Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between biological science technicians and biology laboratory assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a biological science technician and a biology laboratory assistant. Additionally, a biological science technician has an average salary of $35,390, which is higher than the $34,240 average annual salary of a biology laboratory assistant.
The top three skills for a biological science technician include laboratory equipment, data collection and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a biology laboratory assistant are lab equipment, biology laboratory, and chemistry.
| Biological Science Technician | Biology Laboratory Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $35,390 | $34,240 |
| Hourly rate | $17.01 | $16.46 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 13,801 | 48,958 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A biological science technician is responsible for supporting scientists in conducting laboratory experiments and examinations. Biological science technicians perform data analysis procedures, evaluate findings, and create data reports. They also ensure the cleanliness of the laboratory, including the laboratory tools and equipment, to prevent contamination that may affect the accuracy of test results. A biological science technician must have excellent scientific knowledge, especially on the application of scientific methods, assessing research studies, and other related scientific principles.
A biology laboratory assistant is in charge of assisting scientists or researchers and performing laboratory support tasks on a daily basis. Their responsibilities include setting up and sanitizing equipment, preparing samples, maintaining documentation of all experiments and procedures, writing laboratory reports, and running errands as needed. There are also instances where they must update databases, answer calls and correspondence, and grade student papers. Furthermore, a biology laboratory assistant must maintain the cleanliness of laboratories, all while implementing its policies and regulations.
Biological science technicians and biology laboratory assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Biological Science Technician | Biology Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average salary | $35,390 | $34,240 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $47,000 | Between $22,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Watertown Town, MA | Bridgewater, MA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | SenesTech | Massachusetts General Hospital |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between a biological science technician and a biology laboratory assistant in terms of educational background:
| Biological Science Technician | Biology Laboratory Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between biological science technicians' and biology laboratory assistants' demographics:
| Biological Science Technician | Biology Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.0% Female, 49.0% | Male, 36.7% Female, 63.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 12.7% White, 53.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4% | Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 14.9% White, 50.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |