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Laboratory Student information

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$44

How much do laboratory student jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for laboratory student in California is $24.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.99 and $27.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by laboratory students during their placements, and how can they be overcome?

Laboratory Students often face challenges such as adapting to strict safety protocols, managing time between academic and practical responsibilities, and mastering new laboratory equipment. To overcome these, it’s important to actively seek guidance from supervisors, participate in safety and equipment training sessions, and develop strong organizational skills to balance workload. Building good communication with team members and being proactive in asking questions can also help Laboratory Students integrate smoothly and gain valuable hands-on experience.

What is the difference between Laboratory Student vs Laboratory Technician?

AspectLaboratory StudentLaboratory Technician
Required CredentialsEnrolled in relevant educational programPost-secondary certification or diploma often required
Work EnvironmentEducational labs, internships, or training settingsProfessional lab settings, hospitals, research facilities
Employer & Industry UsageEducational institutions, research projectsHospitals, biotech companies, research labs
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a Laboratory Student and a Laboratory Technician is that Laboratory Students are typically enrolled in educational programs gaining hands-on experience, while Laboratory Technicians are trained professionals working full-time in lab environments. Students focus on learning and training, whereas technicians perform routine testing and lab procedures as part of their job responsibilities.

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

To thrive as a Laboratory Student, you need foundational knowledge of scientific principles, laboratory techniques, and safety protocols, typically gained through coursework in biology, chemistry, or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, data analysis software, and strict adherence to safety standards are essential. Strong attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively will set you apart. These competencies are crucial for ensuring accurate experimental results, maintaining a safe work environment, and contributing positively to research teams.

What is a laboratory student?

Laboratory students are individuals, often undergraduate or graduate students, who work in scientific labs as part of their education or training. Their responsibilities typically include assisting with experiments, collecting and analyzing data, preparing samples, and maintaining laboratory equipment. These experiences help students gain hands-on skills in scientific research and understand laboratory safety protocols. Laboratory students often work under the supervision of senior researchers or professors and may contribute to ongoing research projects.
What are popular job titles related to Laboratory Student jobs in California? For Laboratory Student jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Laboratory Student jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Laboratory Student jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Laboratory Student jobs? Cities in California with the most Laboratory Student job openings:
Laboratory Student jobs near you
Infographic showing various Laboratory Student job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 59% Full Time, 37% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,829 per year, or $24.9 per hour.

Student Assistant - Water Quality Laboratory Support

University Enterprises, Inc.

Sacramento, CA • On-site

$16.90 - $18.50/hr

Other

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Description
The City of Sacramento is seeking to hire two (2) student assistants to support operations in the Water Quality Laboratory. The student assistants will be responsible for performing laboratory glassware cleaning, quality control (QC) data charting, calibration of pipettes, graduated cylinders, and volumetric flasks, monthly balance verification, downloading data from data loggers, and other laboratory support tasks.
This role provides a valuable opportunity to shadow laboratory technicians and chemists in the collection and analysis of water samples, including drinking water and environmental water testing.
This position is open to second-year students currently enrolled in the Sacramento City College Chemical Technology Certificate Program.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
This is a part-time, temporary, non-benefited, student position. Employment in all positions with University Enterprises, Inc. is dependent upon the mutual consent of University Enterprises, Inc. and the employee. This means that either University Enterprises, Inc. or the employee can, at any time, terminate the employment relationship at will, with or without cause.
Depending on the type of position you are applying for, a pre-employment background check consisting of one or more of the following may be conducted: employment history, professional references, criminal check: educational verification (degree, license, or official transcript) or DMV clearance. Applicants will be required to pass required pre-employment checks to the satisfaction of University Enterprises, Inc. (UEI) and the hiring Agency or Department.
UEI does not allow students to hold more than one UEI Job at a time, or work in more than one account per pay period. UEI employees who are considering leaving their current UEI student assistant position for a different UEI student assistant position should inform their supervisor in writing and provide at least a week's notice.
UEI is not a multi-state employer. UEI only employs candidates who live and work in the state of California. If selected for the position you must reside in California and all work must be performed in the state of California throughout the course of employment.
Prerequisites
Must be a college student attending classes during the regular term (Fall, Spring and Winter, if applicable), at Sacramento City College in the Chemical Technology Certificate Program.
To view our current affiliation list please paste the following URL into your browser: http://www.calinterns.org/wp-content/uploads/Affiliation_List.pdf
Students must be enrolled at a minimum in six-semester units or nine-quarter units for undergraduate students; four-semester units or six-quarter units for graduate students.
Students declared major must match the major(s) listed in the job posting.
Majors/Fields of Study
Chemistry, Microbiology, Biology and/or Engineering or any related field of study.
Work Schedule
Flexible workdays and work hours, Monday - Friday, between 8 AM - 5 PM. Final work schedule to be determined by supervisor.
Additional Work Schedule
Student Assistant and Graduate Assistant employees generally work up to 24 hours per workweek (Sunday - Saturday) during the academic year and up to 40 hours per workweek during breaks; (winter, spring, and summer).
Compensation
$16.90 - $18.50 per hour.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Currently enrolled as a second-year student at Sacramento City College in the Chemical Technology Certificate program, with registration in CHEMT 297.
  • Demonstrated strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in laboratory and technical tasks.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document procedures and convey technical information clearly.
  • Basic knowledge of laboratory practices, safety protocols, and chemical handling.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented laboratory environment.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Previous experience or familiarity with water quality laboratory procedures, including sampling, analysis, and data recording.
  • Knowledge of chemical and microbiological testing methods commonly used in water quality monitoring.
  • Experience with laboratory equipment calibration, maintenance, and reagent preparation.
  • Understanding of quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) practices in a laboratory setting.
  • Ability to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and maintain accurate laboratory records.

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Calibrate and verify Class A glassware upon receipt from manufacturers to ensure accurate laboratory measurements.
  • Clean and maintain laboratory glassware following established procedures and safety protocols.
  • Preserve and prepare samples according to analysis requirements to maintain sample integrity.
  • Conduct monthly verification of analytical balances using certified weights to ensure precision in measurements.
  • Download, organize, and maintain temperature data from data loggers into electronic laboratory notebooks.
  • Perform weekly quality control (QC) charting, including field duplicates of pH, conductivity, turbidity, and other water quality parameters.
  • Prepare, standardize, and manage reagents for microbiological and chemical analyses.
  • Conduct and document routine microbiological and chemical analyses following laboratory procedures.
  • Implement and document quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) procedures to maintain laboratory compliance.
  • Adhere to all safety guidelines and good laboratory practices (GLP) to ensure a safe working environment.
  • Perform additional laboratory tasks and support as required to assist in efficient lab operations.

Physical Requirements
Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment including computer workstations, telephones, calculators, copiers, printers, and scanners with or without reasonable accommodation.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an office and laboratory environment.
Application Instructions
Please complete all fields of the employment application. Include your educational history in the "Educational Experience" section and any employment history in the "Employment Experience" section of our application.
Apply by: August 15, 2026
This position is open to second-year students currently enrolled in the Sacramento City College Chemical Technology Certificate Program.
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About University Enterprises

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

As the nation’s leading university system, the CSU has pushed the boundaries of higher education for 60 years. We remain committed to delivering quality education, while fostering a culture of inclusion and understanding for our students and valued faculty and staff.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Sacramento, CA, US

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