SOC 3111 Science, engineering and technology associate professionals

Laboratory technicians Salary

Median salary £26,861 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £27,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For laboratory technicians, £28,210 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -28% versus the national average. Experienced laboratory technicians (top 25%) earn over £32,655.

About this role

Laboratory technicians prepare and maintain laboratory equipment, conduct experiments, perform tests and analyse samples under the direction of scientists and researchers. They work across scientific disciplines including chemistry, biology, physics and materials science.

Key responsibilities

Preparing laboratory equipment, chemicals and biological samples
Conducting experiments and tests following standard protocols
Recording, analysing and reporting test results
Maintaining laboratory equipment and ensuring calibration
Following health and safety and quality control procedures

Qualifications and entry routes

Typically requires a BTEC, HNC/HND or degree in a relevant science discipline. RSciTech (Registered Science Technician) or RSci status through the Science Council is the professional standard.

Career outlook

Steady demand across research, healthcare and industry. Automation is changing laboratory workflows, with increasing emphasis on data analysis and quality management skills.

Key skills

Laboratory techniques Attention to detail Data recording Equipment maintenance Health and safety compliance

Common industries

Pharmaceutical companies
NHS pathology
Universities
Food and drink manufacturing
Environmental testing

Data coverage

SOC code 3111

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 64,000

Median Salary

£26,861

Mean Salary

£28,664

Jobs (000s)

64k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £22,757Median: £26,861P75: £32,655

P10: £16kP25: £23kMedian: £27kP75: £33kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£15,821

0-2 years

Mid Level

£22,757

3-7 years

Senior

£32,655

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +106% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +37.5%Real growth: -0.4%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 9.9%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£26,861

Full-time Only

£28,210

Full-time premium: +£1,349

Laboratory technicians salary: common questions

How much do laboratory technicians earn in the UK?

Laboratory technicians earn a median of £28,210 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £22,757 and £32,655.

Is £28,210 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for laboratory technicians?

Entry-level laboratory technicians typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £22,757, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £15,821.

Have laboratory technicians salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median laboratory technicians pay has risen from £21,678 to £28,210 — +30% in cash terms, or -6.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for laboratory technicians?

Male laboratory technicians earn a median £28,650 and female laboratory technicians £25,802 — a gap of +10% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).