Laboratory technicians salary in the UK (2025/26)
Official UK Average earnings data 2025
£26,861
Typical Annual pay range
Understanding Laboratory technicians pay in the UK
The typical laboratory technicians in the UK earns a median salary of £26,861 in 2025/26. These figures come from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), so they reflect actual reported pay rather than self-reported estimates or job-advert ranges.
The middle half of laboratory technicians earnings fall between £22,757 and £32,655 a year. That spread reflects the usual gap between newer entrants and more experienced laboratory technicians.
The mean (average) salary is higher, at £28,664. When the mean sits above the median like this, a smaller group of high earners is pulling the average up, which is why the median is the better guide to what a typical laboratory technicians actually takes home.
Where you work changes the picture: laboratory technicians pay ranges from £16,993 in South West up to £31,088 in London, a difference of £14,095 (83%). The full regional breakdown is below.
Dig deeper: see laboratory technicians pay in London or read how we source and check this data.
How pay varies by region
London is the highest-paying region for laboratory technicians at £31,088 — 16% above the UK median. South West is lowest at £16,993.
UK median £26,861
| Region | Median payUK median £26,861 | Median | Mean | vs UK median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £31,088 | £31,088 | £31,023 | +16% |
| Scotland | £30,874 | £30,874 | £34,049 | +15% |
| East of England | £28,870 | £28,870 | £27,434 | +7% |
| North West | £28,185 | £28,185 | £31,435 | +5% |
| South East | £26,800 | £26,800 | £32,236 | ±0% |
| North East | £26,317 | £26,317 | £24,636 | -2% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £25,580 | £25,580 | £27,182 | -5% |
| East Midlands | £25,012 | £25,012 | £24,642 | -7% |
| Wales | £24,334 | £24,334 | £23,545 | -9% |
| West Midlands | £23,755 | £23,755 | £24,582 | -12% |
| South West | £16,993 | £16,993 | £19,015 | -37% |
| Region | Median | vs UK |
|---|---|---|
| London £31,088 | £31,088Mean £31,023 | +16% |
| Scotland £30,874 | £30,874Mean £34,049 | +15% |
| East of England £28,870 | £28,870Mean £27,434 | +7% |
| North West £28,185 | £28,185Mean £31,435 | +5% |
| South East £26,800 | £26,800Mean £32,236 | ±0% |
| North East £26,317 | £26,317Mean £24,636 | -2% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber £25,580 | £25,580Mean £27,182 | -5% |
| East Midlands £25,012 | £25,012Mean £24,642 | -7% |
| Wales £24,334 | £24,334Mean £23,545 | -9% |
| West Midlands £23,755 | £23,755Mean £24,582 | -12% |
| South West £16,993 | £16,993Mean £19,015 | -37% |
Sorted highest median to lowest. The vertical line marks the UK median (£26,861); ‘Vs UK median’ compares each region’s median to it. Suppressed values mean ONS withheld this figure because the sample was too small to publish.
Make it local
Calculate take-home pay for your region
Choose a region above to see local laboratory technicians pay and calculate your monthly take-home after tax on the local salary page.
Back to region listHow laboratory technicians pay has changed over time
UK median annual pay for laboratory technicians by year (ONS ASHE).
Median salary
▪ 25th–75th percentile range
Pre-2021 figures mapped from SOC 2010 via ONS concordance table
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