QA Specialist
Charles City, IA · On-site
Participates in production lab walk through audits prior/post construction projects as well as on ... Education & Experience: Associate: BA/BS with 0-2 years of experience OR Minimum of 6 years ...
QA Specialist
Charles City, IA · On-site
Participates in production lab walk through audits prior/post construction projects as well as on ... Education & Experience: Associate: BA/BS with 0-2 years of experience OR Minimum of 6 years ...
Lab Associate information
See Mason City, IA salary details
$12.43 - $14.33
7% of jobs
$14.33 - $16.23
15% of jobs
$16.57 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$16.23 - $18.13
15% of jobs
The median wage is $19.55 / hr.
$18.13 - $20.03
17% of jobs
$20.03 - $21.93
16% of jobs
$22.88 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$21.93 - $23.82
10% of jobs
$23.82 - $25.72
4% of jobs
$25.72 - $27.62
5% of jobs
$27.62 - $29.52
5% of jobs
$29.52 - $31.42
3% of jobs
$31.42 - $33.32
2% of jobs
$12
$21
$33
How much do lab associate jobs pay per hour?
As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for lab associate in Mason City, IA is $21.83, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.63 and $24.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What is a lab associate?
Lab Associates are professionals who assist in the daily operations of laboratories by performing tasks such as preparing samples, conducting basic experiments, maintaining equipment, and recording data. They typically work under the supervision of scientists or lab managers and help ensure that laboratory procedures are followed safely and accurately. Lab Associates play a crucial role in supporting research and development, quality control, or diagnostic testing in fields like healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and academia. Their responsibilities may vary depending on the specific lab setting and industry.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lab associate?
To thrive as a Lab Associate, you need a solid understanding of laboratory procedures, attention to detail, and typically a degree in a science-related field. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), standard lab equipment, and relevant safety certifications is often required. Strong organizational skills, teamwork, and effective communication set outstanding candidates apart in this role. These skills ensure accurate data collection, safe lab practices, and efficient support for scientific research or clinical testing.
What are some typical challenges a lab associate might face during day-to-day work, and how can they be addressed?
Lab Associates often encounter challenges such as managing multiple experiments simultaneously, ensuring precise documentation, and maintaining equipment. Staying organized by keeping detailed lab notes and using lab management software can help streamline workflow. Clear communication with team members and supervisors is vital to address any issues promptly and maintain a safe, efficient laboratory environment. Regularly scheduled equipment checks and proactive troubleshooting also contribute to smoother operations.
What is the difference between Lab Associate vs Laboratory Technician?
| Aspect | Lab Associate | Laboratory Technician |
|---|---|---|
| Required Credentials | High school diploma or associate degree; certifications vary | Associate degree or relevant certification; similar educational background |
| Work Environment | Hospitals, research labs, clinics | Medical labs, research facilities, industrial labs |
| Job Responsibilities | Sample collection, data entry, basic testing | Performing tests, maintaining equipment, recording results |
| Employer & Industry Usage | Healthcare, research, biotech | Medical, industrial, research sectors |
Both Lab Associates and Laboratory Technicians work in similar environments and often share educational requirements. The main difference lies in specific job duties, with Laboratory Technicians typically performing more complex tests and equipment maintenance. Understanding these distinctions can help job seekers identify the right role for their skills and career goals.
What are the most commonly searched types of Lab jobs in Mason City, IA?
The most popular types of Lab jobs in Mason City, IA are:
What cities near Mason City, IA are hiring for Lab Associate jobs?
Cities near Mason City, IA with the most Lab Associate job openings:
Zoetis rating
7.5
Based on 80 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz
65th of 86 rated pharmaceutical
Job description
Role Description
Position Summary: Work with internal manufacturing colleagues as a cross functional member and approver of Zoetis investigations. Participates in production lab walk through audits prior/post construction projects as well as on-going maintenance activities requiring Quality oversite. Provides manufacturing floor support as needed to maintain compliance with local policies and procedures. Review and approval of Environmental and manufacturing investigations and reports. Participates in/ supports regulatory inspections as well as follow up action items. Performs product related system dispositions as necessary based on local site procedures. Perform batch record reviews and reviews of other records relating to processing of components, materials and finished veterinary biological for comparison with approved specifications and regulatory requirements, as necessary to support timely release of product.
Position Responsibilities:
• Actively support, review and approve of all manufacturing/environmental/ GMP deviations as well as related items (Visual mapping boards, action items, commitments tracking, etc.) related to manufacture of veterinary biological products at the Charles City, Iowa facility.
• Conduct walks through audits as part of the paint and patch process as well as ongoing construction activities being conducted at the site. Audits may consist of pre and post reviews as well as various system verifications.
• Performs product related SAP system dispositions based on local site procedures.
• Participates in the Change Management process as a Quality SME.
• Participate in the preparation for and execution of regulatory agency inspections.
• Develop/revise, implement and maintain assigned Quality Assurance standard operating procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory and quality standards requirements.
• Perform batch record reviews and reviews of other records relating to the processing of components, materials and finished veterinary biologicals for comparison with approved specifications and regulatory requirements as necessary to support timely release of product.
• Audit manufacturing processes for compliance against internal and regulatory filings (ZQS, PP, EU dossier, other markets).
Education & Experience:
Associate: BA/BS with 0-2 years of experience OR Minimum of 6 years relevant experience.
Specialist: BA/BS with 2-4 years of experience OR Minimum of 8 years relevant experience.
• Training in CAPA, Analytical Problem Solving and Root Cause Analysis preferred. Basic problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, fluent in English.
• Proficient with the following software programs: SAP, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent organizational skills and strong ability to multi-task.
• Willingness to positively embrace change and flexibility in adjusting to changing priorities.
• Strong attention to detail, ability to work well independently and as part of a team, and to work effectively with people at all levels within the organization. • Travel may be required
Full time
Regular
Colleague
Any unsolicited resumes sent to Zoetis from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Zoetis mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Zoetis employees, or to Zoetis resume database will be considered Zoetis property. Zoetis will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.
Zoetis will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.
Notice: Zoetis Recruiters will contact candidates via email from an address ending in @zoetis.com and may also initially connect with candidates through LinkedIn, including LinkedIn InMail. Zoetis does not use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or other web-based/generic email domains to communicate about job opportunities, interviews, or offers of employment. If you receive a recruitment-related email message claiming to be from Zoetis that does not come from @zoetis.com, please treat it as suspicious. For your security, do not reply, click links, open attachments, share personal or financial information, or send money in response to unexpected or questionable recruitment communications.
Zoetis is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status or any other protected classification. Disabled individuals are given an equal opportunity to use our online application system. We offer reasonable accommodations as an alternative if requested by an individual with a disability. Please contact Zoetis Colleague Services at zoetiscolleagueservices@zoetis.com to request an accommodation. Zoetis also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act. All applicants must possess or obtain authorization to work in the US for Zoetis. Zoetis retains sole and exclusive discretion to pursue sponsorship for the acquisition or maintenance of nonimmigrant status and employment eligibility, considering factors such as availability of qualified US workers. Individuals requiring sponsorship must disclose this fact. Please note that Zoetis seeks information related to job applications from candidates for jobs in the U.S. solely via the following: (1) our company website at www.Zoetis.com/careers site, or (2) via email to/from addresses using only the Zoetis domain of "@zoetis.com". In addition, Zoetis does not use Google Hangout for any recruitment related activities. Any solicitation or request for information related to job applications with Zoetis via any other means and/or utilizing email addresses with any other domain should be disregarded. In addition, Zoetis will never ask candidates to make any type of personal financial investment related to gaining employment with Zoetis.
Position Summary: Work with internal manufacturing colleagues as a cross functional member and approver of Zoetis investigations. Participates in production lab walk through audits prior/post construction projects as well as on-going maintenance activities requiring Quality oversite. Provides manufacturing floor support as needed to maintain compliance with local policies and procedures. Review and approval of Environmental and manufacturing investigations and reports. Participates in/ supports regulatory inspections as well as follow up action items. Performs product related system dispositions as necessary based on local site procedures. Perform batch record reviews and reviews of other records relating to processing of components, materials and finished veterinary biological for comparison with approved specifications and regulatory requirements, as necessary to support timely release of product.
Position Responsibilities:
• Actively support, review and approve of all manufacturing/environmental/ GMP deviations as well as related items (Visual mapping boards, action items, commitments tracking, etc.) related to manufacture of veterinary biological products at the Charles City, Iowa facility.
• Conduct walks through audits as part of the paint and patch process as well as ongoing construction activities being conducted at the site. Audits may consist of pre and post reviews as well as various system verifications.
• Performs product related SAP system dispositions based on local site procedures.
• Participates in the Change Management process as a Quality SME.
• Participate in the preparation for and execution of regulatory agency inspections.
• Develop/revise, implement and maintain assigned Quality Assurance standard operating procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory and quality standards requirements.
• Perform batch record reviews and reviews of other records relating to the processing of components, materials and finished veterinary biologicals for comparison with approved specifications and regulatory requirements as necessary to support timely release of product.
• Audit manufacturing processes for compliance against internal and regulatory filings (ZQS, PP, EU dossier, other markets).
Education & Experience:
Associate: BA/BS with 0-2 years of experience OR Minimum of 6 years relevant experience.
Specialist: BA/BS with 2-4 years of experience OR Minimum of 8 years relevant experience.
• Training in CAPA, Analytical Problem Solving and Root Cause Analysis preferred. Basic problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, fluent in English.
• Proficient with the following software programs: SAP, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent organizational skills and strong ability to multi-task.
• Willingness to positively embrace change and flexibility in adjusting to changing priorities.
• Strong attention to detail, ability to work well independently and as part of a team, and to work effectively with people at all levels within the organization. • Travel may be required
Full time
Regular
Colleague
Any unsolicited resumes sent to Zoetis from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Zoetis mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Zoetis employees, or to Zoetis resume database will be considered Zoetis property. Zoetis will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.
Zoetis will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.
Notice: Zoetis Recruiters will contact candidates via email from an address ending in @zoetis.com and may also initially connect with candidates through LinkedIn, including LinkedIn InMail. Zoetis does not use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or other web-based/generic email domains to communicate about job opportunities, interviews, or offers of employment. If you receive a recruitment-related email message claiming to be from Zoetis that does not come from @zoetis.com, please treat it as suspicious. For your security, do not reply, click links, open attachments, share personal or financial information, or send money in response to unexpected or questionable recruitment communications.
Zoetis is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status or any other protected classification. Disabled individuals are given an equal opportunity to use our online application system. We offer reasonable accommodations as an alternative if requested by an individual with a disability. Please contact Zoetis Colleague Services at zoetiscolleagueservices@zoetis.com to request an accommodation. Zoetis also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act. All applicants must possess or obtain authorization to work in the US for Zoetis. Zoetis retains sole and exclusive discretion to pursue sponsorship for the acquisition or maintenance of nonimmigrant status and employment eligibility, considering factors such as availability of qualified US workers. Individuals requiring sponsorship must disclose this fact. Please note that Zoetis seeks information related to job applications from candidates for jobs in the U.S. solely via the following: (1) our company website at www.Zoetis.com/careers site, or (2) via email to/from addresses using only the Zoetis domain of "@zoetis.com". In addition, Zoetis does not use Google Hangout for any recruitment related activities. Any solicitation or request for information related to job applications with Zoetis via any other means and/or utilizing email addresses with any other domain should be disregarded. In addition, Zoetis will never ask candidates to make any type of personal financial investment related to gaining employment with Zoetis.
About Zoetis
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Industry
Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing
Company size
5,001 - 10,000 Employees
Headquarters location
Morristown, NJ, US
Year founded
1950