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Laboratory Technicians

Laboratory technicians carry out routine laboratory tests and checks and perform a variety of technical support functions requiring the application of established or prescribed procedures and techniques to assist scientists with their research, development, analysis and testing, and to verify the physical, chemical and other characteristics of materials and products.

Wages

New workers
AVERAGE
Experienced
£15,666
£26,240
£42,683

New workers start around £15,666. Normal pay is £26,240 per year.
Highly experienced workers can earn up to £42,683.

Available jobs

In the past year there were 80,208 vacancies for this type of job

4.52%

Projected job growth over the next 8 years

Related courses

People work towards these careers by taking these courses at college and uni.

What they do most days?

  • Keeps up to date with new technical developments.

  • Disposes of chemical and biological waste safely.

  • Maintains and rotates stock and supplies.

  • Records and collates data obtained from experimental work and documents all work carried out.

  • Operates and services specialised scientific equipment, undertakes prescribed measurements and analyses and ensures that sterile conditions necessary for some equipment are maintained.

  • Prepares organic and inorganic material for examination and stains and fixes slides for microscope work.

  • Sets up and assists with the construction and the development of scientific apparatus for experimental, demonstration or other purposes.

Hard Skills

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Laboratory Equipment

  • Medical Laboratory

  • Chemistry

  • Standard Operating Procedure

  • Laboratory Experience

  • Biology

  • Pathology

  • Housekeeping

  • Data Entry

  • Microbiology

Soft Skills

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Communication

  • Detail Oriented

  • Research

  • Management

  • English Language

  • Mathematics

  • Organizational Skills

  • Quality Control

  • Customer Service

  • Operations

How do I get a job like this?

People in these types of job started their career paths after studying courses like the ones below.

Routes to this career

See all

  • Biomedical Science

    Leeds Beckett University

    BSc (Hons) · 6 Years · Part-time · Leeds · 16/09/2024

    Tariff points: 72/72

  • Medical Bioscience

    DN Colleges Group

    FdSc · 3 Years · Part-time · Scunthorpe · 16/09/2024

    Tariff points: 32/32

  • Biomedical Science

    University of Plymouth

    BSc (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Plymouth · 16/09/2024

    Tariff points: 112/128

  • Biomedical Sciences

    University of Cumbria

    BSc (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Carlisle · 16/09/2024

    Tariff points: 104/120

  • Food Innovation and Technology

    College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise

    FdSc · 2 Years · Full-time · Cookstown · 09/2024

    Tariff points: 48/48

  • Health and Social Care

    Havant and South Downs College

    FD · 2 Years · Full-time · Waterlooville · 09/2024

    Tariff points: 96/96

  • Zoology with Primatology

    Bangor University

    MZool · 4 Years · Full-time · Bangor, Gwynedd · 23/09/2024

    Tariff points: 120/136

  • Pharmacy

    University of Central Lancashire

    MPharm (H) · 4 Years · Full-time · Preston · 23/09/2024

    Tariff points: N/A

  • Biology

    Aberystwyth University

    MBiol (Hons) · 4 Years · Full-time · Aberystwyth · 23/09/2024

    Tariff points: 120/128

  • Biomedical Science

    Edge Hill University

    BSc (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Ormskirk · 30/09/2024

    Tariff points: 112/120

  • Zoology

    Manchester Metropolitan University

    BSc (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Manchester · 09/2024

    Tariff points: 104/112

  • Animal Management

    Derby College

    FD · 2 Years · Full-time · Morley · 09/2024

    Tariff points: 64/64

  • Food and Nutrition Top-up

    University College Birmingham

    BSc (Hons) · 3 Years · Variable · Birmingham · 16/09/2024

    Tariff points: N/A

  • Chemistry

    University of Aberdeen

    BSc (Hons) · 4 Years · Full-time · Aberdeen · 16/09/2024

    Tariff points: N/A