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The differences between asbestos microscopists and research laboratory technicians 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 research laboratory technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an asbestos microscopist has an average salary of $57,182, which is higher than the $38,308 average annual salary of a research laboratory technician.
The top three skills for an asbestos microscopist include PLM, TEM and electron microscope. The most important skills for a research laboratory technician are patients, chemistry, and laboratory equipment.
| Asbestos Microscopist | Research Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $57,182 | $38,308 |
| Hourly rate | $27.49 | $18.42 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 249 | 86,476 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 39 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
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.
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.
Asbestos microscopists and research laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Asbestos Microscopist | Research Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $57,182 | $38,308 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $98,000 | Between $30,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Chicago, IL |
| Highest paying state | - | Illinois |
| Best paying company | - | Accenture |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an asbestos microscopist and a research laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Asbestos Microscopist | Research Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between asbestos microscopists' and research laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Asbestos Microscopist | Research Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 39 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.7% Female, 33.3% | Male, 49.0% Female, 51.0% |
| 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, 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 | 16% | 6% |