Laboratory Technician
Also advertised as: Analytical Technician, bacteriology culture technician, bacteriology technician, bacteriology technologist, biochemistry laboratory technician, biochemistry technologist
Prepares, runs and records scientific tests and keeps the laboratory working correctly.
What the job involves
Lab technicians carry out testing and analysis, calibrate and maintain equipment, prepare samples and record results to strict standards. Work spans NHS pathology, water testing, food safety, materials and pharmaceutical labs, with apprenticeship entry available.
Typical responsibilities
- Prepare samples and run analytical tests
- Calibrate and maintain equipment
- Record and report results accurately
- Follow health, safety and quality procedures
- Order and manage laboratory consumables
Common employers
- NHS pathology labs
- Water companies
- Food manufacturers
- Pharmaceutical firms
- Universities
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£22,000 – £27,000 a year
With experience
£30,000 – £38,000 a year
Typical hours
37.5 hours, some shift work in clinical labs
Working environment
Laboratory
Remote working
on_site
Demand for this work
steady
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Laboratory technique
- Data recording
- Quality standards
- Attention to detail
- Equipment maintenance
Transferable skills you may already have
- Following precise procedures
- Handling equipment carefully
- Record keeping
Requirements employers ask for
- Laboratory technique
- Data recording
- Quality standards
- Attention to detail
- Equipment maintenance
- Level 3 science qualification or apprenticeship
- biology
- write technical reports
- microbiology-bacteriology
- calibrate laboratory equipment
- collect samples for analysis
- assist in the production of laboratory documentation
- perform scientific research
- laboratory equipment
- manage inventory
- collect biological data
- use laboratory equipment
- perform laboratory tests
Useful but not essential
- Following precise procedures
- Handling equipment carefully
- Record keeping
- Level 5 Technician Scientist
- Registered Science Technician status
- maintain database
- keep task records
- prepare visual data
- write research proposals
- pharmaceutical industry
- botany
- immunology
- hazardous waste storage
Helpful qualifications
- Level 5 Technician Scientist
- Registered Science Technician status
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Laboratory Technician (Level 3)
- Technician Scientist (Level 5)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Chemistry
- Related subject: Biology
- Related subject: Applied science
- Related subject: Forensic science
Where this career can lead
next
Senior Technician
next
Biomedical Scientist
next
Laboratory Manager
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Science career without a degree
- Structured and methodical work
- Route to registered scientist status
What people find hard
- Repetitive testing
- Strict procedures leave little flexibility
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a laboratory technician?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. not_required
- How much does a laboratory technician earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £22,000 to £27,000 a year, rising towards £38,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Following precise procedures, Handling equipment carefully, Record keeping.
Related careers
Laboratory Analyst
Carries out tests and analysis on samples to support research or quality standards.
Research Assistant
Supports researchers with data collection, literature review and administration of studies.
Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
Read how our career data is built and reviewed, or tell us if something here is wrong.