Lab Associate Jobs
Lab Associate jobs are open across clinical diagnostics, pharmaceutical research, and environmental testing, hiring from entry-level technician roles to senior associate positions in hospitals, biotech firms, contract research organizations, and university research centers. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!
Organization:
SSL-Sutter Shared Lab-BayPosition Overview:
Performs duties related to receiving, handling and processing specimens for Laboratory testing. Receives, sorts and accessions specimens, assigning to appropriate pre-analytic and analytic workflow. Performs basic post-analytic tasks, including distributing reports, storing and/or retrieving specimens. Completes quality-related tasks such as documentation of work, maintaining a clean, stocked and safe work area, and monitoring pending work, as well as escalating priority work. Operates and/or uses basic pre-analytic lab equipment. Adheres to all local/state/federal regulations, codes, policies and procedures to ensure privacy and safety while delivering optimal patient care.Job Description:
EDUCATION:
High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)
TYPICAL EXPERIENCE:
1 year recent relevant experience
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
Advanced knowledge and practices of standard principles, processes, procedures, and equipment related to: 1) ordering Laboratory testing and 2) handling and processing biological specimens routinely submitted to the Laboratory for analysis.
Ability to accurately, precisely, and reliably perform job duties and assigned tasks.
Ability to organize and prioritize job duties and assigned tasks for completion within expected timeframes.
Workflow Management Ability to appropriately respond to:1) fluctuations in volume. 2) unexpected situations or problems such as equipment or information systems failure; 3) shift-to-shift hand-offs; 4) STAT test orders; 5) specimen integrity issues and 6) regular review of pending logs, priority assignments, etc.
Ability to follow standard practices, processes, and procedures in sequence.
Solid critical thinking in applying knowledge and decision-making.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Knowledge of applicable local/state/federal regulations, codes, policies, and procedures aimed at ensuring the privacy and safety of patients.
Ability to work in a collaborative setting where the communication of current, factual, and relevant work information is required.
Knowledge of and ability to recognize and appropriately escalate complex and unusual deviations, problems, unusual occurrences and unexpected outcomes.
These Principal Accountabilities, Requirements and Qualifications are not exhaustive, but are merely the most descriptive of the current job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, staff changes, workload, or technical development).
Job Shift:
EveningsSchedule:
Full TimeShift Hours:
8Days of the Week:
Monday - FridayWeekend Requirements:
Rotating WeekendsBenefits:
YesUnions:
NoPosition Status:
Non-ExemptWeekly Hours:
40Employee Status:
RegularSutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Pay Range is $35.59 to $49.82 / hour
The posted pay range is based on the position's primary work location. Candidates who reside and work outside of that location may be subject to a different pay range based on their work location. Candidate starting salaries consider multiple factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, departmental equity, training, and organizational needs. Base pay is only one component of Sutter Health’s comprehensive total rewards program. Eligible positions also include a comprehensive benefits package.
We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!
Organization:
SSL-Sutter Shared Lab-BayPosition Overview:
Performs duties related to receiving, handling and processing specimens for Laboratory testing. Receives, sorts and accessions specimens, assigning to appropriate pre-analytic and analytic workflow. Performs basic post-analytic tasks, including distributing reports, storing and/or retrieving specimens. Completes quality-related tasks such as documentation of work, maintaining a clean, stocked and safe work area, and monitoring pending work, as well as escalating priority work. Operates and/or uses basic pre-analytic lab equipment. Adheres to all local/state/federal regulations, codes, policies and procedures to ensure privacy and safety while delivering optimal patient care.Job Description:
EDUCATION:
High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)
TYPICAL EXPERIENCE:
1 year recent relevant experience
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
Advanced knowledge and practices of standard principles, processes, procedures, and equipment related to: 1) ordering Laboratory testing and 2) handling and processing biological specimens routinely submitted to the Laboratory for analysis.
Ability to accurately, precisely, and reliably perform job duties and assigned tasks.
Ability to organize and prioritize job duties and assigned tasks for completion within expected timeframes.
Workflow Management Ability to appropriately respond to:1) fluctuations in volume. 2) unexpected situations or problems such as equipment or information systems failure; 3) shift-to-shift hand-offs; 4) STAT test orders; 5) specimen integrity issues and 6) regular review of pending logs, priority assignments, etc.
Ability to follow standard practices, processes, and procedures in sequence.
Solid critical thinking in applying knowledge and decision-making.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Knowledge of applicable local/state/federal regulations, codes, policies, and procedures aimed at ensuring the privacy and safety of patients.
Ability to work in a collaborative setting where the communication of current, factual, and relevant work information is required.
Knowledge of and ability to recognize and appropriately escalate complex and unusual deviations, problems, unusual occurrences and unexpected outcomes.
These Principal Accountabilities, Requirements and Qualifications are not exhaustive, but are merely the most descriptive of the current job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, staff changes, workload, or technical development).
Job Shift:
EveningsSchedule:
Full TimeShift Hours:
8Days of the Week:
Monday - FridayWeekend Requirements:
Rotating WeekendsBenefits:
YesUnions:
NoPosition Status:
Non-ExemptWeekly Hours:
40Employee Status:
RegularSutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Pay Range is $35.59 to $49.82 / hour
The posted pay range is based on the position's primary work location. Candidates who reside and work outside of that location may be subject to a different pay range based on their work location. Candidate starting salaries consider multiple factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, departmental equity, training, and organizational needs. Base pay is only one component of Sutter Health’s comprehensive total rewards program. Eligible positions also include a comprehensive benefits package.
Lab Associate Jobs by Experience Level
See All 223+ Lab Associate Jobs
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Find Lab Associate JobsLab Associate Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Quest Diagnostics12
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill11
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital8
- BJC HealthCare7
- Rutgers University7
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Science & Research
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Technology & Software
- Medical Devices
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in lab associate jobs.
- Associate or bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, clinical laboratory science, or a related field
- Hands-on experience with laboratory instruments such as centrifuges, pipettes, PCR machines, or analyzers
- Knowledge of standard laboratory safety protocols, including proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials
- Familiarity with laboratory information systems or data management software used to record and track results
- ASCP certification or eligibility, particularly for clinical and hospital laboratory positions
- Ability to follow detailed written protocols with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
Tips for Your Lab Associate Job Search
Tailor your resume to the lab type
A clinical lab associate resume should lead with specimen handling and quality control experience, while a research lab resume should front-load assay development and data analysis. Matching your resume's language to the specific lab environment gets you past automated screening.
List every instrument you have used
Hiring managers scan for specific equipment names, so list centrifuges, PCR machines, spectrophotometers, or any analyzers you have operated. A vague phrase like 'laboratory equipment' is far less effective than naming the exact models or platforms you know.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists lab associate openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Address certification gaps before applying
Many clinical and hospital lab postings require ASCP certification or a state license. If you are close to eligibility, note your expected exam date on your resume so recruiters do not automatically disqualify you before you can complete the credential.
Prepare a practical skills walkthrough for interviews
Lab associate interviews often include a technical component where you describe a protocol you have run from start to finish. Practice walking through a standard procedure, naming each step, the controls you used, and how you handled a result that fell outside expected range.
Follow up with specifics after your interview
A follow-up note that references a specific instrument, assay, or workflow discussed during the interview stands out more than a generic thank-you. It signals genuine interest and shows you were engaged with the technical details of the role.
Lab Associate Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most lab associates?
Quest Diagnostics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are hiring the most lab associates right now, with openings concentrated in California, Massachusetts, and Tennessee, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Contract research organizations and hospital networks tend to post the highest volume of openings at any given time.
How many lab associate jobs are remote?
About 12% of lab associate openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, which is lower than most professional roles because bench work requires physical presence. The sub-areas most likely to include remote components are data analysis, lab informatics, and quality documentation roles where results review and reporting can be done off-site.
How do you become a lab associate?
You typically start by completing an associate or bachelor's degree in a life science such as biology, chemistry, or clinical laboratory science. From there, gaining hands-on experience through internships, coursework labs, or entry-level technician roles builds the practical skills employers look for. Pursuing certification through a body like ASCP strengthens your candidacy significantly for clinical positions.
Can you get hired as a lab associate with little experience?
Yes, many employers hire candidates with limited formal work history if you can demonstrate hands-on technique from coursework or volunteer research. Emphasizing specific procedures you have performed, even in an academic setting, matters more than job titles. Entry-level postings at contract labs, reference labs, and university core facilities are often structured to train candidates who show strong foundational skills.
What does the lab associate interview process look like?
Most lab associate interviews include a phone screen with HR, followed by a technical interview with a lab manager or lead where you walk through your hands-on experience in detail. Some employers add a practical assessment or ask you to describe how you would handle a protocol deviation or an out-of-range result. References from supervisors who can speak to your bench skills are commonly requested before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to lab associate jobs?
You can find and apply to lab associate jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your background, whether in clinical diagnostics, pharmaceutical research, or environmental testing, and apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 223+ Lab Associate Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Lab Associate Jobs