Assist biological and medical scientists in laboratories. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.
U.S. Workers
76,190
Median Salary
$52,000
10-Year Growth
+3.5%
Annual Openings
9,100
Typical entry: Bachelor's degree
18 of 18 tasks have some AI capability
Exposure Trend
This score reflects estimated AI technical capability for tasks in this occupation. It does not predict employment changes, and it does not account for company-specific constraints, regulation, or adoption barriers.
Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
AI: Fully automatable - AI and automation systems already operate and interface with computers, instrumentation, robotics, and high‑tech industrial equipment to carry out many routine technical duties.
Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
AI: Fully automatable - Sensor networks, lab information systems, and automated logging can continuously monitor experiments and record production/test data without human intervention.
Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
AI: Fully automatable - Automated logging systems and AI agents can reliably record, timestamp, and summarize work activities with minimal human intervention.
Input data into databases.
AI: Fully automatable - Data entry into databases is readily automated via RPA, APIs, and NLP extraction tools with high accuracy for structured and semi-structured inputs.
Feed livestock or laboratory animals.
AI: Fully automatable - Many farms and labs already use automated feeders and robotic systems to deliver routine diets, so feeding can be fully automated in most contexts.
Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing or animal feed.
AI: Fully automatable - Precision balances and robotic liquid‑handling systems routinely measure and weigh compounds accurately without human intervention.
Place orders for laboratory equipment and supplies.
AI: Fully automatable - Procurement workflows for routine laboratory equipment and supplies are readily automatable through catalog integration, approval workflows, and autonomous ordering systems.
Conduct research or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
AI: Partial - AI and autonomous platforms can assist planning and perform some sample collection (e.g., drones, automated samplers), but comprehensive research and many field/sample-collection tasks still require human skills and judgment.
Participate in the research, development, or manufacturing of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations.
AI: Partial - AI can substantially support R&D and manufacturing (design, analysis, process optimization), but hands-on production, regulatory compliance, and complex decision-making continue to require human expertise.
Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
AI: Partial - AI can perform statistical analysis and draft interpretations for many routine experiments but lacks the full contextual judgment and domain-specific troubleshooting needed to autonomously produce final reports in all cases.
Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
AI: Partial - AI can provide extensive remote technical guidance, documentation, and diagnostics across disciplines but cannot fully replace hands-on, specialized field services and nuanced expert judgment.
Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.
AI: Partial - Some specimen isolation and preparation steps are automatable with robotics, but many specimen types and unpredictable conditions still require skilled human manipulation and judgment.
Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.
AI: Partial - AI can assist with diagnostics, calibration procedures, and remote control, yet many setup, maintenance and complex troubleshooting tasks still need human technicians on site.
Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.
AI: Partial - Basic cleaning and supply preparation can be automated in controlled settings, but comprehensive cleaning, contamination control, and varied lab prep still rely on human labor and oversight.
Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses to evaluate the quantity or quality of physical or chemical substances in food or other products.
AI: Partial - Automated analyzers and high‑throughput instruments perform standardized assays, but sample preparation, QC, and troubleshooting still require human oversight.
Examine animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems.
AI: Partial - AI and image analysis can screen specimens for disease, but hands‑on animal examinations and complex diagnostic judgment still require humans.
Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.
AI: Partial - AI systems can monitor instruments, logs, and video to flag compliance issues, but final compliance assessments and corrective actions typically require human review and authority.
Conduct or supervise operational programs such as fish hatcheries, greenhouses and livestock production programs.
AI: Partial - Monitoring and control systems can automate many tasks in hatcheries, greenhouses, and livestock operations, but conducting or supervising entire programs involves complex management, regulatory, and social tasks that need humans.