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

What is a process laboratory specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

A process laboratory specialist works in various industries, such as healthcare, science, and technology. They are responsible for conducting multiple laboratory processes, which vary depending on their industry and their nature of work.

In general, however, a process laboratory specialist may be in charge of collecting specimens, executing laboratory procedures, and conducting experiments under established conditions--all while following the laboratory's standard procedures and policies. In addition, they may also be responsible for maintaining laboratory equipment, monitoring inventory, ordering new supplies, and training new hires, among other various duties.

A process laboratory specialist must have a degree in their respective field, as well as proven experience working in a lab. Moreover, they must be knowledgeable about laboratory best practices, safety standards, laboratory equipment, and basic computer programs. In some cases, employers require a laboratory technician certification for this role.

Process laboratory specialists mostly work independently, usually on a regular 8-hour schedule, and with minimal interference from colleagues. On average, they earn $45,000 per year, which can increase with additional experience and proven expertise.

ScoreProcess Laboratory SpecialistUS Average

Salary

2.8

Avg. Salary $35,257

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.6

Growth rate -5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

9.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.80%

Asian 12.05%

Black or African American 10.26%

Hispanic or Latino 17.15%

Unknown 5.11%

White 54.62%

Gender

female 69.48%

male 30.52%

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 process laboratory specialist

Explore process laboratory specialist education requirements

Most common process laboratory specialist degrees

Bachelor's

37.9 %

Associate

27.0 %

High School Diploma

13.9 %

Start to develop specific process laboratory specialist skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	20.60%
Data Entry	8.78%
Medical Terminology	7.85%
Laboratory Specimens	6.98%
Clinical Laboratory	5.22%

Complete relevant process laboratory specialist training and internships

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

Research process laboratory specialist duties and responsibilities

Register patients and perform data entry.
Receive and process all laboratory specimens ensuring the patients demographics is correct.
Clean and sterilize instruments in accordance with OSHA standards.
Collect over 300 DNA & HIV specimens for annual military readiness training.

Prepare your process laboratory specialist resume

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

Choose from 10+ customizable process laboratory specialist resume templates

Build a professional process laboratory specialist 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 process laboratory specialist resume.