11 of the Best Types of Lab Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Lab jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Lab Jobs

• Lab Director

  Salary range: $106,000 - $138,500

  A director is a low-level executive in a company or organization that is responsible for a particular project, region, or division. A director of a company is employed to manage the day-to-day business activities of a group or division within an organization. There are different types of directors, but they are all tasked with leading others and meeting the goals of the organization. Directors plan, execute and manage to reach a goal. For example, the sales director would oversee the sales for a particular product or area. An HR director would be tasked with screening applicants and hiring the right candidates, making sure to comply with all employment laws and settling any personnel issues.

• Lab Manager

  Salary range: $70,000 - $111,000

  Managers supervise a team of people; they establish goals, assign tasks, and measure progress. The specific responsibilities of someone in a management position will vary based on the company and industry they work in, but their primary responsibilities remain largely the same. Managers monitor the accomplishments of their staff, focusing on the overall goals of the department. They work with Human Resources to determine and address staffing needs, coordinate and delegate responsibilities, check employee performance, and provide additional training and direction when necessary.

• Lab Coordinator

  Salary range: $44,000 - $67,000

  The qualifications that you need to start a career as a lab coordinator include a relevant degree and experience working in entry-level and mid-level positions in a lab setting. The type of degree that you need for this career depends on the field in which you work. For example, if you work in a chemical lab, you would need a degree in chemistry or chemical engineering. Most employers expect at least a bachelor’s degree, and they usually prefer applicants with a master’s degree or an equivalent amount of job experience. You need teaching skills to train lab workers in proper techniques.

• Virtual Lab

  Salary range: $40,000 - $58,000

  A virtual job refers to a job that can be performed outside of an employer’s office. Also known as remote, work from home, or telecommuting jobs, these positions have become increasingly common because of technology like telephones, internet, email, and video conference calls, which help to facilitate employer-employee communication.

• Summer Lab

  Salary range: $40,000 - $58,000

  Summer jobs are an integral part of American culture for students in their teens and beyond, but not all summer jobs are created equal. The difference between a great summer and an awful one can be the right job. According to Forbes, some good summer jobs for teens are camp counselor, golf caddy, nanny, food service, retail sales, and, of course, internships.

• Temp Lab

  Salary range: $40,000 - $58,000

  Temp Lab is a typical job search query. Most salaries for Temp Lab jobs pay between $40,000 (25th percentile) and $58,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Temp Lab job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Per Diem Lab

  Salary range: $40,000 - $58,000

  Per diem jobs are short-term positions which are paid by the day. The most common per diem job opportunities are in the medical field, including positions in nursing, hospice, pediatrics, and midwifery. Phlebotomists, operating (OR) assistants, and pharmacists may also work on a per diem basis. Per diem employees are often contracted to work as admissions coordinators, recreation coordinators, and assistants.

• Entry Level Lab

  Salary range: $35,000 - $54,000

  Entry-level jobs are positions that do not require any previous experience in the role. Most entry-level jobs are aimed at high school or college graduates as a starting point for a future career goal. A college student may have majored in their ideal career field, but will still need to start in an entry-level position to train in a real-world environment. Some students move from internships into entry-level jobs, but most entry-level jobs do not expect a candidate to have any prior employment or on-site training.

• Lab Trainee

  Salary range: $32,000 - $50,500

  The requirements to get a trainee job vary by industry. In some, such as architecture or accounting, you must graduate from an accredited college program before you can begin work. Other industries, such as retail, manufacturing, or telemarketing, may require only a high school diploma or a GED certificate to begin a training program. No matter what profession you are interested in, you should have strong verbal and written communication and an interest in continuing the career.

• Temporary Lab

  Salary range: $38,000 - $50,500

  A Temporary job is an employment arrangement in which both parties, the employee and employer, agree in advance that the position will be filled for a set period. Temporary jobs often are based on employers’ seasonal or specific project needs. Occasionally, Temporary employees will be offered ongoing, full-time positions if their performance is excellent and a position is available. However, you should not assume this will be the case.

• Lab Apprentice

  Salary range: $34,000 - $44,000

  Lab Apprentice is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Lab Apprentice jobs pay between $34,000 (25th percentile) and $44,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Lab Apprentice job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.