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Careers›Roles›QA Lab Tech (Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician)
Mid-Level

QA Lab Tech (Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician)

Before a product ships, someone has to verify it meets quality standards, and that's you: running the lab tests that confirm each batch is what it should be. The lab check that keeps quality consistent.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
C
I
R
E
S
A
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Investigativeanalytical, curious
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire QA Lab Tech (Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician)s
Education · 31%Professional Services · 24%Government · 14%Manufacturing · 12%Administrative Services · 8%Healthcare · 6%
Job markets for QA Lab Tech (Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician)s
Employment concentration · ~178 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
Science
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
Jump to:What it's likeCareer pathsBy the numbers
What it's like

What it's like to be a QA Lab Tech (Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician)

The work runs on testing and documentation: preparing samples, running quality tests, recording results, and flagging anything out of spec, mostly at a lab bench. A missed defect can reach the customer, so the craft is in careful, consistent technique and honest reporting — you'll work to set procedures, paced by the flow of batches or products needing checks.

The work can be steady and procedure-bound. Quality and regulatory standards govern everything, the work is detailed and somewhat repetitive, and deadlines tighten when production is waiting on results. Much of the value is invisible until something fails, and the role can sit between production's speed and quality's caution. Settings span food, pharma, manufacturing, and chemicals, each with its own standards.

Those who thrive here tend to be careful, consistent, and comfortable with exacting routine — who take pride in catching what others might miss. If you want variety, fast pace, or visible impact, the bench may feel narrow. But for those who like being the quiet checkpoint that protects quality, the work tends to be steady and dependable, batch after batch.

What people in this role value
SupportModerate
IndependenceModerate
Working ConditionsModerate
RecognitionModerate
RelationshipsModerate
AchievementLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

Earning potential across this track
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
Professional Services$92K+15%
Technology & Information$91K+13%
Energy & Utilities$82K+2%
Financial Services$81K+2%
Wholesale & Distribution$79K-1%
Compared to Science average across all industries
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all QA Lab Tech (Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician)s (SOC 19-4099.01), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Related rolesExplore Science →
QA Lab Tech (Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician)Performance Quality AuditorData Quality AnalystQuality Assurance Coordinator (QA Coordinator)Quality AnalystQuality ControllerQuality SpecialistLaboratory Technician (Lab Tech)Lab AnalystQuality AuditorLaboratory AnalystQuality Process AuditorLab Technician (Lab Tech)Quality Control Tester (QC Tester)Quality Control Auditor (QC Auditor)Quality Control Checker (QC Checker)QA Auditor (Quality Assurance Auditor)QA Tech (Quality Assurance Technician)Quality Control Specialist (QC Specialist)QA Specialist (Quality Assurance Specialist)Quality Control Lab Technician (QC Lab Tech)QA Testing Analyst (Quality Assurance Testing Analyst)Chemistry Quality Control Analyst (Chemistry QC Analyst)Chemistry Quality Control Technician (Chemistry QC Technician)
Exploring the QA Lab Tech (Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician) career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$37K–$102K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
71K
U.S. Employment
+3.5%
10yr Growth
11K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$77K$74K$71K$68K$65K201920202021202220232024$65K$77K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Quality Control AnalysisMonitoringReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingWritingOperations MonitoringSpeakingActive Learning
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
19-4099.01

Explore related roles

Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths

midPerformance Quality Auditor$82KseniorSenior Performance Quality Auditor$82KmidData Quality Analyst$103KseniorSenior Data Quality Analyst$103KmidQuality Assurance Coordinator (QA Coordinator)$91KmidQuality Analyst$71K
View all Science roles →

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.