Scientific Laboratory Technician
Key facts
Scientific laboratory technicians carry out laboratory-based research, analysis and testing and support life science professionals. They sample, test, measure, research and analyse in areas such as biology, biotechnology, environmental science, forensic science and pharmacology. Scientific laboratory technicians also observe and monitor laboratory activities, record test sequences and analyse the results.
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.
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.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person’s chances. It describes a market.
Reported demand · Typical pay · Where it is heading (United States, Ireland, Australia, Malta)
| Reported demand | Typical pay | Where it is heading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Not reported | $57,510 2025-05 | +3.5% 2024–2034 · BLS 2024-2034 |
| Ireland | Not reported | — | +13.7% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| Australia | Assessed as balanced Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 * | — | — |
| Malta | Surplus reported ELA/EURES 2024 * | — | — |
* Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS)
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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.
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.
Model-based estimate. Use it as a planning signal, not a guarantee.
Compare this to your profile
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.
What you need to do this work
The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.
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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.
-
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.
-
use chemical analysis equipment
Use the laboratory equipment such as Atomic Absorption equimpent, PH and conductivity meters or salt spray chambre.
-
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.
-
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.
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prepare samples for testing
Take and prepare samples for testing, verify their representability; avoid bias and any possibility of accidental or deliberate contamination. Provide clear numbering, labelling and recording of the sample details, in order to make sure that the results can be accurately matched to the original material.
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).
stem cells
The biological development of human embryonic stem cells, together with the ethical concerns related and the legal requirements involved.
automated analysers in the medical laboratory
The methods used to introduce samples into the laboratory instrument that analyses biological samples for diagnosis purpose.
biological chemistry
Biological chemistry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
blood collection on babies
The recommended procedure for collecting blood from babies through their heel.
blood donation
The procedures related to collecting blood samples from volunteers, the screening testing against disease and the follow-up.
blood type classification
The classification of blood types such as group A, B, AB, 0 and their characteristics.
data protection
The principles, ethical issues, regulations and protocols of data protection.
fine-needle aspiration
The type of biopsy through which a thin needle is inserted into an area of body tissue and analysed in the laboratory to determine whether the tissue is benign or malignant.
histopathology
The procedures needed for the microscopic examination of stained tissue sections using histological techniques.
microbiology-bacteriology
Microbiology-Bacteriology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
- laboratory techniques
Path to become a scientific laboratory technician
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Short-cycle tertiary education
Regulated in 8 countries on record. Minimum EQF 4–7, depending on the country.
Reflects the EU regulated-professions database. Not legal advice — confirm requirements with the relevant national authority before relying on this for a career or immigration decision.
1,056 programmes in 29 countries teach the core skills of this job. Plus 58 short courses that build single skills.
A few examples, taught in the language of this page:
Koulutuskeskus Salpaus · Finland
Master of Laboratory Analysis, Quality and Management
Macquarie University (Macquarie) · Australia
Bachelor of Science - Laboratory Analyst
South East Technological University · Ireland
Physical Science Technologies/Technicians
City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College · the United States
Chemical Engineering and Chemistry
Technische Universiteit Eindhoven · the Netherlands
Laboratory Techniques
Longford & Westmeath Education and Training Board · Ireland
These are 6 of 1,114.
Sources
- 1. Source: Opintopolku.fi (Finnish National Agency for Education)
- 2. Source: Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Education), CRICOS, data.gov.au, CC BY 2.5 AU. Data as at 01/09/2026. Adapted by NexPath.
- 3. Source: Europass Qualification Dataset Register (European Commission)
- 4. Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (collegescorecard.ed.gov), CC BY. Data as at 10/06/2026. Adapted by NexPath.
- 5. Bron: DUO open onderwijsdata
Growth 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.
For organisations
The data on this page, working for your students, clients and staff.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of education or training is typically required to become a scientific laboratory technician?
What are some of the work styles and values that are important for success in this role?
What are the typical employment prospects for scientific laboratory technicians?
Is there a shortage of Scientific Laboratory Technician in Europe?
How much does Scientific Laboratory Technician pay in the United States?
Is Scientific Laboratory Technician a regulated profession?
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated October 3, 2026 About our data