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How to hire a test laboratory technician

Test laboratory technician hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring test laboratory technicians in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a test laboratory technician is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new test laboratory technician to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a test laboratory technician, step by step

To hire a test laboratory technician, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a test laboratory technician:

Here's a step-by-step test laboratory technician hiring guide:

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

What does a test laboratory technician do?

A test laboratory technician is responsible for conducting laboratory tests to diagnose patients' conditions and identify their treatment plans. Test laboratory technicians safely operate laboratory tools and equipment, adhering to the strict safety standards and regulations to avoid contamination and prevent potential hazards within the laboratory. They also maintain the cleanliness of the area, as well as sanitizing the instruments and properly segregating disposable materials. A test laboratory technician analyzes results and writes medical reports under the supervision of an attending physician or medical technologist.

Learn more about the specifics of what a test laboratory technician does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your test laboratory technician 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 test laboratory technician 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?

    Hiring the perfect test laboratory technician also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    The following list breaks down different types of test laboratory technicians and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Test Laboratory TechnicianDescriptionHourly rate
    Test Laboratory TechnicianMedical laboratory technologists (commonly known as medical laboratory scientists) and medical laboratory technicians collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances.$16-35
    Medical Technologist, GeneralistA Medical Technologist Generalist performs day-to-day operations in the laboratory such as routine testing, quality control, and maintenance of instruments. They also develop, perform, and evaluate the accuracy of laboratory procedures.$20-37
    Medical TechnologistA medical technologist's role is to conduct laboratory tests with accuracy and speed. It is their responsibility to gather, prepare, and analyze samples such as blood, tissues, and bodily fluid... Show more$19-32
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Test Equipment
    • Troubleshoot
    • Test Results
    • Test Lab
    • Test Methods
    • Data Collection
    • Test Procedures
    • Test Data
    • Test Fixtures
    • Lab Equipment
    • Transducers
    • Test Systems
    • Lab Procedures
    • Laboratory Equipment
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
    • Used LabVIEW to collect data from measurement equipment (transducers, etc . )
    • Assist in the design of all RF and environmental fixtures need to test these components.
    • Assist product engineering to make changes to products in order to meet UL and CSA standards.
    • Test soil, asphalt, and concrete samples for moisture, density, durability, and other characteristics.
    • Test done on the asphalt must pass due to the specification of GDOT specs for the contractor to use.
    More test laboratory technician duties
  3. Make a budget

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

    Average test laboratory technician salary

    $50,765yearly

    $24.41 hourly rate

    Entry-level test laboratory technician salary
    $34,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 21, 2025

    Average test laboratory technician salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Massachusetts$66,428$32
    2California$61,847$30
    3Ohio$60,267$29
    4New York$58,959$28
    5Texas$56,606$27
    6North Carolina$55,196$27
    7Arizona$52,431$25
    8Michigan$50,680$24
    9Washington$50,518$24
    10Wisconsin$49,521$24
    11Minnesota$48,414$23
    12Utah$46,463$22
    13Colorado$45,892$22
    14Florida$45,444$22
    15Indiana$43,306$21
    16Georgia$43,042$21
    17Oklahoma$40,394$19

    Average test laboratory technician salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Westinghouse Appliances Australia$90,274$43.401
    2Whirlpool$82,947$39.882
    3Motorola Solutions$82,243$39.546
    4General Electric$80,015$38.4728
    5Jacobs Engineering Group$77,290$37.16
    6Aspen Research$75,641$36.37
    7Intertek$75,625$36.3626
    8Tesla$71,417$34.3499
    9Reckitt Benckiser$66,242$31.851
    10Leviton$63,555$30.56
    11Volt Systems LLC$63,136$30.35
    12Boeing$63,021$30.30108
    13Exxon Mobil$62,648$30.12
    14MaxLinear$60,333$29.014
    15Johnson Controls$60,303$28.9913
    16Raytheon Technologies$59,157$28.4451
    17ICU Medical$57,214$27.512
    18CECO Environmental$56,290$27.06
    19PACCAR$55,545$26.70
    20GeoLogics$55,380$26.632
  4. Writing a test laboratory technician job description

    A test laboratory technician job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a test laboratory technician job description:

    Test laboratory technician job description example

    The company traces its history to 1914, where a relationship between Orville Wright and Robert Hartzell led to the manufacture of the first Hartzell propeller in 1917. The company was founded on the principle of "Built on Honor" - a clear and abiding value in our business.


    Job Summary

    Hartzell Propeller seeks to fill an opening for a Test Lab technician to work closely with the engineering group to support successful testing on flight critical propeller components. The tests typically result in certification of aviation propeller components according to FAA regulations. Other duties include programming of test lab data acquisition equipment, creation or modification of machine controls, hydraulic systems and maintenance of test lab equipment. We are looking for someone to join a small team of technicians that operate prescribed tests and help plan and build future test equipment.


    Key Deliverables

    1) Set up and monitor propeller components for: fatigue, overload or hydraulic tests according to engineering test plans

    2) Collect test data, review results with the Engineering team, and write summary reports

    3) Create procedures and checklists for test setups

    4) Install strain gauges and thermocouples to test parts

    5) Program and monitor data acquisition (DAQ) equipment

    6) Perform test lab equipment maintenance

    7) Drive continuous improvement initiatives in the test lab

    Requirements:

    Education/Experience

    Associates in Electronics Control Technology, or Mechanical Engineering Technology, or, two or more years of related experience and/or training in and mechanical engineering or an equivalent combination of education and practical experience.


    Technical Competencies

    1) Excellent verbal and written communication skills

    2) Proficient Computer Skills : Microsoft Office, Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, PLC programming

    3) Mathematical skills: Ability to work with basic mathematical concepts and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

    4) Basic Problem Solving Skills: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

    5) Mechanical Aptitude: Willing and able to perform hands-on work to support lab testing using mechanical and electro-mechanical equipment. Able to perform maintenance and trouble-shooting on test lab hydraulic equipment.


    Behavioral Characteristics

    1) Adaptability - Maintains effectiveness when experiencing major changes in the work tasks or the work environment; adjusts effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.

    2) Continuous Learning - Demonstrated ability to learn continuously and apply newly gained knowledge and skills.

    3) Contributes to Team Success - Actively participates as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of goals.

    4) Initiates Action : Takes prompt action to accomplish objectives; takes action to achieve goals beyond what is required; is proactive.

    5) Manages Work - Effectively manages one's time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently.

    6) Quality Orientation - Accomplishes tasks by considering all areas involved, no matter how small; shows concern for all aspects of the job; accurately checks processes and tasks; is watchful over a period of time.


    EEO/AA/E-Verify Employer



    PI193950477

  5. Post your job

    To find the right test laboratory technician for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with test laboratory technicians they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit test laboratory technicians who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your test laboratory technician job on Zippia to find and recruit test laboratory technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with test laboratory technician candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

    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 test laboratory technician

    Once you've selected the best test laboratory technician candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new test laboratory technician first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  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 test laboratory technician?

There are different types of costs for hiring test laboratory technicians. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new test laboratory technician employee.

Test laboratory technicians earn a median yearly salary is $50,765 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find test laboratory technicians for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $16 and $35.

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