Analytical laboratory technician vs research laboratory technician

The differences between analytical laboratory technicians and research 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 research 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 $38,308 average annual salary of a research laboratory technician.

The top three skills for an analytical laboratory technician include lab equipment, analytical lab and HPLC. The most important skills for a research laboratory technician are patients, chemistry, and laboratory equipment.

Analytical laboratory technician vs research laboratory technician overview

	Analytical Laboratory Technician	Research Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary	$41,538	$38,308
Hourly rate	$19.97	$18.42
Growth rate	4%	9%
Number of jobs	50,750	86,476
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	44	40
Years of experience	2	4

What does an analytical laboratory technician do?

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.

What does a research laboratory technician do?

Research laboratory technicians play a vital role in scientific laboratories. They perform varied duties and responsibilities, which include setting up, operating, and maintaining the laboratory equipment, assisting in laboratory-based research activities such as sampling, testing, and analyzing results, and providing technical support to the laboratory team members. In addition, they are expected to support the development and advancement of science and modern medicine. Other typical duties of research laboratory technicians include preparing samples and specimens, keeping abreast with current technical developments, and ensuring strict compliance with safety procedures.

Analytical laboratory technician vs research laboratory technician salary

Analytical laboratory technicians and research laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Analytical Laboratory Technician	Research Laboratory Technician
Average salary	$41,538	$38,308
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $53,000	Between $30,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	Elizabethtown, KY	Chicago, IL
Highest paying state	Maryland	Illinois
Best paying company	Zoetis	Accenture
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Manufacturing

Differences between analytical laboratory technician and research laboratory technician education

There are a few differences between an analytical laboratory technician and a research laboratory technician in terms of educational background:

	Analytical Laboratory Technician	Research Laboratory Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Chemistry	Biology
Most common college	Stanford University	Cornell University

Analytical laboratory technician vs research laboratory technician demographics

Here are the differences between analytical laboratory technicians' and research laboratory technicians' demographics:

	Analytical Laboratory Technician	Research Laboratory Technician
Average age	44	40
Gender ratio	Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0%	Male, 49.0% Female, 51.0%
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, 12.3% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 15.7% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5%
LGBT Percentage	9%	6%

Differences between analytical laboratory technician and research laboratory technician duties and responsibilities

Analytical laboratory technician example responsibilities.

Lead aerobic, anaerobic and UV light testing, chemical residue testing and centrifuge to separate chemicals from water.
Analyze raw materials and finish products using HPLC, UV, GC, and FTIR according to specifications.
Acquire extensive knowledge of GMP and FDA regulations as well as specifications.
Prepare and analyze calibration curves and daily QC standards on GC and HPLC using ChemStation software.
Maintain and operate laboratory equipment and commendably troubleshoot and resolve an assortment of laboratory testing analyzers and perform diverse chemical tests.
Maintain and operate laboratory equipment and commendably troubleshoot and resolve an assortment of laboratory testing analyzers and perform diverse chemical tests.

Research laboratory technician example responsibilities.

Manage RT-PCR screening of candidate genes.
Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
Use many scientific techniques to collect and analyze RNA, DNA, and specific proteins from lines of potato plants.
Preform computational molecular simulation of DNA and RNA.
Retain patients from previous research projects and update database using patient histories and correlating pertinent medical data.
Work with non human primates in an HIV testing laboratory.

Analytical laboratory technician vs research laboratory technician skills

Common analytical laboratory technician skills

Lab Equipment, 7%
Analytical Lab, 6%
HPLC, 6%
Chromatography, 5%
Wet Chemistry, 4%
Analytical Methods, 4%

Common research laboratory technician skills

Patients, 9%
Chemistry, 7%
Laboratory Equipment, 7%
Cell Culture, 5%
Research Data, 4%
Research Projects, 4%

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Analytical Laboratory Technician
Analytical Laboratory Technician vs Research Laboratory Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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