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Lab Support Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Quality Control Lab Technician

Covington, VA

$16.75 - $21.25/hr

Support efforts regarding continuous improvement by being an active participant on various site ... Lab work involves standing, walking, and repetitive motion with occasional lifting up to 50 pounds

Sentara Health is hiring a laboratory support technician to work full time nights in the Transfusion Lab at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, VA. (Sunday-Wednesday; 2130-0730) Overview: As ...

Material Handler I

Sterling, VA · On-site

$16.50 - $20/hr

As a Material Handler & Lab Support, you will help maintain warehouse stock and assist in fulfilling orders to meet long term growth and profitability targets. This role will serve as a point of ...

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Lab Support information

See Virginia salary details

$14

$23

$38

How much do lab support jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for lab support in Virginia is $23.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.12 and $26.20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Which lab job pays the most?

In laboratory support roles, senior positions such as Laboratory Managers or Lead Technicians tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding $70,000 annually. Specialized roles requiring advanced certifications or expertise in areas like clinical chemistry or molecular biology can also command higher pay. Salary varies based on experience, location, and the complexity of the work performed.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lab Support professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lab Support professional, you need a solid understanding of laboratory procedures, safety protocols, and basic scientific principles, often backed by a degree or coursework in a science-related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, inventory management systems, and safety certification (such as OSHA) is typically required. Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and effective communication are valuable soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure accurate experiment support, maintain a safe work environment, and enable smooth laboratory operations.

What are some common challenges faced by Lab Support professionals, and how can they be addressed?

Lab Support professionals often face challenges such as managing multiple tasks simultaneously, maintaining equipment, and ensuring compliance with safety protocols. Balancing the demands of supporting researchers while handling routine maintenance requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Effective communication with scientists and other team members can help prioritize urgent tasks and streamline workflows. Regular training and proactive equipment checks can also minimize disruptions and help Lab Support staff stay ahead of potential issues.

What qualifications do I need to be a lab assistant?

To be a lab support worker, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with basic knowledge of laboratory procedures and safety protocols. Some positions may require relevant coursework or certifications in laboratory techniques or science, and strong attention to detail and organizational skills are important.

What exactly does a lab assistant do?

A lab assistant supports laboratory operations by preparing samples, maintaining equipment, recording data, and ensuring safety protocols are followed. They often work under the supervision of scientists or technicians and may need knowledge of lab procedures and basic technical skills.

How much does a lab assistant get paid?

Lab assistants typically earn between $25,000 and $45,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the specific laboratory setting. Entry-level positions may start lower, while those with specialized skills or certifications can earn higher salaries. Pay can also vary based on whether the role is in a research, clinical, or industrial lab environment.

What are lab support roles?

Lab support roles refer to positions that assist scientists, researchers, or technicians in maintaining laboratory operations. Responsibilities typically include preparing equipment and materials, cleaning and sterilizing instruments, managing inventory, and ensuring lab safety protocols are followed. Lab support staff play a critical role in keeping experiments and research running smoothly by handling essential tasks that allow researchers to focus on scientific work. These roles can be found in academic, clinical, or industrial laboratories.

What is the difference between Lab Support vs Lab Technician?

AspectLab SupportLab Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingAssociate degree or certification in laboratory sciences
Work EnvironmentAssisting lab staff, preparing materials, cleaning equipmentPerforming tests, analyzing samples, recording data
Employer & Industry UsageHospitals, clinics, research labsMedical labs, research institutions, diagnostic centers

Lab Support roles typically involve assisting laboratory staff with preparation and maintenance tasks, requiring minimal formal education. Lab Technicians perform more technical tasks like testing and analysis, often requiring specialized certifications. Both roles are essential in laboratory settings, but Lab Technicians have more technical responsibilities and qualifications.

What job categories do people searching Lab Support jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Lab Support jobs in Virginia are:
Infographic showing various Lab Support job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,153 per year, or $23.2 per hour.
Engineering Lab Assistant - School of Engineering

Engineering Lab Assistant - School of Engineering

Liberty

Lynchburg, VA

$12.77/hr

Part-time

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

Student Engineering Lab Assistant is responsible for providing support to the students, faculty, and staff during hours of operations.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Duties will include monitoring lab activities, providing phone coverage and walk-in support to users, maintaining equipment and supplies, assisting and setting up lab experiments for classes, providing evening support and lab monitoring. Additional tasks will be maintaining and developing lab documentation, equipment testing and inventory, and other tasks related to lab support.
Student Engineering Lab Assistants are responsible for helping maintain a clean, quiet work area for students and faculty. This person needs to be a team player and have a flexible schedule. This position would report directly to the Senior Lab Manager and provide assistance when the manager is not available.

Additional information may be found here

Qualifications, Credentials, and Competencies

Minimum Qualifications:

The student must be a residential Liberty University student. Proficiency in Computer and Engineering Technology is required. Hours will vary; candidates must have the ability to work 18 hours per week. Candidates must be critical thinkers, technologically savvy and highly motivated team players. Must have and maintain a minimum of 2.5 overall GPA. Must also be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. All applicants must demonstrate a personal faith commitment to the University's evangelical Christian purpose.

Preferred Qualifications:

Students in Computer Science, Engineering, BMIS, and the CSIT programs would be ideal candidates. Successful candidates will possess excellent oral and written communication skills, customer service skills, demonstrate computer proficiency, be team focused, and possess the abilities to both follow instructions and lead others, a Christ-like attitude, and the ability to function responsibly with minimum direct supervision.

Time Type

Part time

Location

Onsite

Pay Rate

Starting at $12.77


Student employees are paid at least the current Virginia minimum wage per hour. Pay may vary by position and department based on job responsibilities, required skills, available funding, and market conditions.

The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job. All personnel related activities such as compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including all applicable state of employment protected classes. The University is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. The University's hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the "religion" component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations (including educational institutions), and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.