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Job outlook for sample prep technicians in the United States
Sample prep technician job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected sample prep technician job growth rate is 7% from 2018-2028.
About 1,100 new jobs for sample prep technicians are projected over the next decade.
Sample prep technician salaries have increased -2% for sample prep technicians in the last 5 years.
There are over 5,247 sample prep technicians currently employed in the United States.
There are 63,971 active sample prep technician job openings in the US.
The average sample prep technician salary is $42,504.
Are sample prep technician jobs in demand?
Sample prep technician job and salary trends over time
Sample prep technician jobs over time
Sample prep technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,247 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 5,312 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 5,569 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,686 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,659 | 0.00% |
Average sample prep technician salary over time
Sample prep technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $42,504 | $20.43 | +0.4% |
| 2024 | $42,320 | $20.35 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $41,013 | $19.72 | --1.6% |
| 2022 | $41,698 | $20.05 | --4.0% |
| 2021 | $43,452 | $20.89 | +1.5% |
Sample prep technician jobs by state
Most common states for sample prep technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,787 | 26% |
| 2 | Alaska | 739,795 | 139 | 19% |
| 3 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 129 | 19% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 103 | 17% |
| 5 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 878 | 16% |
| 6 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 215 | 16% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 851 | 15% |
| 8 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 832 | 14% |
| 9 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 446 | 14% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 186 | 14% |
| 11 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 418 | 13% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 139 | 13% |
| 13 | Delaware | 961,939 | 121 | 13% |
| 14 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,216 | 12% |
| 15 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,047 | 12% |
| 16 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 782 | 12% |
| 17 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 726 | 12% |
| 18 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 2,284 | 11% |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,437 | 11% |
| 20 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 400 | 11% |
Most common cities for sample prep technicians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kearney | 1 | 3% | $34,821 |
| 2 | Mount Juliet | 1 | 3% | $35,350 |
| 3 | Minneapolis | 4 | 1% | $36,770 |
| 4 | Greeley | 1 | 1% | $34,829 |
| 5 | San Diego | 3 | 0% | $42,395 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $36,647 |
| 7 | Charlotte | 1 | 0% | $40,978 |
| 8 | Huntington Beach | 1 | 0% | $42,221 |
| 9 | New Orleans | 1 | 0% | $40,328 |
| 10 | Phoenix | 1 | 0% | $40,705 |
| 11 | Santa Ana | 1 | 0% | $42,088 |
Sample Prep Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of sample prep technician experts
Columbus State University
Beloit College
Howard University, College of Medicine
Ripon College
California Polytechnic State University- San Luis Obispo
Pennsylvania State University
University at Albany, State University of New York
Chatham University
Eastern Kentucky University
Missouri University of Science and Technology
University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Akron
Palm Beach State College
University of Central Missouri
Elizabethtown College
University of Arizona
Southeastern Louisiana University
The University of New Hampshire's Central Science
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Sample Prep Technicians?
Dr. Monica Frazier: Depends on the job.
What's a good job out of college for Sample Prep Technicians?
Tawnya Cary Ph.D.: Regardless of the position's title, a 'good' job is one that helps a graduate learn skills that they can apply to their future career. The job might be a short-term internship or technician position that gives them hands-on field or laboratory experience, or it might be something that helps them learn how to interact effectively with the public. I don't think there is one job title that meets this goal; rather graduates should learn how to transfer skills from all of their experiences such that they can apply them moving forward.
What type of skills will young Sample Prep Technicians need?
Dr. Janine Ziermann: The trend to be hyperflexible was already starting before the pandemic and became even more emphasized during the pandemic. Future workforce, both academic and research, will be required to think on their feet, learn to adapt immediately when unforeseen events occur, and be able to navigate a multitude of programs (teaching, collaboration, analyses, etc.). Being constantly aware of trends in teaching is a plus for all that apply for positions at universities.
Current and future graduate students have already proven to be resilient, a key skill that must continue. Clear communication is more important than ever with the increasing number of international students in graduate programs and international research collaborators necessary to complete vital areas of research for publications, grants, presentations, etc. Overall, graduate students should note what things they liked and disliked during their time in their respective program courses. They can then choose to keep some aspects and modify others when they are hired as faculty members, research post-docs, or research faculty in the next stages of their careers.
What experience really stands out on Sample Prep Technician resumes?
Benjamin Grady Ph.D.: As I mentioned previously, demonstrating a broad range of experiences, skills, and abilities seems attractive to employers. College is more than just being present in the classroom and earning grades. In the field of biology, having hands-on research experience as an undergraduate really sticks out on resumes and CVs. Oftentimes these research experiences can open doors to admission into graduate programs or landing a job in the laboratory research field. Involvement in student groups, clubs, and other campus organizations can also make a difference when being evaluated for job opportunities and admission into advanced programs.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Sample Prep Technician job market given the pandemic?
Pat Fidopiastis Ph.D.: My research on the association between a beneficial marine bacterium and a species of squid ground to a halt during the pandemic. However, it took very little effort to convert my molecular-oriented lab to the headquarters for SARS CoV2 wastewater surveillance at my university. In order to pull this off, additional skill sets needed to be developed quickly. For example, my graduate student needed to learn how to operate wastewater auto samplers and follow more rigorous safety protocols. By making this switch, money became available for salaries, equipment, and supplies, allowing me to continue to operate my lab. My own experience is playing out across the entire biotech industry. The pandemic has forced companies to come up with strategies for becoming more nimble to handle rapidly changing circumstances.
Not surprisingly, the pandemic has invigorated vaccine and drug development, including repurposing older drugs, rapid diagnostic tools, gene editing in disease treatment and prevention, nucleic acid sequencing, immune therapy, and bioinformatics, among other pursuits. Companies with expertise in these technologies and the ability to quickly adapt them to emerging problems will always be among the winners. For example, Johnson & Johnson developed a vaccine platform for Ebola that was seamlessly adapted for use against SARS CoV2. As a result, they were able to quickly bring their vaccine to Phase 3 clinical trials and secure a promised payday of one billion dollars for a safe and effective vaccine.
What skills stand out on Sample Prep Technician resumes?
Patrick Drohan Ph.D.: The academic skills are very important, experience in academic clubs like soil judging or weed judging (your niche), but more important is a diversity of experience with working in labs while in school, having summer jobs tied to your career, etc. - working at Dairy Queen in your home town may not be the best idea anymore if you are trying to out-compete others for entry-level work, and frankly, there is plenty of work out there if you are willing to move.
What skills stand out on Sample Prep Technician resumes?
Douglas Conklin Ph.D.: The main skill that always stands out is research experience. Taking what you've learned in the classroom and applying it to a real-world problem is invaluable - and it's never too early to start. Research skills are highly transferable. Experience with thinking that is both objective and creative is useful in many fields - not just biology research. A recent study by the National Institute of Health concluded that obtaining an advanced degree in a research-based field is worth $1 million in additional earnings over your career - whether you stay in research or not. Being able to identify, understand and solve problems are skills that all organizations want their team members to have.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Sample Prep Technicians to find work opportunities?
Douglas Conklin Ph.D.: The good news is that there seem to be more and more positions in biological fields every year. There are opportunities in many locations. I often counsel students I know to think about the possibility of needing a plan B when considering where to work. Moving to an area of the country that has a concentration of organizations in your field will mean that you won't have to move if you want to change jobs - or are forced to do so. Since many people's lives get more complicated as they get older - spouses, children, other family - working in a part of the country that has a concentration of organizations in your field may make it less disruptive in the future. It often makes it easier to network with people in your field if they work down the street.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Sample Prep Technician job market given the pandemic?
John Dubé Ph.D.: I think the job market for students with a graduate degree in biology is very promising. With a Master's degree, students can teach at the Community College level as either adjunct instructors or full-time instructors, they could also teach at larger institutions, like Chatham, as adjuncts for lecture courses or laboratory sections. There are jobs in the pharmaceutical industry as technicians or junior scientists. Other industry jobs include work in ecology, software engineering, bioinformatics. Finally, there are positions in healthcare that overlap many of the potential jobs I've already listed.
One of the biggest trends is the capacity to work remotely and to obtain specific skills (i.e., data management).
What skills stand out on Sample Prep Technician resumes?
John Dubé Ph.D.: In terms of resumes, students need to demonstrate the soft skills. How did they use networking skills in school or at a job? How do they communicate effective, verbally and in writing? In what ways did their coursework or job help with critical thinking? Teamwork, a positive attitude, and leadership skills are also critically important. I also think that employers will want them to have the technical skill necessary to transition into a position (e.g., Zoom, Teams, word processing, spreadsheet management, and others specific to the particular field).
What Sample Prep Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Tanea Reed Ph.D.: I would recommend gaining additional laboratory and/or research experience to enhance their skill set with new techniques. Individuals could do this by reaching out to principal investigators of research laboratories who are conducting research that they have an interest in. They can also start to build their network by reaching out to professional organizations such as the American Chemical Society and their university's alumni association. These relationships can possibly lead to future opportunities.
Dr. Rainer Glaser
Professor and ChairMissouri University of Science and Technology
Chemistry Department
What skills stand out on Sample Prep Technician resumes?
Dr. Rainer Glaser: Chemistry competence is key, of course. As a close second, chemists need to demonstrate effective team player competence. Communication skills are essential, in conversation and in writing. Effective collaboration requires highly developed skills to work with team members, peers, and leadership.
Christopher Bae Ph.D.
Professor, Department ChairUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa
Department of Anthropology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Sample Prep Technicians?
Christopher Bae Ph.D.: Yes and no. Obviously, hiring in anthropology, like most academic fields, has become more difficult now because of the economic impact of COVID-19 worldwide. However, anthropology graduates are still managing to find job placement in postdoctoral research fellowships, cultural resource management firms, and non-governmental organizations. The applied areas of anthropology are where positions can still be found fairly regularly. Moving forward, however, I anticipate a rebound, like in most fields, of hires more broadly in anthropology.
What type of skills will young Sample Prep Technicians need?
Christopher Bae Ph.D.: Several things really make a resume stand out when hitting the job market. First and foremost, experience in the field and/or laboratory and the ability to show that one is capable of starting a project from scratch and seeing it through to final completion (as evidenced from resulting conference presentations and publications). Undergraduate students should try to gain experience as interns and in field schools. This gives them some experience, and they get a chance to see whether the field is right for them. Graduate students need to develop advanced analytical skills as they work through their qualitative and quantitative datasets. Having a high grade point average can help as well if the hiring firm requests academic transcripts.
What experience really stands out on Sample Prep Technician resumes?
Dr. Randall J Mitchell: You will never have all the background needed for any particular position, but having a wide variety of experience and a record of responsibility and completion will help demonstrate that you can learn on the job. Any experience of any kind can be important for that demonstration. It's obviously nice if the experience is related to your desired job, but sometimes that's hard to do - build up to it in any way you can, and try to develop connections and network. Some of the best experiences come from being in the right place at the right time, and that is more likely if you are in a lot of different activities and get to know people. For field and environmental types, volunteer or paid work with park districts, time outdoors, and experience with identifying plants can make a big difference. Experience writing reports and presenting projects is important. And as an aside - grades aren't that important here. Focus on what you learn and what you can do, not just on getting good scores. Some of the best learning comes in the hardest things for you, so don't avoid hard classes that will be valuable.
What Sample Prep Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Randall J Mitchell: Writing clearly, demonstrating (and developing) responsibility, and anything even distantly related to your desired career is helpful. If you can do this for pay, that's obviously helpful and convenient, but you probably will need to do volunteer work, at least in part. For field and environmental biology students, get out hiking, fishing, hunting, botanizing, and managing the property. The more field experience you can get, the better. Use this time to sample and try as many options that interest you as possible. Figure out what makes you happy and what you are good at. Or, you may need to use that time to make some money so you'll have a cushion once you return to school.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Sample Prep Technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Randall J Mitchell: Coding and/or using software (even just a spreadsheet) is important. Photo and image software abilities are useful too. For field and environmental biology students, GIS (geographic information Systems - computer maps) can make a big difference in making you a desirable hire (if nothing else, get good with google earth pro, which is free and pretty powerful!). I think that drone skills and remote sensing/image analysis will be of increasing importance. Abilities with radio tagging and GPS tagging can be a help too in the right situation. DNA and environmental DNA skills also have a role and will be of increasing importance.
What experience really stands out on Sample Prep 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.
Dr. Scott Lankford Ph.D.
School ChairUniversity of Central Missouri
School of Natural Sciences
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Sample Prep Technician job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Scott Lankford Ph.D.: The healthcare fields are experiencing high demand still, so I would predict a strong job market to continue in that sector. We also continue to see demand for graduates in technology and research-related careers, so I do not expect a decreased need for graduates in the sciences. If anything, the pandemic has either delayed or derailed some students on their path to the job market, so there might be increased initial competition, once everyone gets back on track.
What Sample Prep Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Scott Lankford Ph.D.: A student can achieve many co-curricular experiences in a gap year that would add tremendous value to their degree. In the sciences, these include getting a job related to your area of interest to build critical experiences that can inform your future career direction, enrolling in small certificate programs to obtain credentials verifying specialized skills relevant to your desired career, and taking advantage of internship or research experiences that are still available. Unfortunately, those opportunities have been impacted by the pandemic, but they are still out there.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Sample Prep Technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Jodi Lancaster Ph.D.: Wow, this is challenging to answer because the pace of change in biotechnology is so rapid. I expect we will see increased efficiencies in standard biotechnology techniques such as PCR, RT-PCR, and qPCR. The need to analyze vast data sets is already becoming necessary (i.e., use of data mining software, R programming, etc.). Assuming the mRNA-based COVID19 vaccines are successful, there may be opportunities to reformulate some current vaccines with a lower efficacy.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Sample Prep Technicians?
John Wilbur Ph.D.: I am not sure we can tell at this time how the pandemic will impact graduates. I am sure the job market is bleak, at best.
Mohammad Saadeh Ph.D.
Department HeadSoutheastern Louisiana University
Department of Industrial and Engineering Technology
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Sample Prep Technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Mohammad Saadeh Ph.D.: IoT and automation.
How do you envision technology impacting Sample Prep Technicians in the next 5 years?
Glen P. Miller: The chemistry field is constantly impacted by advancements in scientific instrumentation, hardware, and software, especially those that cut across adjacent fields like biology and materials science. Job seekers should be well-grounded in current technologies while aware of recent developments and trends.
Gerald Bergtrom Ph.D.
Professor of Biological Sciences (Emeritus) & Teaching & Learning ConsultantUniversity of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Biological Sciences Department
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Sample Prep Technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Gerald Bergtrom Ph.D.: -In any STEM field, predicting, recognizing, and fighting climate change looms large. In the life sciences, detecting the effects of environmental change at the species, individual, cellular, and molecular level will be increasingly necessary.
-Medical science will need to respond to new challenges arising out of climate change and the aging population. Supported (as always) by basic sciences, medical science will focus on big-picture biology, represented by the ever-growing number of "...omics". These include genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics... and the enabling technologies that let us look at a lot of genes, gene products, and biochemical reactions at the same time. Finally, the ever-improving gene-editing technologies can lead to the treatment of disease, leading to a greater understanding of the disease and biological process in general.