Laboratory technician
Run tests on samples, prepare experiments and keep lab equipment working, supporting research, product development and medical diagnosis.
- Salary£24,000 – £31,000
- Hours37 to 40 hours a week; may include weekends on shifts
- Working for yourselfUsually employed
What the job is like
Laboratory technicians keep science running. They set up experiments, prepare samples and solutions, run instruments and record results accurately, in places ranging from hospital labs and universities to food, pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies.
You do not have to go to university first. The Laboratory Technician Level 3 apprenticeship and the T Level in Science are both routes in, and you can build up to the Technician Scientist Level 5 apprenticeship or a degree later.
What you'll do
- Set up experiments and investigations
- Prepare solutions, cultures and specimens
- Analyse samples using scientific instruments
- Record, collect and present data and results
- Calibrate, clean and maintain equipment
- Follow strict health and safety rules and lab procedures
Where you'll work
- Indoors
- In a team
- On your own
Skills and hobbies that help
Weighted by how much they matter in this job, from the official job profile's skills and tasks. Tap one to see other careers that use it.
Key skills
Used a lot
Handy to have
Hobbies that give you a head start
How to become a laboratory technician
Apprenticeship
Laboratory Technician Level 3 apprenticeship (typically about 24 months), or Technician Scientist Level 5 (typically about 36 months)
T Level
T Level in Science (usually 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 including English and maths)
College
Courses in applied science, environmental science, or chemistry, physics or biology
University
Foundation degree, HND or degree in a science subject such as biomedical, environmental, forensic or materials science
Direct application
Apply with experience from a university, hospital, industrial or school science lab
Where it can lead
- Lab supervisor or lab manager
- Specialising in complex analysis work
- Registered Science Technician (RSciTech) with the Science Council
- Further study to become a research scientist
Good to know
- You will usually wear protective clothing
- The National Careers Service flags lab work as a potential green job, for example testing soil and water for pollutants
Courses and training
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T Level
Find a T Level near you – T Levels (Department for Education)
Two-year technical courses for 16 to 19 year olds in England, with an industry placement of at least 315 hours. Search for schools and colleges offering the T Level you want.
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Apprenticeship search
Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK
The official GOV.UK service for searching and applying for apprenticeship vacancies in England.
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Course search
Find a course – National Careers Service
The National Careers Service search for college and training provider courses in England, including Skills Bootcamps.
Official information
Sources
We checked these pages in September 2026. Rules, pay and courses change, so always confirm with the official source.
- National Careers Service: Laboratory technician nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/laboratory-technician
- Skills England apprenticeship: Laboratory technician (Level 3) skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0248-v1-3
- Skills England apprenticeship: Technician scientist (Level 5) skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0597-v1-1
- Science Council: Registered Science Technician (RSciTech) sciencecouncil.org/your-career-in-science/science-council-professional-registration/rscitech/