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The differences between biological technicians and biologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a biological technician, becoming a biologist takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a biologist has an average salary of $65,158, which is higher than the $43,572 average annual salary of a biological technician.
The top three skills for a biological technician include GPS, lab equipment and data collection. The most important skills for a biologist are data collection, GPS, and renewable energy.
| Biological Technician | Biologist | |
| Yearly salary | $43,572 | $65,158 |
| Hourly rate | $20.95 | $31.33 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 9,182 | 5,741 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 8 |
A biological technician is in charge of performing laboratory support tasks, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. Their responsibilities typically revolve around gathering and preparing samples, operating laboratory equipment, conducting analysis and experiments, recording every progress, and maintaining documentation. They may also coordinate with other technicians and scientists in various research and development efforts, summarizing findings into reports and presentations. Furthermore, as a laboratory technician, it is essential to maintain the cleanliness and order in the laboratory, all while adhering to its policies and regulations.
A biologist is a specialized scientist focusing on studying living organisms and their relationship to the existing ecosystem. Biologists spend lots of time doing research and validating theories to support the complexity of the living matter. In some cases, biologists could also be out in the field rather than staying in a laboratory to collect biological specimens to justify their findings and create reports from their scientific investigations. Biologists also often communicate with government entities and private industries to provide recommendations on preserving the ecosystem and wildlife habitat.
Biological technicians and biologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Biological Technician | Biologist | |
| Average salary | $43,572 | $65,158 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $61,000 | Between $46,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | New York |
| Best paying company | Bristol-Myers Squibb | |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a biological technician and a biologist in terms of educational background:
| Biological Technician | Biologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of California, Berkeley |
Here are the differences between biological technicians' and biologists' demographics:
| Biological Technician | Biologist | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.2% Female, 46.8% | Male, 51.4% Female, 48.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 12.6% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 10.4% White, 71.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 10% |