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What is a senior laboratory technician and how to become one
Senior laboratory technicians contribute to the work of researchers in science laboratories. They see to it that lab equipment is safe to use and well maintained. They provide technical advice and carry out routine tasks related to ongoing researches.
You will analyze samples and conduct tests and experiments on materials and substances used in the research processes. You will have to document your work and create reports on your findings for the scientists you work for. Labeling samples and organizing materials will also be your job. As a laboratory is a potentially high-risk working environment, making sure that all your activities comply with safety regulations is of special importance here.
A bachelor's in chemistry, biology, or a related field will be important. You will probably have to be licensed as a lab technician as well, and as a senior professional, you will have to prove extensive working experience in this position. You will need to be attentive and responsible, know the drill in emergency situations, and have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Professionals in this line of work make around $62,000 in a year.
What general advice would you give to a senior laboratory technician?
Benjamin Ford
Professor and Chair, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Avg. Salary $48,530
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 9%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.82%
Asian 12.00%
Black or African American 10.55%
Hispanic or Latino 17.00%
Unknown 5.43%
White 54.20%
Genderfemale 41.39%
male 58.61%
Age - 44American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 44Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
Senior laboratory technician career paths
Key steps to become a senior laboratory technician
Explore senior laboratory technician education requirements
Start to develop specific senior laboratory technician skills
Skills Percentages Lab Equipment 8.75% Patients 8.13% Research Projects 4.71% Cell Culture 4.48% Safety Procedures 4.24% Complete relevant senior laboratory technician training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior laboratory technicians 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 senior laboratory technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior laboratory technician resumes.Research senior laboratory technician duties and responsibilities
- Lead aerobic, anaerobic and UV light testing, chemical residue testing and centrifuge to separate chemicals from water.
- Operate a binary distillation column using LabView to separate a mixture of methanol and water.
- Provide and sign certificate of analyses for wet chemistry and microbiology.
- Perform CFU-blast, CFU-C, CFU-D, CFU-S assays.
Get senior laboratory technician experience
Generally, it takes 6-12 months to become a senior laboratory technician. The most common roles before becoming a senior laboratory technician include laboratory technician, research technician team lead and research assistant.Prepare your senior laboratory technician resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior laboratory technician 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 senior laboratory technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable senior laboratory technician resume templates
Build a professional senior laboratory technician 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 senior laboratory technician resume.
Apply for senior laboratory technician jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a senior laboratory technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
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Average senior laboratory technician salary
The average senior laboratory technician salary in the United States is $48,530 per year or $23 per hour. Senior laboratory technician salaries range between $34,000 and $67,000 per year.
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Senior laboratory technician reviews
All of it. Enjoy CAP accreditation visits. Scheduling, policy procedures making.. QC program
Updated January 8, 2025
