scientific laboratory technician
Key facts
Are you fascinated by science and enjoy meticulous work? As a scientific laboratory technician, you'll play a vital role in supporting scientific breakthroughs by conducting tests, analyzing data, and ensuring the smooth operation of laboratory environments.
Scientific laboratory technicians are essential members of research and testing teams across diverse fields. Your days will involve performing a range of laboratory tasks, from preparing samples and operating sophisticated equipment to meticulously recording data and assisting scientists in interpreting results. You’ll contribute to advancements in areas like biology, biotechnology, environmental science, forensic science, and pharmacology, ensuring accuracy and adherence to established protocols.
- • Conducting laboratory tests and experiments following established procedures.
- • Operating and maintaining laboratory equipment, ensuring its proper functioning and calibration.
- • Collecting, preparing, and analyzing samples, accurately recording observations and data.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Science and engineering associate professionals — 267 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Netherlands, Sweden.
Longest-running shortage: Netherlands, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could scientific laboratory technician fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Integrity?
Future Outlook for scientific laboratory technician
The outlook for scientific laboratory technician reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could scientific laboratory technician change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could scientific laboratory technician change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- wear appropriate protective gear
- apply safety procedures in laboratory
- work safely with chemicals
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- conduct routine blood testing
- test chemical samples
- perform sample testing
Tasks most exposed to automation
- record test data
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Healthcare & Human Services
A typical day as a scientific laboratory technician
09 09:00 · Morning apply safety procedures in laboratory
10 10:30 · Mid-morning conduct routine blood testing
12 12:00 · Midday work safely with chemicals
14 14:00 · Afternoon calibrate laboratory equipment
15 15:30 · Late afternoon mix chemicals
17 17:00 · Wrap-up maintain laboratory equipment
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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cryopreservation
Cryopreservation deals with procedures, risks and conditions applied to cells or tissues in order to prevent contamination and damage. It refers to the preservation of embryos, eggs, semen and testicle tissue by cooling to very low temperatures (typically -80 or -196°C).
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stem cells
The biological development of human embryonic stem cells, together with the ethical concerns related and the legal requirements involved.
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automated analysers in the medical laboratory
The methods used to introduce samples into the laboratory instrument that analyses biological samples for diagnosis purpose.
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biological chemistry
Biological chemistry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
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blood collection on babies
The recommended procedure for collecting blood from babies through their heel.
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blood donation
The procedures related to collecting blood samples from volunteers, the screening testing against disease and the follow-up.
- laboratory techniques
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perform laboratory tests
Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
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calibrate laboratory equipment
Calibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment. Make the measurements in as similar a way as possible.
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use chemical analysis equipment
Use the laboratory equipment such as Atomic Absorption equimpent, PH and conductivity meters or salt spray chambre.
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wear appropriate protective gear
Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
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apply safety procedures in laboratory
Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.
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work safely with chemicals
Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.
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test chemical samples
Perform the testing procedures on the already prepared chemical samples, by using the necessary equipment and materials. Chemical sample testing involves operations such as pipetting or diluting schemes.
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perform sample testing
Examine and perform tests on prepared samples; avoid any possibility of accidental or deliberate contamination during the testing phase. Operate sampling equipment in line with design parameters.
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conduct routine blood testing
Perform routine tests on blood gases, electrolytes and metabolites.
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mix chemicals
Mix chemical substances safely according to recipe, using the proper dosages.
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record test data
Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
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maintain laboratory equipment
Clean laboratory glassware and other equipment after use and it for damage or corrosion in order to ensure its proper functioning.
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operate scientific measuring equipment
Operate devices, machinery, and equipment designed for scientific measurement. Scientific equipment consists of specialised measuring instruments refined to facilitate the acquisition of data.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
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Take the free Career DNA assessment to see how scientific laboratory technician aligns with your interests, work style, and future path. In less than 10 minutes, you will get a personalized fit signal and a roadmap for what to do next.
Scan to continue on mobileGrowth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does scientific laboratory technician fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of education or training is typically required to become a scientific laboratory technician?
- While specific requirements can vary, a diploma or associate’s degree in a relevant field such as biology, chemistry, or medical technology is generally expected. Practical laboratory experience, often gained through internships or entry-level positions, is also highly valuable.
- What are some of the work styles and values that are important for success in this role?
- Success as a scientific laboratory technician relies on attention to detail, analytical skills, and a commitment to accuracy (1.C.5.b, 1.C.5.a, 1.C.5.c). You’ll need to be organized, methodical, and able to work both independently and as part of a team (1.C.6, 1.C.3.a). Finding satisfaction in contributing to scientific progress and valuing precision and reliability are also key (1.B.2.a, 1.B.2.e, 1.B.2.b, 1.B.2.f).
- What are the typical employment prospects for scientific laboratory technicians?
- This role is primarily an employment-based position. You will typically find yourself working as an employee within a laboratory setting, contributing to a larger research or testing team.
- Scientific Laboratory Technician — is there a shortage in Europe?
- No. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a surplus was reported in 6 of the 8 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Czechia, Denmark, Finland and 2 more. 2 countries reported a shortage. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Scientific Laboratory Technician — what does it pay in the United States?
- $52,000 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $41,300 to $71,440. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.
- Scientific Laboratory Technician — is it a regulated profession?
- It is listed as a regulated profession in 8 European countries: Latvia, Hungary, Germany, Slovenia and 4 more. The lowest qualification level required among them is EQF 4. Where a profession is regulated, a qualification earned elsewhere has to be formally recognised before you can practise. Source: EU Regulated Professions Database.