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The differences between analytical laboratory technicians and quality laboratory 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 laboratory technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an analytical laboratory technician has an average salary of $41,538, which is higher than the $38,902 average annual salary of a quality laboratory technician.
The top three skills for an analytical laboratory technician include lab equipment, analytical lab and HPLC. The most important skills for a quality laboratory technician are lab equipment, quality lab, and test results.
| Analytical Laboratory Technician | Quality Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $41,538 | $38,902 |
| Hourly rate | $19.97 | $18.70 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 50,750 | 104,887 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| 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.
A Quality Laboratory Technician ensures that lab procedures and equipment meet a certain standard, as well as monitors production. They maintain quality service and a safe and healthy work environment through following organization standards.
Analytical laboratory technicians and quality laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Analytical Laboratory Technician | Quality Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $41,538 | $38,902 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $53,000 | Between $31,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Elizabethtown, KY | Hillsboro, OR |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Idaho |
| Best paying company | Zoetis | OMNOVA Solutions |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an analytical laboratory technician and a quality laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Analytical Laboratory Technician | Quality Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between analytical laboratory technicians' and quality laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Analytical Laboratory Technician | Quality Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0% | Male, 54.1% Female, 45.9% |
| 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, 9.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 7.5% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 6% |