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The differences between analytical laboratory technicians and quality control technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an analytical laboratory technician, becoming a quality control technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an analytical laboratory technician has an average salary of $41,538, which is higher than the $40,337 average annual salary of a quality control technician.
The top three skills for an analytical laboratory technician include lab equipment, analytical lab and HPLC. The most important skills for a quality control technician are lab equipment, quality control tests, and test results.
| Analytical Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $41,538 | $40,337 |
| Hourly rate | $19.97 | $19.39 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 50,750 | 98,407 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
An analytical laboratory technician is responsible for operating various equipment to perform laboratory research and investigations under a professional scientist's supervision. Analytical laboratory technicians ensure the laboratory and machinery's safety and cleanliness to avoid potential hazards and keep accurate laboratory results. They also manage the adequacy of laboratory inventories, create purchase requests, and document findings for reference. An analytical laboratory technician must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in performing examinations accordingly while following strict safety protocols and regulatory policies.
Usually assigned in a manufacturing plant, a quality control technician's role focuses on testing and assessing materials before, after, and during a production process to ensure its efficiency. They also have responsibilities in implementing the policies and regulations of the company, all to maintain a safe and productive working environment for every employee. Furthermore, a quality control technician must produce necessary reports and documentation, coordinate with managers and supervisors, maintain accurate documentation, and oversee a team to secure quality standard outcomes.
Analytical laboratory technicians and quality control technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Analytical Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Technician | |
| Average salary | $41,538 | $40,337 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $53,000 | Between $31,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Elizabethtown, KY | Baltimore, MD |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Zoetis | Boehringer Ingelheim |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an analytical laboratory technician and a quality control technician in terms of educational background:
| Analytical Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between analytical laboratory technicians' and quality control technicians' demographics:
| Analytical Laboratory Technician | Quality Control Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0% | Male, 63.1% Female, 36.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 9.3% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 8.1% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 6% |