Archaeological technician vs laboratory analyst

The differences between archaeological technicians and laboratory analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an archaeological technician and a laboratory analyst. Additionally, a laboratory analyst has an average salary of $44,024, which is higher than the $35,787 average annual salary of an archaeological technician.

The top three skills for an archaeological technician include GPS, GIS and excavations. The most important skills for a laboratory analyst are test methods, lab equipment, and lims.

Archaeological technician vs laboratory analyst overview

	Archaeological Technician	Laboratory Analyst
Yearly salary	$35,787	$44,024
Hourly rate	$17.21	$21.17
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	7,638	44,074
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 78%	Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	2	2

What does an archaeological technician do?

The archaeological technician is someone who operates all the necessary equipment in an archeological dig. The archeological technician will provide all of the equipment and tools needed for excavation and maintain it to reduce its wear and tear. Tools commonly carried by an archeological technician are digging tools, metal detectors, GPS equipment, and other miscellaneous articles needed for excavation. The archeological technician must have a solid background in archeology or a degree of the same nature in the humanities and social sciences.

What does a laboratory analyst do?

A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.

Archaeological technician vs laboratory analyst salary

Archaeological technicians and laboratory analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Archaeological Technician	Laboratory Analyst
Average salary	$35,787	$44,024
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $44,000	Between $31,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	Portland, OR	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	New York
Best paying company	TRC Companies	AbbVie
Best paying industry	Government	Pharmaceutical

Differences between archaeological technician and laboratory analyst education

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

	Archaeological Technician	Laboratory Analyst
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 78%	Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common major	Anthropology	Biology
Most common college	Harvard University	Stanford University

Archaeological technician vs laboratory analyst demographics

Here are the differences between archaeological technicians' and laboratory analysts' demographics:

	Archaeological Technician	Laboratory Analyst
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 51.7% Female, 48.3%	Male, 48.3% Female, 51.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 9.5% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between archaeological technician and laboratory analyst duties and responsibilities

Archaeological technician example responsibilities.

Manage daily RCRA inspections and mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment preventive/corrective maintenance procedures.
Enter field data into standard archaeological forms and create archaeological site maps using a GPS unit and ArcGIS software.
Utilize GIS analysis to assist with locating and mitigating archaeological sites.
Clear atv trails and place cattle guards for atv use.
Work with compass, GPS, aerial photos, and topographical maps to survey a corridor for the client.
Perform trouble-shooting of excavations as required.

Laboratory analyst example responsibilities.

Use sophisticate laboratory instrumentation (HPLC, FTIR, UV, GC) and computer systems to collect and record data.
Analyze organic compounds using gravimetric, titration, distillation and spectrophotometry methods.
Prepare for and represent the laboratory during FDA, customer, and ISO audits.
Complete preparation of organic samples for GC, HPLC, IR and GCMS analysis.
Prepare solid and aqueous samples for analysis on diagnostic instruments including GC, GCMS and IC.
Utilize internal LIMS computer database for data entry and communication.

Archaeological technician vs laboratory analyst skills

Common archaeological technician skills

GPS, 25%
GIS, 9%
Excavations, 7%
Resource Management, 6%
Data Collection, 6%
Data Entry, 5%

Common laboratory analyst skills

Test Methods, 8%
Lab Equipment, 7%
Lims, 5%
Laboratory Procedures, 5%
Sample Preparation, 5%
Analytical Methods, 4%

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Archaeological Technician vs Laboratory Analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

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