How To Become A Laboratory Aide: What It Is and Career Path

What is a laboratory aide and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Experts

Dr. Tanea Reed Ph.D.,

Xenia Morin Ph.D.

A laboratory aide works as a part of the laboratory team performing the tasks assigned to them. However, their duties vary by work setting. He/She is tasked with ensuring the lab is clean and orderly. His/Her responsibilities include arranging specimens and samples and transporting materials from one laboratory to another. Also, he/she prepares apparatuses and machines and stores them appropriately. Additionally, he/she may run errands and produce progress reports. Besides that, he/she sanitizes areas and instruments and oversees the proper disposal of chemicals and other hazardous waste.

Laboratory aides work in healthcare facilities, labs, and educational institutions. They earn about $27,984 per year, equivalent to $13.45 per hour. The range can vary between $22,000 and $35,000. To succeed as a lab aide, you need analytical, observation, and communication skills. You'll also need at least a high school diploma and maybe a state license to work as a lab aide.

What general advice would you give to a Laboratory Aide?

Dr. Tanea Reed Ph.D.

Chair, Professor, Eastern Kentucky University

To a graduate just starting out, I would highly recommend establishing a list of short-term and long-term goals. Think about where they see themselves in the next 5 to 10 years and how they plan to reach them using SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound). Additionally, if they have not already done so, they should set up a LinkedIn account as many jobs can be found on that platform. New graduates should plan on making multiple resumes that can be used when applying to different jobs based on the criteria (i.e., skills, academic, etc.). Lastly, I would recommend making a list of their "dream jobs and companies" and research the skills needed to perform the duties of their dream job and learn more about the company itself.

ScoreLaboratory AideUS Average

Salary

2.2

Avg. Salary $28,083

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

6.6

Growth Rate 9%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

9.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.80%

Asian 12.05%

Black or African American 9.70%

Hispanic or Latino 17.69%

Unknown 5.14%

White 54.61%

Gender

female 57.63%

male 42.37%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress Level

6.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

9.7

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

8.7

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a laboratory aide

Explore laboratory aide education requirements

Most common laboratory aide degrees

Bachelor's

53.9 %

Associate

26.6 %

High School Diploma

9.0 %

Start to develop specific laboratory aide skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	15.02%
Specimen Handling	10.95%
Lab Equipment	10.78%
Phlebotomy	9.82%
Cleanliness	5.26%

Complete relevant laboratory aide training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New laboratory aides 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 laboratory aide based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real laboratory aide resumes.

Research laboratory aide duties and responsibilities

Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
Train in performing EKG's.
Attach holsters and perform EKG's.
Used PCR to phenotype blood and serum samples.

Prepare your laboratory aide resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your laboratory aide 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 laboratory aide resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Laboratory Aide Resume templates

Build a professional Laboratory Aide 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 Laboratory Aide resume.

Apply for laboratory aide jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a laboratory aide 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

How do laboratory aides rate their job?