Laboratory technician
Laboratory technicians carry out tests on samples for scientific research, product development and medical diagnosis.
Also known as: Lab technician, lab assistant
- Starter salary£24,000 a year
- Experienced£31,000 a year
- Typical hours37 to 40 a week
- Green jobPotential
What you'll do
As a laboratory technician, you could:
- set up experiments and investigations
- prepare solutions, cultures and specimens
- analyse samples using scientific instruments
- collect and present data and statistics
- calibrate, clean and maintain equipment, and follow safety rules
Working environment
You could work in a laboratory, at a university or at a manufacturing plant.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- science skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to work well with others
- thinking and reasoning skills
- maths knowledge
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become a laboratory technician
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
University
You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a scientific subject to work as a laboratory technician.
Subjects include:
- biomedical science
- environmental science
- forensic science
- materials science
- pharmacy
- biology, chemistry or physics
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- 3 A levels or equivalent
College
You could take a college course to help improve your chances of finding a trainee lab assistant position.
You could do a course such as:
- applied science
- environmental science
- chemistry, physics or biology
- T Level in Science
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You could apply for a Laboratory Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship or a Technician Scientist Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.
These apprenticeships can take between 2 and 3 years to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Direct application
You can apply for work as a lab technician if you have experience in a:
- university research lab
- clinical laboratory in a hospital
- manufacturing or industrial research facility
- school or college science department
Career path and progression
With experience, you could:
- become a lab supervisor or lab manager
- specialise in complex analysis work
- apply to become a Registered Science Technician to develop your career
You could also take further training at degree or postgraduate level to become a research scientist .
Professional and industry bodies
You can register with a professional body linked to your area of work for career development and training opportunities.
Guides for this industry
Related roles
- Job roleBiochemist
- Job roleBiotechnologist
- Job roleAnatomical pathology technician
- Job roleHealthcare science assistant
- Job roleResearch scientist
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0