medicine, including genetics, infectious disease, and hematopathology.

Aside from their main duties in the lab, molecular laboratory technicians also maintain data analysis records, record data in a digital information system, maintain lab equipment, and communicate with other professionals. Moreover, they may also be responsible for maintaining lab equipment and monitoring the inventory of lab supplies.

Most molecular laboratory technicians have a bachelor's degree in a related science degree, but having a master's degree can increase job placement and earning potential. Aside from a high education requirement, laboratories also look for technicians that have good skills in time management, research, analysis, critical thinking, and multi-tasking.

On average, molecular laboratory technicians earn around $42,000 a year. They work in relatively comfortable laboratory environments and typically have a forty-hour week schedule.

What general advice would you give to a molecular laboratory technologist?

Katherine Nelson MBA, MLS (ASCP)

Clinical Assistant Professor, Website

Skills that I foresee as becoming important in the 3-5 years include the ability to work with a variety of technology, strong communication skills between other laboratory and healthcare professionals and the ability adapt to change quickly.

ScoreMolecular Laboratory TechnologistUS Average

Salary

4.0

Avg. Salary $51,239

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity

8.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.82%

Asian 14.14%

Black or African American 10.30%

Hispanic or Latino 16.27%

Unknown 5.43%

White 53.04%

Gender

female 66.06%

male 33.94%

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

9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.6

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a molecular laboratory technologist

Explore molecular laboratory technologist education requirements

Most common molecular laboratory technologist degrees

Bachelor's

77.3 %

Master's

14.7 %

Associate

6.0 %

Start to develop specific molecular laboratory technologist skills

Skills	Percentages
Next-Generation Sequencing	17.55%
Clinical Laboratory	10.55%
Molecular Biology	7.16%
Control Procedures	6.67%
Extraction	6.18%

Complete relevant molecular laboratory technologist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New molecular laboratory technologists 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 molecular laboratory technologist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real molecular laboratory technologist resumes.

Research molecular laboratory technologist duties and responsibilities

Operate and manage standard quality control on laboratory equipment as well as some specialize equipment for serology studies.
Perform routine clinical tests on several enzymatic tests for galactosemia disease using paper chromatography - radiation imaging detection, spectrophotometry.
Interview and hire new employees.verse in HIPAA regulations to protect patient confidentiality.

Prepare your molecular laboratory technologist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your molecular laboratory technologist 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 molecular laboratory technologist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable molecular laboratory technologist resume templates

Build a professional molecular laboratory technologist 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 molecular laboratory technologist resume.