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The differences between analytical laboratory technicians and technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an analytical laboratory technician and a technician. Additionally, an analytical laboratory technician has an average salary of $41,538, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.
The top three skills for an analytical laboratory technician include lab equipment, analytical lab and HPLC. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Analytical Laboratory Technician | Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $41,538 | $38,045 |
| Hourly rate | $19.97 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 50,750 | 596,842 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
Analytical laboratory technicians and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Analytical Laboratory Technician | Technician | |
| Average salary | $41,538 | $38,045 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $53,000 | Between $24,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Elizabethtown, KY | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Zoetis | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between an analytical laboratory technician and a technician in terms of educational background:
| Analytical Laboratory Technician | Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | - |
Here are the differences between analytical laboratory technicians' and technicians' demographics:
| Analytical Laboratory Technician | Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0% | Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8% |
| 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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 2% |