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Materials Laboratory Technician

Quick Facts

Median Salary$47,202
Most Common EducationHigh school or GED
Projected 10-Year GrowthN/A
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment

What They Do

A Materials Laboratory Technician assists materials scientists in day-to-day laboratory operations involving metallic and other material elements. Performs routine technical tasks, including operating and maintaining equipment, as well as conducting analysis and experimental procedures.


Core Tasks:

  • Discard or reject products, materials, or equipment not meeting specifications.
  • Mark items with details, such as grade or acceptance-rejection status.
  • Notify supervisors or other personnel of production problems.
  • Inspect, test, or measure materials, products, installations, or work for conformance to specifications.
  • Measure dimensions of products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as rulers, calipers, gauges, or micrometers.
  • Write test or inspection reports describing results, recommendations, or needed repairs.
  • Recommend necessary corrective actions, based on inspection results.
  • Read blueprints, data, manuals, or other materials to determine specifications, inspection and testing procedures, adjustment methods, certification processes, formulas, or measuring instruments required.
  • Read dials or meters to verify that equipment is functioning at specified levels.
  • Make minor adjustments to equipment, such as turning setscrews to calibrate instruments to required tolerances.
  • Monitor production operations or equipment to ensure conformance to specifications, making necessary process or assembly adjustments.
  • Record inspection or test data, such as weights, temperatures, grades, or moisture content, and quantities inspected or graded.
  • Position products, components, or parts for testing.
  • Remove defects, such as chips, burrs, or lap corroded or pitted surfaces.
  • Collect or select samples for testing or for use as models.
  • Stack or arrange tested products for further processing, shipping, or packaging.

What to expect as a Materials Laboratory Technician

1Earn a High school or GED Diploma

44% of people achieve this level of education.

2Gain skills and experience

See Materials Laboratory Technician related courses on Tallo

3Land a job

141 openings for Materials Laboratory Technicians

Career Progression

in United States (Nation)

The career progression is an interactive way to explore careers related to Materials Laboratory Technician. Click on each career to see its associated salary, job availability, skills, and more.