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Laboratory Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

UAB NOVA RENT

RESEARCHER SENIOR LEAD

Birmingham, AL · On-site

$90K/yr

This position focuses primarily on oversight of laboratory operations, regulatory compliance, and maintenance of research facilities and infrastructure. The role collaborates closely with faculty ...

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Laboratory Researcher information

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$30K

$113.1K

$164.5K

How much do laboratory researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for laboratory researcher in the United States is $113,102.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,000.00 and $154,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by laboratory researchers, and how can they be managed effectively?

Laboratory researchers often encounter challenges such as troubleshooting experimental protocols, managing time-sensitive tasks, and ensuring accuracy in data collection. Balancing multiple projects and adapting to unexpected results can be demanding, but effective organization and open communication with colleagues help address these issues. Collaborating with team members and seeking feedback from supervisors can also provide valuable support when refining experimental methods or interpreting data.

What is the difference between Laboratory Researcher vs Laboratory Technician?

AspectLaboratory ResearcherLaboratory Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's degree in science or related fieldAssociate's degree or certification in laboratory technology
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academic institutions, pharmaceutical companiesClinical labs, industrial labs, hospitals
Job FocusDesigning experiments, analyzing data, developing new methodsPerforming routine tests, maintaining equipment, preparing samples
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, biotech firms, universitiesHospitals, diagnostic labs, manufacturing plants

The main difference between a Laboratory Researcher and a Laboratory Technician lies in their roles and qualifications. Laboratory Researchers focus on designing experiments and analyzing data, often requiring higher education. Laboratory Technicians perform routine testing and sample preparation, typically with technical certifications. Both roles are essential in scientific and medical labs, but they differ in responsibilities and educational requirements.

What is the highest-paying career in a laboratory?

In laboratory settings, senior roles such as Principal Scientist, Laboratory Director, or Research Manager tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures. These positions typically require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and leadership skills, and may involve overseeing multiple projects or teams.

What kind of degree do you need to work in a research lab?

Laboratory researchers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biology, chemistry, or related sciences. Advanced positions may require a master's degree or Ph.D., along with laboratory skills and experience with scientific tools and techniques.

What does a laboratory researcher do?

A laboratory researcher conducts experiments, collects and analyzes data, and documents findings to support scientific studies. They often work with laboratory equipment, follow safety protocols, and may specialize in fields like biology, chemistry, or medicine to advance knowledge or develop new products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Laboratory Researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Laboratory Researcher, you need a solid background in scientific methods, data analysis, and a relevant degree in biology, chemistry, or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, safety protocols, and software for data collection and analysis—such as ELN systems or statistical programs—is typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork set outstanding researchers apart. These skills ensure accurate experimental results, maintain safety standards, and drive meaningful scientific discoveries.

How much do lab researchers get paid?

Laboratory researchers' salaries vary based on experience, education, location, and specialization. In general, entry-level lab researchers earn around $40,000 to $55,000 annually, while experienced professionals can earn over $70,000. Salaries are often complemented by benefits such as health insurance and opportunities for advancement.
More about Laboratory Researcher jobs
What cities are hiring for Laboratory Researcher jobs? Cities with the most Laboratory Researcher job openings:
What states have the most Laboratory Researcher jobs? States with the most job openings for Laboratory Researcher jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Laboratory Researcher jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Laboratory Researcher jobs are:
Laboratory Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Laboratory Researcher job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 2% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,102 per year, or $54.4 per hour.

Research Biological Laboratory Technician

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Salt Lake City, UT • On-site

Other

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

*Please note, there is no pay associated with this position.*
This position serves as a Without Compensation Research Biological Laboratory Technician within the Office of Research and Development (ORD). The VA Research Program strives to promote Veteran-centered care to improve patient experiences and outcomes across VA healthcare and community settings, and to advance value-driven care by providing Veterans the highest quality care at the lowest financial burden.Qualifications:To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/15/2026.
You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below. This Without Compensation position is equivalent to GS-6.
  • Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: contributing to laboratory operations through data documentation, scientific writing, teaching assistance, and lab organization/management; assisting in laboratory research involving cell culture, vascular tissue analysis, and molecular biology techniques to support biological and physiological studies. OR,
  • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have graduate education or an internship directly related to the work of the position. OR,
  • Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education that equals 100%, when the percentage of experience and education are combined.
AND

Individual Occupational Requirement:
Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): Experience must have been related to the work of the position for which application is made. The specialized experience required for some positions in this series is normally work performed in a controlled environment. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

  • Research activity or control program work.
  • Nursery work that required the growing and maintenance of plants in a controlled environment.
  • Work comparable to that with a large dairy farm where production records, animal environment, and sanitary conditions were kept in accordance with modern dairy practice.

Farming experience that was not performed in a controlled environment, or experience as a laborer who was not responsible for planning and scheduling his/her own work, but only performed assigned tasks, would not qualify as specialized experience.
AND
Selective Placement Factor: Experience carrying out computational chemistry tasks such as conformational analysis.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.Education:A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: OTHER

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