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The differences between accessioners and laboratory assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an accessioner and a laboratory assistant. Additionally, a laboratory assistant has an average salary of $34,168, which is higher than the $32,627 average annual salary of an accessioner.
The top three skills for an accessioner include laboratory specimens, laboratory analysis and lab tests. The most important skills for a laboratory assistant are patients, phlebotomy, and customer service.
| Accessioner | Laboratory Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $32,627 | $34,168 |
| Hourly rate | $15.69 | $16.43 |
| Growth rate | - | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 59,541 | 50,853 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 37% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
An accessioner works at laboratories where they are primarily in charge of managing and organizing specimens, assisting scientists as needed. Their responsibilities include receiving and verifying samples, labeling and preparing specimens according to its purpose, updating databases, disposing of waste properly, and examining samples for any contamination. They may also answer client and staff inquiries, providing them with accurate information such as timelines and results. Furthermore, as an accessioner, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff and adhere to the laboratory's rules and regulations to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.
Laboratory assistants work for researchers, scientists, or professors in the laboratory setting. They are expected to have a solid background in the field of study of the laboratory they are assigned to. They do a variety of tasks in the laboratory, such as setting up equipment, observing experiments, analyzing results, creating reports, and recommending improvements to the testing. They may also be assigned to clean and sanitize laboratory equipment as needed. Laboratory assistants should have good research skills, analytical skills, and organizational skills.
Accessioners and laboratory assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Accessioner | Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average salary | $32,627 | $34,168 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $45,000 | Between $26,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Anchorage, AK | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Zoetis | UST Global |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an accessioner and a laboratory assistant in terms of educational background:
| Accessioner | Laboratory Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 37% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | New York University | New York University |
Here are the differences between accessioners' and laboratory assistants' demographics:
| Accessioner | Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 25.6% Female, 74.4% | Male, 43.6% Female, 56.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 11.8% White, 53.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 13.9% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |