How to hire a technical laboratory specialist

How to hire a technical laboratory specialist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step technical laboratory specialist hiring guide:

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

What does a technical laboratory specialist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your technical laboratory specialist job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a technical laboratory specialist for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A technical laboratory specialist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, technical laboratory specialists 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 presents technical laboratory specialist salaries for various positions.

   Type of Technical Laboratory Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Technical Laboratory Specialist	Computer support specialists provide help and advice to people and organizations using computer software or equipment. Some, called computer network support specialists, support information technology (IT) employees within their organization... Show more	$18-42
   Laboratory Manager	Laboratory managers provide accurate laboratory diagnosis through evaluating specimen procedures and coordinating with pathologists to validate laboratory findings. They are responsible for maintaining laboratory tools and equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of instruments before and after use, organizing equipment based on its function, and immediately repairing or replacing defective items... Show more	$23-53
   Technical Advisor	Technical advisors are experts in a specific field of knowledge, offering information and advice to those in the field. They develop applications, coordinate the activities of technicians, and provide technical expertise... Show more	$37-68

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Clinical Laboratory
   • Patients
   • Chemistry
   • Patient Care
   • Proficiency Testing
   • Microbiology
   • Test Results
   • Technical Procedures
   • Data Analysis
   • Troubleshoot
   • Technical Support
   • Regulatory Agencies
   • Lab Equipment
   • OSHA

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage daily laboratory operations including personnel, client consulting, analyses and adherence to GLP protocols.
   • Experience in strapping and converting tanks, ASTM procedures, and OSHA requirements.
   • Provide FDA reportable incident reports and recalls.
   • Train in OSHA for handling biological exposure of samples.
   • Maintain and troubleshoot programs in collaboration with help desk personnel.
   • Process lab reports for delivery for clients under FDA regulations.

   More technical laboratory specialist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the technical laboratory specialist job description is a good way to get more applicants. A technical laboratory specialist 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 technical laboratory specialist in Alabama may be lower than in Hawaii, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level technical laboratory specialist. Additionally, a technical laboratory specialist with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average technical laboratory specialist salary

   $59,377yearly

   $28.55 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level technical laboratory specialist salary

   $39,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

   Average technical laboratory specialist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$87,011	$42
   2	New Jersey	$80,271	$39
   3	District of Columbia	$80,066	$38
   4	Virginia	$78,897	$38
   5	Maryland	$76,496	$37
   6	Ohio	$76,199	$37
   7	Massachusetts	$71,261	$34
   8	Washington	$68,711	$33
   9	Pennsylvania	$66,011	$32
   10	Illinois	$65,390	$31
   11	Rhode Island	$65,028	$31
   12	Minnesota	$61,541	$30
   13	Indiana	$61,375	$30
   14	Arizona	$59,616	$29
   15	Colorado	$58,019	$28
   16	Wisconsin	$57,719	$28
   17	Kansas	$56,505	$27
   18	Tennessee	$53,419	$26
   19	Georgia	$53,386	$26
   20	Missouri	$52,932	$25

   Average technical laboratory specialist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Sutter Health	$84,644	$40.69	77
   2	Amazon	$82,403	$39.62	401
   3	PROLIM	$82,042	$39.44
   4	Ortho Clinical Diagnostics	$80,972	$38.93	5
   5	Essilor USA	$78,505	$37.74
   6	tk Materials NA	$68,915	$33.13
   7	Koch Industries	$67,861	$32.63	1
   8	Children's Hospital New Orleans	$67,374	$32.39
   9	HonorHealth	$67,026	$32.22
   10	CovenantHealth	$65,914	$31.69	61
   11	enVista	$65,591	$31.53	8
   12	The Jones Co.	$65,500	$31.49
   13	National Vision Administrators	$64,886	$31.20	24
   14	University of Maryland Medical System	$64,250	$30.89	43
   15	Ascension Michigan	$63,663	$30.61	53
   16	Great River Health	$63,591	$30.57	2
   17	The George Washington University Hospital	$62,895	$30.24
   18	Medstar Health	$62,787	$30.19	20
   19	Children's Hospital Colorado	$62,576	$30.08	3
   20	Versiti	$62,478	$30.04	10

4. Writing a technical laboratory specialist job description

   A job description for a technical laboratory specialist role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a technical laboratory specialist job description:

   Technical laboratory specialist job description example

   This position performs routine and specialized laboratory tests and related procedures. Performs technical work and problem solving at a high level of complexity. Manages new test development projects. May direct and coordinate a small group of Technologists (generally 10 or fewer) and will in the absence of the Laboratory Supervisor, carry out supervisory functions.
   PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
   
   Performs tests and procedures requiring special skills, knowledge and judgment; also performs the functions of lower-classified personnel as needed.
   
   Records and reviews test results for significance to determine if additional testing or an alternative procedure is required and does what is needed.
   
   Performs troubleshooting of instruments, takes and records corrective action.
   
   As needed, directs, and coordinates the activities of staff in the section to ensure that all work is performed according to established procedures and that all standards for quality, service and safety are met.
   
   Coordinates the evaluation of new procedures and analytical systems, modification of existing procedures, update of procedure manuals, evaluation of new products, and other investigative projects.
   
   Participates in the performance evaluation of subordinate personnel as required.
   
   Assists less experienced personnel by providing technical guidance and help in solving problems.
   
   Collaborates with the supervisor on developing and implementing of orientation and training programs for section employees, students, and residents.
   
   Performs administrative functions such as ordering and inventory control as assigned.
   
   Relays test results and/or reports to physicians or others authorized to receive them. Discusses findings with physicians.
   
   Attends mandatory annual training sessions in standard precautions, fire safety, chemical hygiene, and laboratory compliance.
   
   Performs all functions that are required for the laboratory to meet the standards specified by accrediting agencies such as TJC and CAP with respect to: written technical and administrative procedures and policies covering test methodologies, operations and maintenance of instruments and equipment, quality control of testing and reporting, specimen collection and handling, plant maintenance, personnel policies, safety, and quality assurance.
   
   May perform other job-related duties as requested or required.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right technical laboratory specialist 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 technical laboratory specialist job on Zippia to find and attract quality technical laboratory specialist candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting technical laboratory specialists requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   Sometimes, it's not enough to interview technical laboratory specialist candidates, so you can ask them to do a test project. If you are not a technical person and don't know what a test project should be, you can use these websites:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   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 technical laboratory specialist

   Once you've decided on a perfect technical laboratory specialist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   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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How much does it cost to hire a technical laboratory specialist?