Lab Technician: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
Lab Technicians earn a national median of $60,130/yr with 3.5% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Mathematics, Computers and Electronics, Production and Processing.
Median Salary
$60,130
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
3.5%
About as fast as average
Employed Nationally
71,400
2024 data
Typical Education
Associate's degree
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a Lab Technician
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Lab Technician candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for Lab Technician performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for Lab Technician roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow 3.5% for Lab Technician roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 71,400
- Projected Growth
- 3.5%
- Typical Education
- Associate's degree
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Lab Technician do?
- Lab Technicians apply expertise in Mathematics, Computers and Electronics, Production and Processing to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Reading Comprehension, Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Quality Control Analysis.
- How much does a Lab Technician make?
- The national median salary for a Lab Technician is $60,130 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is Lab Technician a good career in 2026?
- Employment for Lab Technician roles is projected to grow 3.5% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 71,400 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a Lab Technician?
- The typical entry-level education for a Lab Technician is Associate's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do Lab Technicians need?
- The most important skills for Lab Technician roles based on verified occupational data: Reading Comprehension, Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Quality Control Analysis, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Speaking, Writing, Mathematics, Judgment and Decision Making. Key tools and technologies include: Bentley MicroStation, ESRI ArcGIS software, Geographic information system GIS systems, Atlassian JIRA.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.
Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.