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Animal Lab Assistant Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Veterinary Assistant

Portland, OR · On-site

$16.75 - $20.75/hr

Sorrento Animal Hospital is Hiring a Veterinary Assistant! Position Details Role: Experienced ... Free/discounted lab work for all employee pets * Pet discounts on services and products * Pet food ...

Veterinary Assistant

Portland, OR

$16.75 - $20.75/hr

Sorrento Animal Hospital is Hiring a Veterinary Assistant! Position Details Role: Experienced ... Free/discounted lab work for all employee pets * Pet discounts on services and products * Pet food ...

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Animal Lab Assistant information

See Portland, OR salary details

$10

$21

$31

How much do animal lab assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal lab assistant in Portland, OR is $21.47, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.60 and $24.47 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an animal lab assistant?

Animal Lab Assistants are professionals who support scientific research by caring for laboratory animals and maintaining their living environments. They are responsible for feeding, cleaning, monitoring animal health, and assisting researchers with experiments. Their work ensures that animals are treated ethically and that experiments are conducted in a safe, controlled environment. Animal Lab Assistants may also help with maintaining records and administering medications as directed by veterinarians or researchers.

What are some common challenges faced by animal lab assistants, and how can they be managed?

Animal Lab Assistants often face challenges such as maintaining strict adherence to protocols, handling animals with care under potentially stressful conditions, and managing time efficiently between various tasks like feeding, cleaning, and record-keeping. To manage these challenges, it's helpful to develop strong organizational skills, stay up to date on animal care guidelines, and communicate effectively with research staff and veterinarians. Regular training and working closely within the team can also help ensure both animal welfare and research integrity are maintained.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animal lab assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animal Lab Assistant, you need a foundational understanding of animal care, handling procedures, and basic laboratory techniques, often supported by a relevant certification or associate degree in animal science or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, data recording systems, and compliance regulations such as IACUC protocols is typically expected. Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work collaboratively are essential soft skills in this role. These abilities ensure the well-being of laboratory animals, the accuracy of research data, and adherence to ethical and safety standards.

What is the difference between Animal Lab Assistant vs Veterinary Technician?

AspectAnimal Lab AssistantVeterinary Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingAssociate's degree in veterinary technology; certification often required
Work EnvironmentResearch laboratories, animal care facilitiesVeterinary clinics, animal hospitals, research labs
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, pharmaceutical companiesVeterinary clinics, animal hospitals, research facilities
Common Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

Animal Lab Assistants primarily support research labs and animal care in laboratory settings, often with minimal formal credentials. Veterinary Technicians work in veterinary clinics or hospitals, requiring specialized education and certification. While both roles involve animal care, Veterinary Technicians typically have more advanced training and perform clinical procedures, whereas Animal Lab Assistants focus on supporting research activities.

What job categories do people searching Animal Lab Assistant jobs in Portland, OR look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Lab Assistant jobs in Portland, OR are:
What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Animal Lab Assistant jobs? Cities near Portland, OR with the most Animal Lab Assistant job openings:
Infographic showing various Animal Lab Assistant job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,661 per year, or $21.5 per hour.

Assistant Laboratory Manager

IDEXX Laboratories

Portland, OR • On-site

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


IDEXX Laboratories rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 54 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

69th of 120 rated laboratories


Job description

In this Role:

  • In this role you will serve as both a Laboratory Supervisor (60%) and Individual Contributor (40%).

  • As a Lab Supervisor, you will be responsible for overseeing Laboratory Technicians performing work in a variety of clinical departments.

  • You will leverage your passion for coaching and developing employees, and helping them reach business goals and their full potential.

  • You will organize staff schedules, coordinate workflow, and oversee costs and metrics.

  • You will problem-solve every day, from trouble-shooting diagnostic analyzers to resolving situational workflow and turnaround time challenges.

  • You will be a business leader and a people leader for the lab and the line of business.

  • You will bring your passion and enthusiasm for teamwork, success, innovation and excellence to your role, every day.

  • As an individual contributor, You will be using automated analyzers, microscopes, and other laboratory diagnostic tools to perform analyses and tests. that diagnose animal illnesses, injuries, and diseases in support of veterinarian animal treatment.

  • You will be performing diagnostic tests on blood, urine, fecal, or pet biopsy samples that we receive in our lab by the thousands, every day.

  • You will be responsible for setting up and running lab tests and reading and releasing results according to SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures).

  • You can explore more about our different clinical departments here:https://careers.idexx.com/us/en/referencelaboratories

What You Will Need to Succeed:

  • You've directly supervised 5+ employees in a fast-paced and/or high-volume work environment.

  • Ideally, you have knowledge of human clinical or veterinary testing and procedures, but operations leadership experience fromanyindustry required.

  • Ideally, you will have experience working in a laboratory. Experience setting up, running, reading lab tests, and operating laboratory equipment (microscopes and/or clinical diagnostic analyzers) would be a plus.

  • You thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume, innovative work environment.

  • You are passionate about people leadership.

  • You are excited about the opportunity to use your skills and abilities in promoting the health and well-being of animals.

  • You can work a full-time schedule that may vary slightly based on business needs.

  • You are able to meet the physical requirements that go with working in a lab: standing and sitting for extended periods of time, phone & computer use, extended reach, lifting up to 50lb, and specific vision ability - close, color, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

  • This is a laboratory, so there is potential exposure to biohazards, agents known to cause zoonotic diseases, and hazardous chemicals.

Schedule:

  • This is a full time (40 hour/week),night-shiftposition with scheduled shiftsMonday - Friday 4am-12:30pm

  • The shifts and hours may vary depending on business needs

  • Reliable and dependable attendance is an essential function of the position

  • Adherence to attendance-related policies and expectations is critical to this position

Why IDEXX?

We're proud of the work we do, because our work matters. An innovation leader in every industry we serve, we follow our Purpose and Guiding Principles to help pet owners worldwide keep their companion animals healthy and happy, to ensure safe drinking water for billions, and to help farmers protect livestock and poultry from disease.

We have customers in over 175 countries and a collaborative global workforce. Our culture is one that embraces challenges and encourages learning and discovery. At IDEXX, you'll be supported by competitive compensation, incentives, and benefits while enjoying purposeful work that drives improvement.

Knowing our work makes a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of pets and people is what motivates us every day. If meaningful work and a sense of purpose are at the top of your list, you'll find it here.

Let's pursue what matters together.

IDEXX values a diverse workforce and workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

IDEXX is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this role.

In this Laboratory Operations Supervisor role, you will work on site in our___lab.
Does this sound like the opportunity for you? Apply today!

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