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Brookhaven National Laboratory

Cryo-EM Scientist

Upton, NY · On-site

$103K - $138K/yr

The national cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) center, the Laboratory for BioMolecular Structure (LBMS) at Brookhaven National Laboratory, provides sample preparation, screening, and high-resolution ...

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How much do national laboratory jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for national laboratory in the United States is $22.53, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $24.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is it hard to get a job at a national lab?

Securing a job at a national laboratory can be competitive due to high standards for education, experience, and security clearances. Applicants often need relevant degrees, technical skills, and sometimes prior research or laboratory experience. The hiring process may involve multiple interviews and background checks, making it a rigorous but attainable process for qualified candidates.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

In a national laboratory setting, high-paying roles such as senior technical specialists or project managers can earn around $10,000 per month, often requiring extensive experience, specialized skills, or certifications rather than a formal degree. These positions typically involve overseeing complex projects, managing teams, or working with advanced technology, and may require expertise in areas like engineering, data analysis, or scientific research.

What is a National Laboratory?

A National Laboratory is a government-funded research facility dedicated to scientific and technological research in areas crucial to national interests, such as energy, security, and the environment. In the United States, National Laboratories are primarily managed by the Department of Energy and are staffed by scientists, engineers, and other professionals. These labs conduct advanced research, develop new technologies, and support public and private sector innovation. They often collaborate with universities, industry, and other government agencies to address complex scientific challenges.

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

To thrive at a National Laboratory, you generally need advanced education in a STEM field, strong research skills, and relevant laboratory experience. Familiarity with specialized laboratory equipment, data analysis software, and adherence to safety protocols is typically required, along with certifications depending on the research area. Critical thinking, collaboration, and effective communication are essential soft skills for excelling in multidisciplinary teams and sharing complex findings. These skills ensure high-quality research, innovation, and compliance with rigorous scientific and safety standards.

Do national laboratories pay well?

National laboratory jobs generally offer competitive salaries that reflect the specialized skills and security clearances required. Compensation varies by position, experience, and location, with many roles also providing benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans. Overall, salaries are often comparable to or higher than industry averages for similar scientific and technical roles.

Which national lab pays the most?

Among national laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are known to offer some of the highest salaries for research scientists and engineers. Compensation varies based on experience, education, and security clearance levels, with specialized roles often earning higher pay. These labs also provide benefits such as bonuses, overtime, and opportunities for career advancement.

What are some common challenges faced when working at a national laboratory, and how can new employees overcome them?

Working at a national laboratory often involves navigating complex, multidisciplinary projects and collaborating with experts from various scientific and technical backgrounds. New employees may initially find the scale and pace of research, as well as the regulatory and safety requirements, to be challenging. To overcome these hurdles, it’s helpful to proactively seek mentorship, participate in team meetings, and take advantage of training resources provided by the lab. Building strong communication skills and a willingness to learn from colleagues can also greatly ease the transition and contribute to success in this environment.
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National Laboratory jobs near you
Infographic showing various National Laboratory job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 2% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 8% Contract, and 4% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,864 per year, or $22.5 per hour.
Manager, National Laboratory Operations

Manager, National Laboratory Operations

Quest Diagnostics

Lenexa, KS • On-site

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

ExamOne rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

88th of 103 rated laboratories

Job description

Job Description
The Manager of National Laboratory Operations supports all national and local Operations projects in the enterprise-wide effort to drive growth and operational excellence, and to provide technical and operational expertise to regional and esoteric laboratories. This role will partner with National and Local Laboratory Operations leaders to develop standardized processes relating to the management of an efficient workflow, medical quality and reporting of results on equipment and laboratory information systems. These positions are aligned to specific lab divisions including technical testing departments, specimen management, or other critical areas within the laboratory operation.
This is a Remote opportunity.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities could Include, but are not limited to:
  • Lead cross-functional projects to improve lab efficiency, standardization, turnaround times, and other quality outcomes.
  • Coordinates across many stakeholders and ensures delivery of measurable results
  • Partner with IT to implement and optimize system-enabled solutions.
  • Manage a portfolio of projects, ensuring scope, timelines, and budgets are met.
  • Supervise and coach Analysts and Specialists, providing guidance on project tasks and professional development.
  • Ensure project outcomes are documented and reported to leadership.
  • Monitor adoption of SOPs and LIS workflows across participating labs.
  • Support standardization efforts
  • Act as a liaison between national leaders, Operations, and IT to drive requirements and standards for instrument interfaces relating to eRFS development queue and QCM.
  • Participate in teams to coordinate resolution with Medical/ national leaders /IT/regional ops instrument interface issues
  • Liaison between operations and suppliers to resolve issues relating to interface development
  • Assist IT/LIS and the lab to resolve issues that surface
  • Network Optimization interface and management report development and support

Qualifications
Required Work Experience:
  • 5-7 years in lab operations, project management, or healthcare IT.
  • Laboratory Leadership experience is a must
  • HT/HTL certification is a must
  • Experience leading multi-site projects and implementing IT/LIS changes.
  • Technical experience in standard LIS functionality, instrument interface use and workflow management
  • Process improvement - understanding of process flow
  • Testing processes and standards focused on quality service and efficiency
  • Regulatory compliance and resolving compliance issues

Skills:
  • Strong leadership and project management skills.
  • Ability to manage complex stakeholder groups.
  • Working knowledge of LIS and lab IT systems.
  • Analytical, strategic, and effective communicator.

Required:
  • These roles may lead teams of specialists and/or analysts directly. Indirectly leads operations leaders across the company through projects and change management.
  • Travel 25-50%

Education
  • Bachelor's Degree required.
  • Bachelor's degree in science or related field strongly preferred if supporting a technical testing discipline (Preferred)

About the Team
Quest Diagnostics honors our service members and encourages veterans to apply.
While we appreciate and value our staffing partners, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Quest will not be responsible for paying agency fees for any individual as to whom an agency has sent an unsolicited resume.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets or any other legally protected status.

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