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The differences between assistant laboratory technicians and laboratory animal technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an assistant laboratory technician and a laboratory animal technician. Additionally, an assistant laboratory technician has an average salary of $35,556, which is higher than the $30,382 average annual salary of a laboratory animal technician.
The top three skills for an assistant laboratory technician include patients, ladders and computer lab. The most important skills for a laboratory animal technician are animal handling, animal husbandry, and research animals.
| Assistant Laboratory Technician | Laboratory Animal Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $35,556 | $30,382 |
| Hourly rate | $17.09 | $14.61 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 20% |
| Number of jobs | 116,488 | 63,768 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 44 | 32 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
The primary responsibility of a lab assistant is to help scientists and technologists. Lab assistants are assigned to prepare and monitor tests and experiments in research or medical laboratory. They analyze data and establish reports based on test results. Also, they set up the tools and equipment used in the lab. It is also part of their job to clean the lab rooms--knowledge in lab management, communication skills, attention to detail, and medical-related management.
A laboratory animal technician is responsible for conducting animal research studies by observing and analyzing animal nature and conditions. Laboratory animal technicians maintain the safety and cleanliness of animal cages, supply them food and water, and administer medications as needed. They also take samples for laboratory examinations, monitor the adequacy of inventories, and sterilize tools and equipment. A laboratory animal technician writes finding reports, logs information on the database, and coordinates with other animal experts for study validations.
Assistant laboratory technicians and laboratory animal technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Assistant Laboratory Technician | Laboratory Animal Technician | |
| Average salary | $35,556 | $30,382 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $57,000 | Between $22,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Manchester, NH | Santa Cruz, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Patterson-UTI Energy | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an assistant laboratory technician and a laboratory animal technician in terms of educational background:
| Assistant Laboratory Technician | Laboratory Animal Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Maryland - College Park | Ohio State University |
Here are the differences between assistant laboratory technicians' and laboratory animal technicians' demographics:
| Assistant Laboratory Technician | Laboratory Animal Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 32 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4% | Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 2.1% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 9% |