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The differences between assistant laboratory technicians and technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an assistant laboratory technician, becoming a technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a technician has an average salary of $38,045, which is higher than the $35,556 average annual salary of an assistant laboratory technician.
The top three skills for an assistant laboratory technician include patients, ladders and computer lab. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Assistant Laboratory Technician | Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $35,556 | $38,045 |
| Hourly rate | $17.09 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 116,488 | 596,842 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
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.
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.
Assistant laboratory technicians and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Assistant Laboratory Technician | Technician | |
| Average salary | $35,556 | $38,045 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $57,000 | Between $24,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Manchester, NH | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Patterson-UTI Energy | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | - | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between an assistant laboratory technician and a technician in terms of educational background:
| Assistant Laboratory Technician | Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Biology | Business |
| Most common college | University of Maryland - College Park | - |
Here are the differences between assistant laboratory technicians' and technicians' demographics:
| Assistant Laboratory Technician | Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4% | Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8% |
| 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, 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 | 8% | 2% |