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The differences between asbestos microscopists and chemistry laboratory assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an asbestos microscopist, becoming a chemistry laboratory assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an asbestos microscopist has an average salary of $57,182, which is higher than the $30,971 average annual salary of a chemistry laboratory assistant.
The top three skills for an asbestos microscopist include PLM, TEM and electron microscope. The most important skills for a chemistry laboratory assistant are lab equipment, lab safety, and chemistry lab.
| Asbestos Microscopist | Chemistry Laboratory Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $57,182 | $30,971 |
| Hourly rate | $27.49 | $14.89 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 249 | 40,180 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
Asbestos microscopists prepare and analyze materials for asbestos fibers. These professionals complete material analyses correctly and give updates about the results. They perform data entry precisely and efficiently and maintain and calibrate microscopes to improve their accuracy. Also, Asbestos microscopists attend scheduled training seminars and departmental meetings. Other duties performed by Asbestos microscopists include maintaining professional attendance for scheduled shifts and accurately identifying challenging samples. Moreover, Asbestos microscopists establish and maintain excellent relationships with other staff members.
Chemical Laboratory Assistants are professionals who help researchers and scientists in performing lab experiments and tests. Their tasks involve the maintenance, cleanliness, or sterilization of laboratory equipment or instruments. They perform physical or chemical laboratory tests assisting scientists in the quantitative or qualitative analyses of liquids, gaseous materials, and solids. The necessary skills and knowledge for this job include chemistry, lab reporting, chemical solutions, and safety procedures.
Asbestos microscopists and chemistry laboratory assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Asbestos Microscopist | Chemistry Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average salary | $57,182 | $30,971 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $98,000 | Between $16,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | - | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | - | Pace University |
| Best paying industry | - | Education |
There are a few differences between an asbestos microscopist and a chemistry laboratory assistant in terms of educational background:
| Asbestos Microscopist | Chemistry Laboratory Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Biology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between asbestos microscopists' and chemistry laboratory assistants' demographics:
| Asbestos Microscopist | Chemistry Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.7% Female, 33.3% | Male, 45.5% Female, 54.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 81.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 9.5% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 9% |